Chamberlain's Charge on Little Round Top - "Gettysburg" (1993)
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2022
- "You mean chaaage?" Today is the anniversary of one of the most iconic moments depicted in the 1993 film "Gettysburg." Due to this cinematic depiction, the charge of the 20th Maine has taken on legendary proportions. To see how this scene measures up to real history, view our analysis at: • History Professor Brea... .
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Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform. For host Jared Frederick and producer Andrew Collins, these episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcome. The views expressed are our own and do not necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
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In addition to our historical breakdown on our channel, check out this article from our friends at the American Battlefield Trust: www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/defense-little-round-top
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wow nice clout spamming maybe just let the scene speak for itself
@@larryyy4461, read our channel description. Get over it.
BAYONETS! I don't care how many times I see this, the command still makes my hair stand up.
Chamberlain became a brigadier. He was terribly wounded in Grant’s campaign against Lee. He was promoted to Major General as no one expected him to live. Yet, he did return to active duty. At Appomattox he was placed in charge of the Confederate surrender. He had his men to stand to attention as the Confederate troops passed to stack their arms.
He went home to serve two terms as Governor of Maine. He then returned to lead Bowden College. He had many operations but he suffered for the rest of his life. He did attend the 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg.
I hate to be that guy, but some statements here are false. When Chamberlain was wounded, he was a colonel in command of a brigade. Grant promoted him on the spot to brigadier general, which was the rank he held almost until the end of the war, when he was breveted Major General. He also served four one-year terms as Governor. He did not attend the 50th anniversary of Gettysburg due to ill health.
I freely admit to errors on my part. He served 4 one year terms as Governor. I was wrong about the 50th. He was too ill to attend. I believe was consulted about the planning for the 50th. @@nedajenyap
Even though he died at quite an old age, he is still considered to died of his old war wounds.... So technically they say he is the last casualty of the Civil War...
A Brave Man ‼️🇨🇦
@@nedajenyap I hate to be that guy. But Chamberlain was wounds 6 different times.
I am not even American & this scene gives me chills every time. This is without a doubt one of the greatest chapters in US history. The North was profoundly lucky to have an officer of Chamberlain’s calibre.
America as we know it may not have been the same without this pivotal moment and without that courageous and absolutely ballsy order chamberlain gave
Likewise, it's hard not to get a little excited at the sound of BAYONETS!!!! whether you're American or not
I think my favorite part of re-enacting the 60th Royal Americans is fixing bayonets during the manual exercise
Every officer on that hill performed magnificently. If it wasn't Chamberlain another would have held the line. That was the quality of the officer corps of the Army of the Potomac in July 1863. All battle hardened leaders by then. Cowards and oppurtunistsbwere long gone.
@@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883 I am honestly not so sure of that. According to independent international observers of the war effort by the Union, they had very strong words expressing a lack of faith in the Union officer corps. According to the subject matter experts of the day, Chamberlain was an exception to the relatively low standard the Union had by reputation. That being said, there were many officers the Union had that were exceptional, equal to Chamberlain’s high standard but they were very much in the minority. I rather lean on the well informed primary sources of subject matter experts over any secondary sources.
Once while on Little Round Top-
I looked around to make sure no one was looking, this Topsham, Maine boy- made the charge👍
I grew up not far from Gettysburg and made the charge myself a time or two as a youngin.
And the ghosts on the hill give salute.
Yankee
Made sure no one was looking? My friend, you were traveling in the footsteps of giants--be proud of imitating them.
@@rikk319
Well said🫡
Stepping away from the military tactics etc for a moment, I just want to comment on Jeff Daniels' acting. I've watched Gettysburg several times, and I then think of him in Dumb & Dumber, and just can't believe it's the same actor. What a talent!
There's a wonderful video on RUclips of how the director and producers correctly decided on Daniels for the role. Based on his past work, they knew Daniels to be the perfect actor to portray the warrior/scholar that Chamberlain was. That Daniels did even better than expected is to his further credit.
You know how for no good reason you like some actors and dislike others? I have never been much of a Jeff Daniels fan...........until I saw this.
Watch him as George Washington in The Crossing. When Daniels walks onto the room and says I AM WASHINGTON, you honestly believe he is. Amazing actor
I believe that the director originally wanted to cast Russel Crowe for the part but the studio nixed the idea because hew was an unknown at the time.
