CSI PRINT 

AFTER ACTION REPORT 

by Joshua Id. Chamberlain 

Reprinted by permission of the Maine Military Historical Society, inc., Augusta, 

Maine, copyright 1989, and may not be further reproduced without the express 

permission of the copyright owner. 
The inspiration of a noble cause involving human interests wide 

and far, enables men to do things they did not dream themselves 

capable of before, and which they were not capable of alone. The 

consciousness of belonging, vitally, to something beyond 

individuality; of being part of a personality that reaches we know 

not where, in space and time, greatens the heart to the limit of the 

soul’s ideal, and builds out the supreme of character. 

Joshua L. Chamberlain 

October 3, 1889 

Monument Dedication 

Ceremony 

Gettysburg, PA 

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The official narrative of Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, dated 

July 6, 1863, describing the engagement of the 20th Maine 

Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg, with an Introductory Note 

and type transcription by Joseph B. Ezhaya, Chair of the Library 

Committee, edited by Donald H. Marden, President. 

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Introductory Note 

It is only fitting that the Maine Military Historical 

Society, Inc. should select as the first document for 

publication, for its members and others interested in 

military history, the ‘“After Action Report” of 

Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain. The narrative 

explodes the myth of ““After Action Reports’” as dull 

reading. The narrative draws the reader to the field 

of a crucial engagement in a turning point battle that 

probably altered the course of American history. 

What a field of battle it was! 

Historians have documented the significance of the 

Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln immortalized its 

participants and their cause. Colonel Chamberlain’s 

After Action Report shows us some of the reasons 

why these men deserve to be immortalized. 

Colonel Chamberlain, who was later to be the only 

man to receive a battlefield promotion to General by 

U. S. Grant, has numerous talents. Among them was 

the ability to describe events so as to give us the 

feeling of what those present were experiencing. 

Joshua L. Chamberlain was born in Brewer, 

Maine, September 8, 1828. He grew up on a farm, 

the son and grandson of citizens who served in the 

Militia of Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin 

College and Bangor Theological Seminary. He 

became a tenured professor at Bowdoin College. He 

volunteered to serve in the Union Army and served 

with unique distinction. He was awarded the 

Congressional Medal of Honor for his feats at 

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Gettysburg and went on to lead and fight in 

numerous other battles. He was selected by General 

Grant from thousands of officers to receive the 

surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox. 

The manner in which Chamberlain handled the 

surrender, by saluting the Southern ‘“comradesin-arms,” is still cause for respect of Chamberlain 

in the South. Chamberlain went on to be a popular 

four term Governor of Maine, a visionary President 

of Bowdoin College, a Railroad President and much 

sought-after public speaker. He lived to be eightyfour years old, passing away on February 24, 1914. 

In many ways, Joshua L. Chamberlain is immortal. 

The U.S. Army’s Leadership Manual, FM 22-100, 

holds Colonel Chamberlain as a role-model for 

American military leaders. Michael Shaara’s 1974 

Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Killer Angels, which is 

required reading of all enrollees in the Army’s 

Command and General Staff College, places 

Colonel Chamberlain in the same company as 

General Robert E. Lee and others of distinction. 

The Maine Military Historical Society honors this 

distinguished son of Maine not because he was just a 

“warrior,” but because the depth of his character, his 

sense of duty, and the sharing of his talents at great 

personal sacrifice symbolized an ideal that those who 

serve under arms strive to achieve to preserve our 

way of life. 

A special salute from the Maine Military Historical 

Society goes to the “keepers of the Joshua L. 

Chamberlain flame”: The State of Maine Archives, 

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Bowdoin College Library Special Collections, The 

Pejepscot Historical Society and its Joshua L. 

Chamberlain Museum and the Centennial 

Committee of the City of Brewer, Chamberlain 

biographer, William M. Wallace, 20th Maine 

Regiment author John J. Pullen, 133rd Engineer 

B’attalion of the Maine Army National Guard, and 

others. 

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Headquarters 20th Maine Vols. 

Field near Gettysburg, Pa. 

July 6th, 1863 

Lieut, 

In compliance with orders from Brigade Hd. Qrs. I 

have the honor to submit the following report of the 

part taken by the 20th Regt. Maine Vols in the action 

of July 2d and 3d near Gettysburg, Pa. 

