Joshua Chamberlain

Joshua Chamberlain was a professor at Bowdoin College who volunteered to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was offered a colonelcy in the 20th Maine Volunteers, but accepted a position as a lieutenant colonel at his own discretion in order to learn military science before assuming command. He was later promoted to colonel upon the promotion of the Regimental Commander. He is famous for his role in leading a bayonet charge to repulse a Confederate attack and save the union left flank. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and his actions were immortalized in the book The Killer Angels.