"For God's sake, just gimme the damn number!!!"
I almost cry with pride and humility...he held the line..else the union would have been flanked. Because of this the union held. He is a national treasure in your country.
Born, raised and lived in Maine my entire life. When I was in the Maine National Guard I had more than one First Sergeant who would make you write an essay if you were a new soldier who didn’t know who Joshua Chamberlain was.
That’s freaking awesome!
I'd write that essay even if I didn't have to
U shud be proud off this unit from maine if the rebs had got over that hill it would have been a disaster for the union hero s all and the rest off the union regiments kicked that south's arse🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I'm amazed at how Chamberlain still can run carrying those big brass balls of steel.
The man was an amazing commander. I just read an article about him on Wikipedia and can't help but amazed by his heroism.
Gravity pulled him downhill.
And if you think that he fought the last half of the war with a CATHETER, and nevertless was capable to fight again 'til the end.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was the epitome of a Civil War commander; a college professor with no military experience who rose through the ranks to become eventually a general.
Brave men like Joshua Chamberlain rarely live to a ripe old age, but it's men like that who make history.
Chamberlain held until his men could no longer shoot back, but he still obeyed his orders, by simply taking and holding the rebel’s positions instead
After seeing this film in a large cinema in Cambridge, MA; and then reading several books about Chamberlain; I was inspired to give my son the middle name, Chamberlain. Scholar, warrior and humanitarian.
My middle name is Joshua, after this great man 😊
I stood on that ground on a foggy early morning. Having been a soldier myself I had a relationship similar to these men that had to embrace the suck and deal with what they were given. I found the place uncomfortable knowing what had happened there, kept feeling like I was being watched but no one was there but me. Compared to the other monuments the 20th Maine is simple, straightforward and solid like the men that fought there. Rest in peace
You were being watched.... By those of the 20th Maine who fell there. Same thing happened to me at Normandy.
I have felt those ghosts...in other places. Your best bets? Accept them being there, and respect them.
@@PilotHawkeye👍🇦🇺
@@mister-v-3086👍🇦🇺
You were a soldier. I was an airman. You WERE being watched, and when I make it out there, so will I be watched. Nothing to be afraid of, just our older brothers having our back.
My favorite scene in the movie comes just after this when Col. Chamberlain's victorious Federals are leading the Confederate prisoners back to Union lines. One of the Northern soldiers whispers to the colonel, "I'm moving these Rebs along with an empty rifle." Chamberlain smiles and replies, "Shh, don't let them hear you say that."
the funny thing is that at the time, it wouldn't have mattered. Sure... *he* may have been out of ammo, but his bayonet was still sharp, and there was no guarantee that the others were out (in the minds of the Rebs). On top of that, they were tired, hungry, and demoralized. For them, the war was over.
For me the scene was very emotional when the other colonel wanted to shake his hand because of his bayonet attack and that as a rather not so emotional man. It always gives me a lump in my throat. Although I have to say that I liked General Longstreet most in this movie.
I didn't know if he said "not so loud" or "that's allowed".
@@shanebell2514 This is my all-time favorite movie, and I've seen it a number of times. So I'm pretty confident when I tell you he said, _"Not so loud."_
@@pcbacklash_3261 Thanks.
If youve ever spent some time in the military you will appreciate this scene even more, for the importance of leadership
I have studied many battles throughout history as a historian and his scene moves me greatly every time a watch it. I have studied American history and in my opinion it at Gettysburg the USA was born as a nation! So much so that the Gettysburg Address " One Nation Before God" is confused by so many as a part of the Constitution.
@@khankrum1 Japan's Sekigahara battle is sometimes called the Gettysburg of Japan. A pivotal moment in its history.
Jeff Daniels portrayal....perfect!
Joshua Chamberlain is my favorite officer in U. S. military history. Hail to the 20th Maine.
I'd have to respectfully give that to Richard Winters, myself.
I put both of them in my top 10 list.
Think of all the men of their caliber who never thought to write down their memories or were never interviewed--or gave the last full measure of courage and died before their tale could be told. Thankfully, they weren't the only men of their caliber.
@@rikk319 , well said.
He and Albert Sidney Johnston are my Favorites, Admirable Men and Leaders
I'm from Alabama and had ancestors that opposed Col. Chamberlain at Gettysburg. Still I can't help but admiring the man! He was truly a Golden Knight from another age.
Definitely.
