Joshua Chamberlain Quotes & Sayings

The edge of the conflict swayed to and fro, with wild whirlpools and eddies. At times I saw around me more of the enemy than of my own men; gaps opening, swallowing, closing again with sharp convulsive energy. All around, a strange, mingled roar. — Joshua Chamberlain

We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be Heaven. — Joshua Chamberlain

But the cause for which we fought was higher; our thought wider ... That thought was our power. — Joshua Chamberlain

Those who will may raise monuments of marble to perpetuate the fame of heroes. Those who will may build memorial halls to remind those who shall gather there in after times what manhood could do and dare for right, and what high examples of virtue and valor have gone before them. But let us make our offering to the ever-living soul. Let us build our benefactions in the ever-growing heart, that they shall live and rise and spread in blessing beyond our sight, beyond the ken of man and beyond the touch of time. — Joshua Chamberlain

The inspiration of a noble cause enables men to do things they did not dream themselves capable of before — Joshua Chamberlain

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 souls ideal, and builds out the supreme character. — Joshua Chamberlain

We have to go in places no body would ever think of going into were it not for the necessities of war. — Joshua Chamberlain

Every pioneer and musician who could carry a musket went into the ranks. Even the sick and foot-sore, who could not keep up in the march, came up as soon as they could find their regiments, and took their places in line of battle, while it was battle, indeed. — Joshua Chamberlain

Mounting a large rock, I was able to see a considerable body of the enemy moving by the flank in rear of their line engaged, and passing from the direction of the foot of Great Round Top through the valley toward the front of my left. — Joshua Chamberlain

We fought no better, perhaps, than they. We exhibited, perhaps, no higher individual qualities. — Joshua Chamberlain

I never could be a partisan leader - a man of one idea. — Joshua Chamberlain

My officers and men understood wishes so well that this movement was executed under fire, the right wing keeping up fire, without giving the enemy any occasion to seize or even to suspect their advantage. — Joshua Chamberlain

A radiant fellowship of the fallen. — Joshua Chamberlain

We know not of the future and cannot plan for it much. — Joshua Chamberlain

Let me say no danger and no hardship ever makes me wish to get back to that college life again. — Joshua Chamberlain

I am not of Virginia blood; she is of mine. — Joshua Chamberlain

The word was enough. It ran like fire along the line, from man to man, and rose into a shout, with which they sprang forward upon the enemy, now not 30 yards away. — Joshua Chamberlain

Heroism is latent in every human soul - However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all the self-denials - privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself - for some great good, dimly seen but dearly held. — Joshua Chamberlain

Rations were scarcely issued, and the men about preparing supper, when rumors that the enemy had been encountered that day near Gettysburg absorbed every other interest, and very soon orders came to march forthwith to Gettysburg. — Joshua Chamberlain

But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and such ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men we will be, whenever and wherever the hour strikes and calls to noble action. — Joshua Chamberlain

I long to be in the Field again, doing my part to keep the old flag up, with all its stars. — Joshua Chamberlain

He had somehow, with all his modesty, the rare faculty of controlling his superiors as well as his subordinates. He outfaced Stanton, captivated the President, and even compelled acquiescence or silence from that dread source of paralyzing power, the Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War. — Joshua Chamberlain

Just after writing those we were called up to defend a new position on the left, where the terrible storming of the bridge over the Antietam took place. — Joshua Chamberlain

This is the great reward of service, to live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of Christ, - to give life's best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal. — Joshua Chamberlain

I do not pretend to write much of a letter. You know under what circumstances I am writing. — Joshua Chamberlain

The pageant has passed. That day is over. But we linger, loath to think we shall see them no more together - these men, these horses, these colors afield. — Joshua Chamberlain