GDG- Chamberlain's Charge

[Thomas Eishen]

While researching my novel Courage on Little Round Top, I found two letters Chamberlain wrote to his wife, one dated July 4 and the other July 7.  Both talk about the charge and the number of men captured, 300 to 400.  Also, Chamberlain mentions they captured troops were from Alabama and Texas.  While I think the number of captured might be high, by mentioning the Texas troops it appears the 20th's right wing went pretty far to the west across the face of the hill.

He also wrote that the Generals were very impressed with his taking and holding Big Round Top.  I think the men who were there during the fighting put more of an emphasis on Big Round Top then we do today.  

I was lucky enough to spend about an hour with Tom Desjardin's on Little Round Top shortly before his book came out.  He shared his research on the charge and I filled up in on what I'd found on Robert Wicker, the officer Chamberlain captured during the charge.  

Tom Eishen