The ironic thing is that his southern opponents, your ancestors, actually felt the same way about him.
One of my greatest memories is tracing out the path my ancestors made when I visited Little Round Top a quarter of a century ago
Respect.
Southern Alabama woodsmen being introduced to northern Maine woodsmen. Epic.
What makes this charge even more impressive was that they formed up for the charge and pivoted like a door on a hinge.....a difficult feat under the best of circumstance and those were NOT the best of circumstances. An outstanding feat of leadership and bravery
...and VERY creative thinking. His tactic was ahead of its time.
@eq1373 actually it was straight out of the army manual of the time, which is why chamberlain was able to recall it at that critical moment; he was a scholar at heart, a school-teacher during peacetime, and certainly would have done his reading.
@@hockema56 Yes, Chamberlain was well-known at the time for reading up on the manual!
I don't care what anyone says, this is still the best performance ever put in by Jeff Daniels in anything. Bar none. When he screams out the bayonets command, absolute chills
Only to be topped by his performance in Dumb and Dumber the following year /s
Lol
Well his performance in "the newsroom" - especially the discussion about the best country in the world - is at least ... similar
A few of my friends were there for this shoot. I was an extra in some of the Pickett’s Charge scenes shot in August, 1992. This was filmed in September, almost 30 years ago. No CGI here.
No CGI. Thank God!
@@oldprankster7606 Yes. I think Gettysburg and Gods And Generals will be among the last movies using “thousands of extras” rather than CGI. “Napoleon” comes out soon. It will show massive battles like Austerlitz and Waterloo. An interview with the director indicates they used 300 infantry and 100 cavalry in the battle scenes. I’m sure they used CGI to make those 400 look like thousands.
In all honesty, this is literally the best scene in the entire movie.
There is no doubt about that! I remember when I first saw this movie in the theater, they had an intermission right after this scene. I had read the book the movie's based on (The Killer Angels), and this scene was the highlight of the book. Up to that point I had watched too many movies that had never adequately conveyed the power of the book I had read, until that moment. As the intermission lights went up, feeling a great deal of satisfaction, I stood up and ruminated on the greatness of what I had just seen.
@@ordinarypeople20 Sam Elliot's scenes in the beginning are really good too.
@@selewachm Right! Certainly his work in this film is another favorite of mine!
According to family lore, my ancestral cousin Private Willard Woodhouse Buxton of K Company was unable to make the charge, but witnessed it as he had fallen wounded early in the battle. He died a week later of his wounds in a field hospital. His body was returned to Maine where he was buried. His name is on the 20th Maine monument at Little Round Top. He was 19 years old.
Respect for your ancestral hero.
My x3 great grandfather was there with yours on the left flank under Ellis in Co. G
Ehh! Glad to hear he survived the battle, the war and his mother-in-law.
According to my uncle, my grandfather met Chamberlain once.
Our family lived across the river from the college.
My grandfather was born in 1895 in Topsham, Maine.
Funny how events we think of as long ago really weren't if you think hard. My father once met the son of Captain Lord, captain of the Californian, the ship that depending on who you listen to failed to go to the Titanic's assistance. His son always insisted his father did nothing wrong and only acted in the way any captain would have in his position
@@neilholmes8200
I’ve heard recently that maybe he did act properly- can’t remember the details now🙄
@@richardmardis2492 from what I've read it seems likely that he didn't do a lot wrong, but didn't do as much as he could have.
One example was I believe he was woken up and warned that those on watch were seeing what later turned out to be the flares fired by Titanic. No one really appreciated that they were distress flares. He could have woken up his radio operator to check if anything was on the radio, but chose not to. Radio was still in its infancy and californian only had one operator who had gone to bed shortly before the iceberg was hit.
Certainly Rostrom of Carpathia moved heaven and earth to help and Lord may well have done the same had he known what was happening, but he made some crucial decisions that kept him unaware of the situation
"We can't run away, if we stay here we can't shoot so let's fix bayonets"
Such bravery, from both sides. War is terrible but soldiers are heroes
@@seanmelhuish3898 There was a violent rebellion to the United States of America. No both sides there. They were eventually crushed after hundreds of thousands of lives lost. Do you know why Arlington National Cemetery is where it is? Most wars are unjust? Isn't obvious in most wars which side that is?
