Maine Roads to Gettysburg: How Joshua Chamberlain, Oliver Howard, and 4,000 Men from the Pine Tree State Helped Win the Civil War's Bloodiest Battle

While Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Regiment are well known, Maine's role at the Battle of Gettysburg extends far beyond their story. During the three days of fighting in July 1863, soldiers from Maine participated across the entire battlefield. Oliver Otis Howard served as corps commander and helped secure high ground for the Union on the first day. Adelbert Ames drilled the 20th Maine—including Chamberlain—into a fighting regiment before commanding a brigade at Gettysburg. The 17th Maine fought in the Wheatfield on the second day, while the 19th Maine helped defeat Pickett's Charge. Chamberlain's regiment made their stand at Little Round Top. In total, approximately 4,000 men from Maine contributed to the Union victory at the Civil War's bloodiest battle.