The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-05-19

Though accustomed to manual labor in
boyhood, and exhibiting an unusual talent
, for business, he yet early manifested de-
, sire to obtain a thorough education. Ac-
; cordingly he began his preparatory studies
at the academy in the village where he
lived.
While here he labored with the same
untiring energy and perseverance which So
eminently characterized his after life. as
will be seen in the fact that, (as think he
has told me,) he pressed on his course,
without any considerable encouragement
from his parents. who very naturally de-
sired to see those fine business talents
turned at once to some practical account.
From the academy he entered Dart
mouth college in the autumn of 1856.
Here, too, that strong determination,
always a prominent trait in his character,
carried him along, sweeping away every
obstacle to his progress. Relying mainly
upon his own resources, he pursued his
course through college, this feeling of in
dependence being most agreeable to his
exceptional cast of mind, and this self.
reliance gave conscious strength to his
character
While in college he was a marked man
decided in his opinions, frank in his
conduct, indifferent to popular favor, dig
nitied in his bearing and intercourse with
his associates. and much esteemed by his
instructors. In 1860 he graduated with
distinction honorable to himself, to the
class aid to the college
With the legal profession in view. as his
life work, he at once began the study of
law. He completed his professional stu
dies at the law school in Harvard Univer-
sity, during the summer of 1862.
Then came before his mind the decision
OF a life-question. On the one hand were
liberal culture obtained by years of Sc
we're labor, a tondness for the chosen pro-
fession, predictions strongly in favor of
civil life, personal preferences against the
war, large executive ability, prospective
eminence and social position. On the
other, the call Of a country in peril
Should he take all these hard-earned ac-
questions, so to say, in his hands, re-
linquiSh, at least for a time, his life work.
and lay all with his life, if need were, up
on the altar of a suffering countrv-a
costly oilering-or should he pursue the
course which he marked out for himself in
50 bright a coloring, and be deaf to her
imperative demands This was the sim
pie question. Possibly duty and desire
came into conflict. There was but one
course for him. He was sujtt in making
the decision In opposition to the en-
treaties of friends, his own inclinations,
the attractions Of a much loved home, he
conscientiously felt it to be his duty to 90
This was enough. Without waiting at all
to recover from the fatigu and exhaustion
incident to a long term of study, he has
tened at once to the town of his abode,
and obtaining the requisite papers, began
recruiting a company. Working with
characteristic energy and promptness, in
less than ten days, as remember, he rails
ed more than the maximum number of a
company in infantry, was elected captain,
and going to Brattleboro succeeded in get
ting it mustered as Co. A, llth regiment
from Vermont.
While at that place of rendezvous, not
a little to his surprise, a commission of
maj was put into his hands With this
rank he accompanied the llth regiment
Vt. volunteers, when organized, to WASH
ington, i'll September, 1862. The regi-
ment, contrary to his expectation, was as
signed to duty in the detences of the city.
Here it remained little more than a year
and half, doing garrison duty in detach-
ments, at several posts. These posts at
first were commanded by the field officers.
the command of each varying in impor-
tance with his rank.
To Chamberlin (hen major) fell the
command of Fort Totten. And that fort.
with its surroundings, at first rude and in
complete, at length, under his directing
hand, finished and invested with an air OF
neatness and beauty, stands to-,lay an en-
during memorial of his excellent taste,
good Judgment, perseverance and disci-
pline, and fidelity to the responsible trust
committed to his care
He subsequently commanded Fort Lin
coin, a larger and more important COM
mand.
He exhibited the same interest in keep
ing in order and improving such of the
military work as came under his care, that
he would have shown in his own private
business.
He insisted upon order, neatness, con.
venience and permanence in everything
pertaining to his command.
On the 18th of May, 1864, the regi
ment hastened from the defence of the
: city to join the army of the Potomac
which had just fought its way, in a mos
fearful and deadly struggle, through th'
r Wilderness
For the sake of convenience, that larg'
and splendid body of men-ffteen hun
: dred strong-was divided into three bat
: talions. To the command of one of thes
MAJOR Chamberlin was assigned, and hi
e was always with it, on the march, OF
: picket and in battle, sharing the forum,
4 of the brave men whom he led.
e And though perhaps it We're invidiou
to particularize when all did so we'll, yet
n if | mistake not, in the first engagement
r In which the regiment ever participated
4 hi lo oLn,,onI To bo II, Il, l.