We can't run away, if we stay here we can't shoot so let's put on the kettle and have some pumpkin pie
I showed this movie to a group of 5th grade gifted students in North Georgia. Chamberlain's charge was their favorite part and they requested to watch it again. So we did. Jeff Daniels yelling "bayonets" is the most moving moment.
Great to hear.
Bayonets!!!
Daniels portrayed Chamberlain using his voice to put just that much more steel into his men's spines for the inevitable. That's what a true leader excels at.
"Now we'll see how professors fight."
His brigade commander earlier that day.
Unfortunately Colonel Strong Vincent would not live to see Chamberlain's Charge. He was mortally wounded during the Battle of Little Round Top.
Honestly Chamberlain deserves his own biopic! An extraordinary and important American hero!
I totally agree with you on that statement!!!
The big question would be.... who'd play him? Sure, you could get this actor (Jeff Danials) to play him in his later years, but who would be able to best play the man during his younger years, and his wartime service?
It's 12:15 in the morning, I should be doing my math homework, but the Union's little prance down the hill has to be the funniest thing I've seen in a while.
Also, I love this scene so much. Gives me the chills every time I watch it.
it's steeper then it looks.
In fairness, the extras are reinactors who brought their own replica rifles and bayonets. I imagine they didn't want to accidentally trip or accidentally stab an fellow reenacter on the other side.
He was crow-hopping like that because he'd been shot in the leg/foot.
The greatest moment of the entire movie. The true birth of this glorious America that we love and cherish.
Sometimes the smallest moments have the biggest ripples. 1 charge broke the attack. Chamberlin is and always will be a true hero
Call it a-historical, call it dramatic license, call it over the top... but I defy anyone to not get a little affected by "BAYONEEETTS!!!!"
It's one of the most stirring moments in military movie history. Whether or not you feel Chamberlains charge was a very important moment in the battle, the decision to charge and not run away is one of the bravest and boldest moments in American military history.
Just as stirring is the answering call from the men of "Arrgh!"
and yet it happened!
Along with the charge of the First Minnesota on, I believe, the next day with a soberingly high rate of casualties.
Jeff Daniels portrayed Chamberlain as the analytical college professor until he gave the command. Then he released the beast! "BAYONEEETTS!!!!"
The last order anyone wants to hear. Fixing bayonets means stuff is about to get real.....
Being from Maine this moment has a special place in my heart and this was depicted amazingly
I saw this in a theater when it first came out, and a dozen men jumped to their feet yelling "YEAH" and "GO" without thinking about it, me included. It's the most powerful battle scene in the history of war movies.
I believe in the scene, how Jeff Daniel’s didn’t receive recognition for his acting is beyond me.
Glorious! Three titbits about Chamberlain. You'll notice he has a strange gait running down the hill; he had been shot in the foot earlier. The incident where he wound up face to face with a Reb who tried to shoot him and either was empty or misfired really happened, and Chamberlain graciously spared him. There was another Reb Chamberlain never saw you had him in his sights multiple times and could have killed him with ease, but something about Chamberlain stayed his hand, each and every time. Years later he wrote Chamberlain telling him how they had "met" years. Naturally Chamberlain was deeply moved. Chamberlain saved the Union. The professor who be came a god of war (small g).
Saw the movie. Ten years later had the opportunity to stand atop that ground. As a 20 infantry veteran, I was in tears thinking about what those men, on both sides, went through that day.
Jeff Daniels is amazing in this movie.
My great great grandfather was a member of the 15th Alabama inf. He was wounded in this charge and he was cared for be the men of the 20 Maine saved his life. If not for those Maine scrappers I wouldn't exist.
Even as a brit to think of this strategy clearly and having the courage to carry it out shows the stature of the man but the men with him are never forgotten
It's said that the tactic was a very obscure one that Chamberlain (who had no military experience) had read in a training manual some time before and filed away in his brain ready to implement it when the situation arose.
While retreat was not an option, giving a fight to the last man standing order with exhausted troops depleted of ammunition would have been disastrous. But giving his men the metaphorical ace in the hole that a surprise charge that may have looked suicidal on paper, but their best chance to survive and win and went with it.
Meade was by no means an exceptional general, had several key subordinates like Chamberlain who helped him save the Union that day.
Kicked Lee's ass that day though. Well those three days.
And Hancock. "There are times when a corps commander's life does not count."--said when the Confederate artillery bombardment was coming in and he refused to get off of his horse, instead sitting tall for his men to see and rally around. He took a leg wound later, but survived the war and even ran for President years later.