On reaching the field at about 4 p.m. July 2d, 

Col.Vincent commanding the Brigade, placing me on 

the left of the Brigade and consequently on the 

extreme left of our entire line of battle, instructed me 

that the enemy were expected shortly to make a 

desperate attempt to turn our left flank, and that the 

position assigned to me must be held at every hazard. 

I established my line on the crest of a small spur of 

a rocky and wooded hill, and sent out at once a 

company of skirmishers on my left to guard against 

surprise on that unprotected flank. 

These dispositions were scarcely made when the 

attack commenced, and the right of the Regt. found 

itself at once hotly engaged. Almost at the same 

moment, from a high rock which gave me a full view 

of the enemy, I perceived a heavy force in rear of 

their principal line, moving rapidly but stealthily 

toward our left, with the intention, as I judged, of 

gaining our rear unperceived. Without betraying our 

peril to any but one or two officers, I had the right 

wing move by the left flank, taking intervals of a pace 

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or two, according to the shelter afforded by rocks or 

trees, extending so as to cover the whole front then 

engaged; and at the same time moved the left wing 

TV the left and rear, making a large angle at the 

color, which was now brought to the front where our 

left had first rested. 

This hazardous maneuvre was so admirably 

executed by my men that our fire was not materially 

slackened in front, and the enemy gained no 

advantage there, while the left wing in the mean time 

had formed a solid and steady line in a direction to 

meet the expected assault. We were not a moment 

too soon; for the enemy having gained their desired 

point of attack came to a front, and rushed forward 

with an impetuosity which showed their sanguine 

expectations. Their astonishment however was 

evident, when emerging from their cover, they met 

instead of an unsuspecting flank, a firm and ready 

front. A strong fire opened at once from both sides, 

and with great effect, the enemy still advancing until 

they came within ten naces of our line, where our 

steady and telling volleys brought them to a stand. 

From that moment began a struggle fierce and 

bloody beyond any that I have witnessed, and which 

lasted in all its fury, a full hour. The two lines met, 

and broke and mingled in the shock. At times I saw 

around me more of the enemy than of my own men. 

The edge of conflict swayed to and fro - now one 

and now the other party holding the contested 

ground. Three times our line was forced back, but 

only to rally and repulse the enemy. As often as the 

enemy’s line was broken and routed, a new line was 

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unmasked, which advanced with fresh vigor. Our 

“sixty rounds” were rapidly reduced; I sent several 

messengers to the rear for ammunition, and also for 

reinforcements. In the mean time we seized the 

opportunity of a momentary lull to gather 

ammunition and more serviceable arms, from the 

dead and dying on the field. With these we met the 

enemy% last and fiercest assault. Their own rifles and 

their own bullets were turned against them. In the 

midst of this struggle, our ammunition utterlv failed. 

The enemy were close upon us with a fresh line, 

pouring on us a terrible fire. Half the left wing 

already lay on the field. Although I had brought two 

companies from the right to its support, it was now 

scarcely more than a skirmish line. The heroic energy 

of my officers could avail no more. Our gallant line 

withered and shrunk before the fire it could not 

repel. It was too evident that we could maintain the 

defensive no longer. As a last desperate resort, I 

ordered a charge. The word “fix bayonets” flew from 

man to man. The click of the steel seemed to give 

new zeal to all. The men dashed forward with a 

shout. The two wings came into one line again, and 

extending to the left, and at the same time wheeling 

to the right, the whole Regiment described nearly a 

half circle, the left passing over the space of half a 

mile, while the right kept within the support of the 

83d Penna. thus leaving no chance of escape to the 

enemy except to climb the steep side of the mountain 

or to pass by the whole front of the 83d Penna. The 

enemy’s first line scarcely tried to run - they stood 

amazed, threw down their loaded arms and 

surrendered in whole companies. Those in their rear 

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had more time and gave us more trouble. My 

skirmishing company threw itself upon the enemy’s 

flank behind a stone wall, and their effective fire 

added to the enemy’s confusion. In this charge we 

captured three hundred and sixty eight prisoners, 

many of them officers, and took three hundred stand 

of arms. The prisoners were from four different 

regiments, and admitted that they had attacked with 

a Brigade. 

