Following the Civil War, Joshua
Chamberlain and William C. Oates led somewhat parallel lives. Both became
Governors of their homes states, Maine and Alabama respectively. In addition,
both men failed to gain the nomination of their respective political parties
for runs for the United States Senate. After the war, the two men corresponded,
reliving the details of their clash at Little Round Top. The following excerpt
is the first page of correspondence [of unknown length] from Chamberlain,
asking Oates to clarify details of their engagement on July 2, 1863.
Brunswick, Maine, February 27th. 1897. Hon. William C. Oates; My dear Sir:- I am having some controversy with some of the "Gettysburg Commission" of this State in regard to some points of our respective movements on the Round Tops on the afternoon and evening of July 2nd. 1863. They
think it impossible that you should intend to say you came over the summit of
the Great Round Top to attack our extreme left, My
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Citation: George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College, Joshua L. Chamberlain Collection, M27.
Index Terms: Little Round Top; Gettysburg; Alabama; Oates, William C. ; 20th Maine; 15th Alabama; 47th Alabama; Great Round Top; Civil War; Confederate
[1] This is only the first page of the typescript. The rest of the typescript has gone missing.