I'm a proud born and raised Texan through and through and my ancestors fought in the Texas Brigade alongside Stonewall Jackson, but hearing a speech from Chamberlain and seeing his bravery against the odds inspires great respect from me. He stood his ground despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation and won the fight. That I can respect.
And remarkably, his plan actually worked. Smart man
This is such a beautiful score!!!!
Gives me chills every single time. Chamberlain was and is a huge idol of mine and always will be. To be in command of such a beaten and battered unit, almost completely out of ammo, and your officers around you ready to turn tail and run. Decided to be the badass and lead the charge down to the traitors and protect the rest of the Union Army behind them. Ended up routing them right away and saving the second day of the battle in favor of the Union. It will always be iconic for me. Studied him hard while in the military. Just wished I stayed in long enough to become an officer and join the greats like him.
I don't remember how many "greats" he was, but Chamberlain is my uncle, married into my family on my grandmother's side, my grandfather was a huge family history buff and he would always talk about how amazing Chamberlain was and how lucky I was to be related to him. After going to Gettysburg and then watching the movie and learning the history, yeah he was totally right. If only I had been more interested while my grandpa was still around
“A college professor from Maine who on a little hill in Pennsylvania ordered an unlikely textbook maneuver that saved the Union Army and quite possibly the Union itself…”
Aaah, a Ken Burns fan.
Wow! After reading the comments, I never realized how many others were as deeply affected by this scene as I am (still, every single time).
Talk about an awesome example of having the ‘high ground’.
159 years ago today, these battle depicted on screen took place. May we never forget these boys on both sides.
Naw, we can forget about the boys on the confederate side. They fought for a horrible cause, on the wrong side of history. They are forgotten as far as I’m concerned.
@@hereef1
You dishonor honorable men. Disgusting. The South had seceded. Done deal. A right granted by the Constitution. The union was not disposed to let that happen. In other words, were not disposed to live by the constitution.
It is offensive that the Confederacy is blamed for fighting for slavery when only a few had slaves, but the overwhelming majority of Southerners just wanted to be free of the north. And still do.
@@7owlfthr bubba, listen not gonna debate this thing with you. The south fought for a horrible cause on the wrong side of history. Don’t take my word. Read the first couple of paragraphs in Mississippi’s succession letter for leaving the Union. They explain what the Civil War was all about. Cheers.
@@hereef1 likewise.
@@hereef1yeah arguing with Lost Causers gets you nowhere. "But taxes" "but states rights".
All I say is usually what you did. Just read the Confederate States own words in nearly every single piece of documentation on why they left the union. If you don't believe it from the horses mouth, there's no way you're gonna believe me. 🤷♂️
I tried doing the charge - both Pickett’s and Chamberlain’s.
Chamberlain’s was a fight not to faceplant the ground, that’s how steep the hills are - imagine having a rifle and many boys behind you
The charge was unstoppable.
Pickets on the other hand…was a draw out charge…if anything, it should be known as Picket’s Walk. Open ground. Obstacles. In plain view. The only thing that was missing was a Calvary charge with banners that scream “shoot me!”
Since they had to get to the line together, they couldn't all out run. And it was a very long distance that they had to cover. Union knew they would slow up at the obstacles and targeted them with cannon right there. It was for the most part suicidal.
Been there myself.
"We'll have the advantage of falling down the hill."
@@cejannuzi in the film Longstreet argues against it, and to his credit, he was right. Nearly a mile over open ground, the union had the strong stone wall as they did at Fredericksburg, "No fifteen thousand men ever created can take that hill".
I still remember when my family visited Gettysburg and toured the battlefield. I learned how it was the one battle that reverse tactics played a big role as to why the Union forces beat the Confederates there. Lee and his generals usually fought a defensive battle, like at Fredericksburg, and let the Federals attack against amassed troops and guns behind emplacements. But Gettysburg was different because the Union forces were fighting a defensive battle with the Confederates doing the attacking. Gettysburg was where Lee showed he could be beaten. I enjoyed this video of Chamberlain's defense and attack on Little Round Top as well as the movie and one day I would like to revisit the battlefield before I get too old and broke.
Me too! 👍
The Civil War was a dress rehearsal for World War I, that's for sure.
I find so much joy in watching extras in war movies. The lack of effort in some background fights gets me every time.