At this time Col. Rice commanding the Brigade 

(Cal. Vincent having been mortally wounded) 

brought up a strong support from Gem. Crawford’s 

command, and 3000 rounds of ammunition. The 

wounded and the prisoners were now sent to the 

rear, and our dead gathered and laid side by side. 

Shortly after Cal. Rice desired me to advance and 

take the high steep hill, called “Wolf Hill” or “Round 

Top” half a mile or more to our left and front, where 

the enemy had assembled on their repulse - a 

position which commanded ours in case the assault 

should be renewed. 

It was then dusk. The men were worn out, and 

heated and thirsty - almost beyond endurance. 

Many had sunk down and fallen asleep the instant 

the halt was ordered. But at the command they 

cheerfuliy formed their line once more, and the little 

handful of men went up the hill, scarcely expecting 

ever to return. In order not to disclose our numbers 

- as I had now but two hundred guns - and to 

avoid bringing on an engagement in which I was sure 

to be overpowered, I forbid my men to fire, and 
trusted to the bayonet alone. Throwing out two small 

detachments on each flank, we pushed straight up 

the hill. The darkness favored us, concealing our 

force and preventing the enemy from getting range 

so that their volleys went over our heads, while they 

deemed it prudent to retire before us. Just at the 

crest we found more serious difficulty and were 

obliged to fall back for a short time, We advanced 

again with new energy, which the knowledge of our 

isolated and perilous position rendered perhaps 

desperate, and carried the desired point. We took 

twenty five prisoners in this movement, among them 

some of the staff of Genl. Laws. From these officers I 

learned that Hood’s whole Division was massed but a 

short distance in front, had just prepared to advance 

and take possession of the heights, and was only 

waiting to ascertain the number and position of our 

force. I posted my command among the rocks along 

the crest in line of battle, and sent two companies in 

charge of judicious officers to reconnoitre the ground 

in front. They reported a large body of the enemy in 

a ravine not more than two or three hundred yards 

distant. I therefore kept these two companies out, 

with orders to watch the enemy, while our main line, 

kept on the alert by occasional volleys from below, 

held its position among the rocks throughout the 

night. In the meantime the 83d Penna. and the 5th 

and 12th Penna. Reserves came up and formed as a 

support. The next day at noon we were relieved by 

the 1st Brigade. 

We were engaged with Laws’ Brigade, Hood’s Div. 

The prisoners represented themselves as from the 

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15th and 47th Alabama and the 4th and 5th Texas 

Regts. The whole number of prisoners taken by us is 

three hundred and ninety three - of arms captured 

three hundred stand. At least one hundred and fifty 

of the enemy’s killed and wounded were found in 

front of our first line of battle. 

We went into the fight with three hundred and fifty 

eight guns. Every pioneer and musician who could 

carry a musket was armed and engaged. Our loss is 

one hundred and thirty six - thirty killed, one 

hundred and five wounded - many mortally - and 

one taken prisoner in the night advance. [As] Often 

as our line was broken and pierced by the enemy, 

there is not a man to be reported “missing.” 

I have to regret the loss of a most gallant young 

officer, Lt. W. S. Kendall, who fell in the charge[,J 

also Capt. C. W. Billings mortally wounded early in 

the action, and Lieut. A. N. Linscott mortally 

wounded on the crest of “Wolf Hill.” Our advantage 

was dearly bought with the loss of such admirable 

officers as these. 

As for the conduct of my officers and men, I will 

let the result speak for them. If I were to mention 

any I might do injustice by omitting some equally 

deserving. Our role of Honor is the three hundred 

eighty officers and men who fought at Gettvsburg. 

My thanks are one[,] the 83d Penna., Capt. 

Woodman, Comdg. for their steady and gallant 

support, and I would particularly acknowledge the 

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services of Adjt. Gifford of that Regt. who exposed 

himself to the severest fire to render me aid. 

Very respectfully 

Your obdt. servt. 

J. L. Chamberlain 

Col. 20th Maine Vols. 

Lt. Geo. B. Herendeen 

Act. Asst. Adjt. Genl. 

3d Brigade, 1st Div. 5th Corps.