Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond; was not such manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured?
… when the head of each division column comes opposite our group, our bugle sounds the signal and instantly our whole line from right to left, regiment by regiment in succession, gives the soldier’s salutation, from the ‘order arms’ to the old ‘carry,’ the marching salute.
Gordon at the head of the column, riding with heavy spirit and downcast face, catches the sound of shifting arms, looks up, and, taking the meaning, wheels superbly, making with himself and his horse one uplifted figure, with profound salutation as he drops the point of his sword to the boot toe; then facing to his own command, gives word for his successive brigades to pass us with the same position of the manual ”” honor answering honor.
On our part not a sound of trumpet more, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, nor motion of man standing again at the order, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead!
— Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain [1828-1914], The Passing of the Armies, on the surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865
Quite a fellow. A professor from Bowdoin (isn’t that your alma mater, Kendall?), volunteered for the Union Army, started as a lieutenant colonel, seriously wounded four times, eventually promoted to Brigadier General, commanded the regiment at Gettysburg that successfully held the Union army’s extreme left flank at Little Round Top, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, given the honor of commanding the troops who accepted the formal surrender of Lee’s army, later served as president of Bowdoin College and governor of Maine. The defense of Little Round Top was featured prominently in the wonderful movie, Gettysburg.
Thanks for this quote. It is quite wonderful and stirring.
I once stood on the spot where this salute was rendered, and could close my eyes and see the whole assembly almost as if I were there. Some places are haunted, and I think Appomattox CH is one of those. In a good way, of course….
BTW, Bowdoin is my alma mater, too (though I am no relation to the good Canon). Go Bears, indeed.
Yes, Bowdoin is my alma mater. He is one on my heroes. Before that movie and Ken Burns’ PBS series on the Civil War too few knew who he was. Thankfully that has now changed.
The Old Circuit Rider
I have stood at Appomattax CH and can visualize the event described. There was honor where honor was due. Having spent nearly 30 years in The United States Navy, I submit there is still honor in our great Military Forces.
I also stood on this spot at Appomattax Court House and read this account. I don’t mind saying that it brought tears to my eyes.
When my wife and I were visiting Bowdoin College, where she once taught, two summers ago, we toured the Chamberlain house. As magnificent as his service was to the Union, his service to his college and his state were also admirable, and the story is told there. He did not rest on his well-deserved laurels.
IMO, this quote from Gen’l. J.L. Chamberlain, reflects the only way that the nation could have successfully rebuilt itself after the WBTS.
Chamberlain was one of many, good honorable patriots (on both sides) who were willing to give their lives, health and fortunes to stand for what they held to be right.
Would that our nation today (generally I mean, NOT the military who still stand for these values), were as strongly honourable, as were our forbearers.