The Alabama regiment commander had never lost before, and he said he had never fought the 20th Maine until that battle. Or words to that effect…
Well, if the boss wants to make a bayonet attack, then we'll do it. Not only does he command him, he takes over one of the two halves. Doesn't look particularly elegant, but there's a hole in his foot where it doesn't belong. Those brief, stunned looks from the officers, which immediately turn to confidence,
because you have a lot of self-confidence. And as I said, the boss is fully involved. The soldiers don't even ask because it's in the repertoire. "Leadership from the front" is what we call it here in Germany + natural authority, no nervous yelling from would-be bosses, which tells you that things are definitely going to go wrong.
This gentleman was a fascinating personality + the courage and self-confidence of all his soldiers also comes from the feeling of unity.
Donal Logue as Captain Ellis. Did not know it was him for years, hiding under the beard.
Indeed. He took us some time too.
I looked it up and you are right. I looked it up because, frankly, in this film he doesn't look or sound like the Donal Logue I've seen in other stuff. Thanks, man!
War is not a thing to be celebrated or glorified, and the civil war is not a part of the nation's proud history, yet I've watched this scene time and time over and I still got chills down my spine every time with the scream of "Bayonet"!
Here Chamberlain won the battle, and probably the war.
Ellis would go on to command the 20th Maine when Chamberlain was promoted.
And this scene gives me goosebumps and makes me weep.
Best combat scene ever, along with the attack on Battery Wagner in Glory.
The distance from the position of the 20th Maine to the bottom of the hill was quite short compared to what they showed in the movie.
Not as bad as the fact that in "Glory", the 54th Massachusetts was marching the wrong way - south along the Atlantic, rather than to the north, where Fort Wagner actually was,
Excellent and wonderful clip. When visiting Gettysburg, memories of this film often help me to remember what these people braved, endured, and went through - Absolutely F#(%ing crazy. Huge Cheers to those Guys and God Speed!
'
I try to watch the director's cut once a year, a birthday present from my children.
Cheers!
Chamberlain was from Bouldin College but someone else was too.If you've seen the series The Pacific you know who I'm talking about.Great film.Great acting.
RIP Captain Haldane and General Chamberlain. I would like to think they met in the great hereafter to swap stories.
One of the greatest example of pure Leadership. “Move”.
The Southern troops at this point were exhausted. They marched all day to Gettysburg. Then head right to little round top. And pushed that line over and over again. Eventually stopped cold by Chamberlains tenacity.
Men from Texas and Maine meet on a hill in Pennsylvania and shoot at each other.. Civil War was a wild time.
The Confederates had indeed marched about 25 miles to get there since the night before. The Mainers had marched about 15 miles the day before.
The Confederates that the 20th Maine fought weren't from Texas- they were the 15th Alabama Regiment.
Alabama was there. If I'm correct, it was General Longstreet from Texas who advised against it. Out-politicked. Maybe that's where the gentleman got the "Texas" from. These were brave, sleep-deprived, exhausted men from Alabama. They are honored still.
@@7owlfthr Longstreet was from South Carolina. He was the corps commander who advised against the overall attack and wanted to go further around to the right. John Bell Hood was the division commander, who was from Texas. There were two Texas regiments that fought the rest of the Union brigade on the other side of Little Round Top though.
@@WBookout10 thanks for the correction! Facts are important, & I was recalling this erroneously from years ago. Appreciate the info!
I did remember he tried hard to prevent this disaster!
Joshua Chamberlain:
- Decorated Civil War hero
- Accomplished Professor at Bowdoin College
- 4x Governor of Maine
- Quite Possibly the Greatest Mainer To Have Ever Lived
This is my favorite scene from the movie.
Every ancestor of mine alive at the time lived in the South. I know that I had at least 3 ancestors in the Texas Division at Gettysburg. This movie captures the humanity of the battle. I also love the book.
What I love about the real action is that Chamberlain didn't even need to explain or even MAKE the order to fix bayonets and charge. His men did it on their own initiative because that was what Chamberlain and his officers had trained them to do.
That to me is even more impressive an evidence of leadership than this gloriously epic portrayal of an epic moment.
Gouverneur K. Warren was the real hero of Little/Big Roundtop. While the yanks were focused on Devil's Den, Warren spotted these two unprotected hills. It was from his encouragement that any soldiers were there to defend. Credit to Chamberlain, too. No disrespect to his great action.
