Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-01-17
GEN. J. |. CHAMBERLAIN
Laid Up and Suffering at New York
From His Wounds.
Only Soldier That 6ea. Grant Ever Promoted
On the Fisld.

| NEW YORK. Jan l6.-The Sunis,
World prints the following: Gen. Joshua
l.. Chamberlain, Familiarity called Joe,
the only soldier ever promoted by Genera
Grant on the field of battle. is confined to
his room at No. l0l West 18th street. lie
is suffering now, just as be has suffered fol
30 years, from the effects of bui,et-wounls
received in battle. He is now 70 years old
and looks il, for the pain of years ha.
wrinkled his high forehead. silvered his
/ hair and wrought havoc with his otherw ise
classical features.
| Gen. Chamberlain entered the army as
Northumberland Of the Goth Regiment.
Maine Volunteers, on Aug. s. 1862, and
served continuously in the First Division OF
The Fifth Corps, finally commanding it, and
was mustered out Of service Jan. Ii, 1866,
as brevet major-general. He is of fam
! lily of military traditions and prociivities
| tary education, he naturally adopted himself
| 10 the severe ordeal of army activity.
| The story of his advancement on the
field of battle has been told once in the
history of his regiment. but il was told with
more regard to detail by the general himself
yesterday while in conversation with a
W oIlu porter Nv MS NOME
In June, 1868, he was colonel of his regj-
ment. He was in the thickest of the great
fight at Round Top, the marvel of his men
and the Idol of his superior officers. In
August of that year he was placed in COM
man,i of brigade. In the reorganization
of the army corps in the next spring two
brigades of veterans were consolidated into
one and he was called to command it while
as yet colonel of his regiment in another
brigade. In the first battle in bis new COM
mand he was promoted to brigadier- general
on the field by Gen. Grant, which was af
terwards ratified by the Senate.
II dislike TO speak of myself" said tlp
general. Il would rather that the story
should come from another, but as | have
many dear friends who knew me in fighting
days, word from me would doubtless
please them. II was really wonder that
was not cashiered for declining to obey an
order, but it resulted in my promotion 1t
was this way: Early in the summer of
1868 the First and Fifth Army Corps were
consolidated. They consisted of Double
days division of veterans Roy Stones and
Rowley's old brigades) to which was added
fine new regiment, the One Hundred anl
Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, and these
made up brigade. was called to com
mand it while held the rank of colonel in
another brigade. 1t was with this magnii-
cent command that made the now famous
charge at Petersburg, June Is, 1864.
81 had already carried an advanced posi-
ton across the Norfolk railroad. which
brought me close upon the enemy's main
works. and secured myself by bringing up
four batteries of artillery, when an order
came to charge the main lines of Petersburg
with my command. Knowing well the fruit
less slaughter this would involve, boldly
sent back n written protest, but added that
| would willingly make the attack if sup
ported by the whole army, as would be
necessary in order TO carry the day by
assault
'.For time it looked as if my sugges-
tons would be ignored, but was reinforced,
and after the fight it was demonstrated that
my refusal to obey the orders had really
been the means of winning the victory. 1t
was for this action that Gen. Grant pro-
NOTED me from colonel to brgadier-general
Gen. Grant afterwards told me that he hal
never made a promotion on the field of bat
tie before. was wounded in the body in
that fight and / have never fully recor-
ered'
Gen. Chamberlain has home in Bruins
wick. Me-, but is stopping temporarily in
this city. He has been engaged in buili-
ing railroads on the Gulf coast. For many
years he was the president of the Silv,
Springs and Gulf Railroad now the Savan-
nah. Florida & Western Railroad. While
a nominal pension from the GOV
ernment, for which he did not make applic:l-
ton, Gen. Chamberlain's friends have
urged him to petition for a pension that
should he commensurate with his valuable
services in the army.
The generals army career ended with the
engagement at Appomatox court house
when the flag of truce came in, and at the
formal surrender of Lees army he was des-
ignated to command the parade before which
that army laid down its arms and colors.
While Gen. Chamberlain is the recipient Of
much solictons care, he is not now danger
ously i'll. He looks as if he would live
many years, although it is believed that the
effect of his wounds will ultimately cause
his death. His daughter is with him, anil
many veterans of the war call daily to chez
him in his sickness.