The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-07-06
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 6, 1866.
oners. and effecting lodgmeut on the White

Oak Road.
At the battle Of Five Forks, on the follow.
ing.day. Gen. Chamberlain had command OF
two brigades on the extreme right-the Wheel
ing flank. In tho midst Of the battle, when
tlle rebels made furious attempt to regain
their works by flank attack, putting in every
lnan of his own command on q new direction
to break the force of this onset, in which the
Goth Maine, now in his command, was at the
post of honor and peril-Gen. Chamberlain
formed a mass of skulkers and fugitives from
other commands and pushed them in, leapng
his horse over the parapet and having him
wounded by rifle ball. His own brigade,
the smallest in the division, captured 1850
men, 10 officers and hattie flags -one.half
the captures of their division. On the next
day he was ordered to take the advance and
strike the South Side Railroad. This he did,
encountering Fitch Hugh Lees division Of
cavalry, which he drove across the railroad,
intercepting train Of cars from Petersburg,
with several rebel officers and men, and rout-
ing the enemy from the position. In the sub.
sequent pursuit, Gen. Chamberlain had the
advance nearly all the time, capturing many
prisoners aud vast quantities Of material. At
Jetersville, on the Danville Railroad, he went
to the assistance of our cavalry, who were
severely attacked OF cross road.
In the final action at Appomattox Court
House, while coming up TO relieve our cavalry,
he arrived Just as the flag of truce was sent
out. A last cannon ball hit one of his officers,
the last man killed in Virginia.
Gen. Chamberlain was present at the con.
ference preliminary to the surrender, aud was
directed by tho commanding General to re-
ceive with his troops the formal surrender OF
tho arms and colors of Lees army, April l2,
1865. Aiterward assigned to the command
of the division, Gen. Chamberlain occupied a
line thirty miles OH the South Side Railroad
for some time. This division had the advance
in the triumphal entry of the army into Rich.
mond, as also the advance of the Army OF
the Potomac in the final review in Washing
ton. When the army was broken up, he re.
ceved an assignment to another command Z;
but the active operations of the field now be-
ing over, he applied to he relieved from duty
that he might have the surgical treatment
which his wounds required, and was muster.
ed out of service August "a, 1865.
In the ar,luous and trying campaigns through
which he passed Gen. Chamberlain made a
record honorable to himself and to tile State.
During his period of service he commanded
troops in twenty four battles, eight reconnois-
sances and in skirinishes without number
advance and rear guards in contact with the
enemy upward of dozen times. With his
own command alone he foughtfive independ-
ent engagements. every one of which was
successful against superior numbers. His cap.
lures IN battle number 2700 prisoners and
eight battle flags, no portion of which can be
claimed nv ony other command He was six
times struck in action by shot and shell, three
times narrowly escaping with his liio.
Gen. Chamberlain was rarely absent from
field duty. He never had but four days leave
of absence. At all other times. when not in
the field, he had been either ordered away for
treatment of wounds, &C.. or was command
ing the brigade by order Of the War Depart.
nent.
But on no part of his record does he look
hack with so great satisfaction, rs he informed
Adutant General Hodsdon's department, than
his relations with the men under his command
He made 1t point, first of duty then of atiec.
ton, to take care Of his men. He never or
dcred troops into positions that he had not
first personally reconnoitered, and though his
losses in killed and wounded have been Sc
we're they have never been made in retreating.
The noble and faithful men entrusted to his
care never in single instance failed to exc
cute his orders or to carry out what they
deemed to be his wishes, although unexpress.
ed. But what adds crowning lustre to his re.
cord il the fact to which he points with
mournfiil pride, tlatin all the various fortunes
of the field he never left one Of his wounded
in the lines of the enemy, nor one of his dead
without fitting burial.