Warren rightfully has his own statue at the top of the hill. He saw the danger and immediately called for assistance.
I have always felt that Josh Chamberlain is the reason we still have a United States of America and not two separate but unequal countries on the continent.
Probably the most pivotal decision and moment meeting head on. Definitely a strong argument for it 👍
The importance of Little Round Top, and the importance of the 20th Maine at Little Round Top, has been quite exaggerated -- mostly by none other than Chamberlain himself, after the war. He was well-known for his Civil War braggadocio.
Had the Alabama regiments driven the 20th Maine off the hill, they would have faced the entire fresh Union VI Corps rushing in to reinforce the position. Having suffered heavy casualties, exhausted, out of water and out of ammo, without any nearby reinforcements, they would not have been able to hold the hill for very long. If you've ever been there, you'll see plainly that moving artillery onto the summit would have been immensely difficult, especially under fire, and would not have offered enfilade fire on the Union line.
The 140th New York made an equally desperate and heroic charge down Little Round Top, led by Paddy O'Rorke, who was killed in the charge.
I have always felt that Little Round Top held because of Strong Vincent, Paddy O'Rorke, Charles Hazlett, and Stephen Weed -- mostly 20-somethings who led their units bravely and heroically to defend the position. They were all killed there, however, so they never got to tell their stories. Chamberlain was able to take the credit, and many now deem, somewhat unfairly.
He saved the U.S.
Sometimes small decisions made by those facing the wrath at critical moments can become decisive in a battle, irrespective of the size of the forces involved.
Sometimes it's not the size of the dog in a fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
This was an amazing scene. Personally, I think the classic spoiling attack of the 1st Minnesota is an even better story, but this was pretty good. Also, it puts the successful attack of the Army of the Cumberland at Missionary Ridge in better perspective.
And that is in the film. You see them charging in during Pickets Charge (if you know your history, that is the 1st Minnesota charging into the fur ball), even if they're depicted as PA troops.
One of Jeff Daniels greatest performances! Such a moving scene and so well acted by all involved. It makes one feel as if they are there. Not to mention the score in the background-so moving. Such a difficult time in our countries history, but so very important in our growth.
When my Ancestors first came to the states they settled down in Pennsylvania, mainly Pittsburgh, In fact my oldest living relative was born there. So I’ve always been interested in the Battle of Gettysburg has always fascinated me as it basically took place on the state of my family’s origin.
Ordinary men run from danger.
Heroes run towards it.
"sir we are out of ammunition"
Chamberlain: "It's a good thing bayonets don't require reloading"
Prior to this scene, the 15th Alabama Regiment (CSA) had already made three unsuccessful charges and was preparing for a fourth. At this point the 15th Alabama had suffered close to 40% casualties and were themselves almost spent. Prior to the 20th Maine's charge, a company of regular Federal army sharpshooters had moved to the right of the 15th Alabama and started firing from cover. Simultaneously, the Confederates started receiving long range volleys from the New York regiment to the right of the 20th Maine. The 15th Alabama's commander, Lt. Col. William Oats, was about to order the fourth assault when he saw the 20th Maine make their downhill charge. With the 15th Alabama receiving fire from three sides (and just seeing his own brother killed in the attacks), Oats realized that his regiment's position was no longer tenable and ordered his men to withdraw, which they did in disorder.
In his later memoir after the War, Oats admitted that he doubted that his regiment and any Confederate reinforcements that were likely to be supplied would have been able to hold the hill (later known as Little Round Top) against the inevitable Federal counter-attack.
Fun Fact Chamberlain and the commander of one of the Confederate Regiments he fought at Little Round Top Colonel William C. Oates commander of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment later went on to become the governors of their home states after the war
"The soul of a lion and the heart of a woman" General Sickel describing Joshua Chamberlain
Gettysburg is a deeply flawed movie, giving far too much reverence to the traitors, but this scene redeems it. I understand the need to focus on a few characters, but it's a shame they couldn't cut some of the campfires and speechifying to show us the battle at the railroad cut, or the 1st Minnesota's charge, or the 3 days of fighting on Culp's Hill, or put names and faces to the Philadelphia Brigade that ultimately held the line on Cemetery Ridge.
