My Darling Wife

"But Fannie, in the midst of all this triumph—in this hour of exultation, in this day of power + joy + hope, when our starry flag floats amid the stars of Heaven, suddenly it falls to half-mast—"Darkness sweeps athwart the sky", + the President of the United States, with his heart full of conciliation + charity + forgiveness is struck down by the assassin's hand. Words will not tell the feeling with which this Army receives this news. 

  I wish you could have been present today at my funeral service for the President—this field—the drooping flags—the dirges of the bands—the faces of the men—the words of the chaplain from his text—"Give me here the head of John the Baptist in a charger"! You should have been here. You of all, I missed. The chaplain is an Irishman, + the celtic soul took fire to day you may, be sure. I ordered this service on my own responsibility, as it is the day of the Presidents funeral, + all duties of a military character are suspended. It will take a life time to tell you all I have to tell. These are terrible times, but I believe in God, + he will bring good at last. We march at 7 in the morning, to make a camp + rest for a little, when I shall write you more fully. 

God bless you, sweet love; I thank you for your letters. I learn that some of the { . . . }commend me. For your sake I am glad. I receive many congratulatory letters. Give my love to Auntie, + all , especially to your dear Father. I enclose $10 for you to give Helen. Sae speaks of your "most sweet + beautiful of letters." Thank you darling. What is our baby's name? With a good night kiss + a long one. "

Joshua Chamberlain

http://learn.bowdoin.edu/joshua-lawrence-chamberlain/documents/1865-04-19.html

The Surrender at Appomattox

Congratulations my Union Brothers,

We have won this war, General Lee has surrendered and we are now the United States of America once more! The 3rd brigade greeted General Gordon with a salute of arms, and to my personal surprise he and his men returned the same respect. There was no way to show more respect to them than with a salute of arms. I know that I will be cricized for these actions, but this was a momentous occasion and had to be treated as such. 

God bless the United States of America,

Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera

The Capture of the Mississippi

Congratulations my Union brothers,

With the Mississippi River under Union control the South is now divided in two. We have claimed the most strategic water zone in this Civil War. This news may lead to my speedier recovery. It appears as though that General Grant may be one of our first military leaders who may know how to fight a war. 

Congratulations General Grant,

Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera

The Battle of Gettysburg

Brothers of the Union,

I am in no need of your congratulations, your graces should go to the Union and our brilliant military leaders. I myself would like to congratulate and bestow my greatest thanks upon the soldiers of the 20th Maine. Without their faultless bravery we surely could not have held Little Round Top to secure our left flank. Congratulations 20th Maine, Congratulations President Lincoln, and most importantly Congratulations to the United States of America.

Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera

p.131

The Battle of Chancellorsville

Countrymen do not fear, our series of strategic losses are simply tests given to us by our Father to test our morale and conviction as a nation to overcome the Confederacy.  I will tell you as I told my daughter, "There has been a big battle, and we had a great many men killed and wounded. We shall try it again soon, and see if we cannot make those Rebels behave better, and stop their wicked works in trying to spoil our country, and making us all so unhappy."  Countrymen, we shall overcome the confederacy and we shall prevent them from spoiling this, the great United States of America!

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera

The Emancipation Proclamation

Despite my somewhat moderate views towards slavery, I do believe that President Lincoln has made a wise decision with his Emanciation Proclamation. With the slaves free we can then recruit them into the Union army to crush those that wish to destroy the world's greatest democracy. 

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera   p.76

The Battle of Antietam

It is an utmost tragedy that I would not wish upon my greatest enemy to see the horrors that I saw at Antietam Creek. When I volunteered to protect the great state of Maine I did not expect to spend a day in so much fear as I watched my countrymen fall and their countless corpses that were left on the battlefield.

Joshua Chamberlain

Lieutenent Colonel of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment

http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/getttour/sidebar/chambln.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=LVKla6xI6v8C&pg=PA61&dq=Joshua+chamberlain+and+the+Battle+of+Bull+Run&client=opera