It's interesting that one through lines in the movie is that confederate generals are always vague and poetic with their orders, while United States officers use detail and repetition to be understood. I think Maxwell was trying to make the traitors sound noble, but it reminds me of WW2 movies where the nazi generals are always well dressed and chauffeured in the back of a Mercedes when allied generals wear regular uniforms and ride shotgun in jeeps.
The movie is one of the last yelps of the reunification fervor that was ingrained in Baby Boomers during the 1950s and 1960s. The film is definitely a product of that mindset.
Bullshit. This movie presents both points of view without bias.
Well Confederates weren't Nazis so there's that.
Maxwell's pro confederate bias shines through much better in Copperhead and Gods and Generals, which is essentially Triumph of the Will for slave owners.
@@castercamber :: Confederates were as evil as the Nazis, as evil as the Stalinist soviets. The Rebs were in the very very wrong side of History, and embarassment for the USA, supposedly belonged to Western Civilization circa 1860s, but however lovers and profiteers of slavery.
The way they shot Chamberlain moving behind his men as they all stood and fixed bayonets, combined with the music, was just perfect. Such a great piece of cinema.
The move that arguably saved the Union.
Arguably since many others will say the charge of the 1st Minnesota on the second day, saved the entire battle...85% casualties within a few minutes. That few minutes that Hancock needed to fill the huge gap that developed dividing the Union line. Around 262 Minnesotans facing approx. 1500 Confederates in a desperate charge. The few survivors (around 40) were placed in a line thought to be safe and became the focal point of Picket's Charge on the final day and suffered even more casualties.
@@kayakdan48 Excellent!
I was just there and this is what our private tour guide was telling us. These men saved the battle results for the Union.
@@kayakdan48 The First Minnesota is remembered in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capital to this day.
“Swing like a doooor.”
Sends chills every time.
I’m not from America but grew up here and feel the pride in these men🙏 i cry to think what they fought for is becoming lost in politics and controversy in these modern times. I wish to feel the pride United 🙏
A true warrior poet.
This movie was done to perfection, but this scene was classic! To add Gettysburg was such a pivotal point in the war too!
This scene is just not the same without the intensity with which he orders ‘Bayoneeettte’.
Great scene - i just wished that Gouverneur K. Warren that was also vital in holding litte round top and espcially the 1st Minnesota regiment who with only around 267 troops attacked the rebels, and like the 20th maine, help in holding the line during the battle of gettysburg.
Talking about rollin' the dice. Amazing!!!
My great uncle James Sockwell was with the 26th Alabama Infantry at Gettysburg.
I just watched this scene this morning on DVD.
You are not alone!
@@ReelHistory Thank you! Remember Gettysburg!
Greatest scene ever!
Thank you
I've been there. It's a tiny little knoll, made to look much bigger in the film. Today, it's a quiet, peaceful place full of green shadows and the sound of trickling water. Even today, you can feel the power of that quiet, little knoll...
What's he saying at 0:51? I only get the "down the hill" part at the end...
Rolling the dice, on the grandest of levels.
45 years ago we studied this in US Army ROTC.
Gettysburg and Glory are tied for me... My great-great Grandfather fought at the battle of the wilderness later served 10 years in the US Cavalry out west Sargent-Major..
Remains the greatest cinematic charge scene ever.
If you've ever read the battle of Culp's Hill a very similar incident happened on the opposite end of the Union Line with a New York regiment under the coomand of Brigadier General "Pap" Greene holding the extreme flank and a regimental commander whos name I forget staving off disaster with a bayonet charge.
The difference is that Greene was a civil engineer and had been hastily building fortifications up the slope so when the Union broke the Confederate assault, it was to buy time for the New Yorkers to scramble up the hill and behind the traverse wall. It worked, the line held, and reinforcements flanked the Confederate positions forcing them to withdraw down the hill. The lower heights were retaken over the next day. I wish more was done with General Greene. He seems to have beeen a good one.
Greene had a lot of family history to back him up. He was a grandson of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. Gen. Washington's redoubtable right hand man. Who was sent to S. Carolina to salvage the patriot cause in the south (ironically). His campaign in the Carolina's forced Lord Cornwallis to leave the deep south and head to Virginia.
A professor... Not even a soldier.... That's commitment
There were hundreds of witnesses to this event on the battlefield. My greatest wish is that the members of the current US Congress could muster some semblance of the courage needed to sustain the nation today. These people are failing us.
Can you imagine being there ... either in that charge or facing it ... WOW ...