Battle of Lewis Farm, and the Curious Wounding of Joshua Chamberlain: Petersburg Video Tour!

Doug Ullman and Will Greene show you a scene that looks almost identical to how it did during the Civil War as General Ulysses S. Grant launched his “final offensive” to unhinge General Robert E. Lee from Richmond and Petersburg on March 29, 1865. Lee would surrender his army at Appomattox just 11 days later.

[georgebeckydragan]

In many ways, these last days of the War are among my favorite to place myself. After reading Chamberlain's book, The Passing of the Armies, I came out to this area during the 150th anniversary dates, book in hand, and walked not only this ground, but the surrounding ground on the back roads leading up to this battle and the Boydton Plank Rd, as well as a pilgrimage (of sorts) from here all the way to Appomattox following the Confederates trail of tears. It was quite the moving experience which I shall not forget.

[tinaphillips]

The serious wound that Chamberlain did receive at Petersburg was the one that entered thru his hip, went thru his bladder and exited thru his other hip. He was so badly wounded that they called up his brother Thomas Chamberlain bc they feared the wound mortal. He miraculously survived the horrific wound and would return to the field and was at Appomattox during the surrender. He died in 1914 and it was determined that the wound he received 50 years ago at Petersburg was the cause of his death

[valliemackrell]

You guys really know your history. I watched many of your videos one right after the other. I grew up in the area and spent much of my teenage years around the places you talk about. So wonderful to see it being shown to the world.

[stephenhenion]

The final skirmishes of the Civil War are quite fascinating. The final rounds of an epic knock down fight.

[TooFarWest]

Chamberlain’s book Passing of the Armies is a beautiful example of true Edwardian prose rarely depicted by even the most skillful writer’s of the period. Had he totally embraced the course of a poet-writer I think Universities across America today would regard him as one of our finest Classical poet-writers.

[richardglady]

What a wonderful view, I am glad it is still the same for over 150 years. Thank you.

[lawrencemyers]

Good video. Always found the last year of the War in the East fascinating. This just whets my appetite to learn more.

[janupczak]

Thank YOU! Another brilliant trip and story. Gives me chills too...looking out at those trees, the grass, the road, it all becomes so real.❤

[RockinLBuckingBulls]

ABT thank you for taking my money and saving theses incredible pieces of history.

[timmylee]

Another wonderful presentation, im doing my best to travel to the battlefield's. So far it's been Gettysburg, John Hunt Morgan's raid through Ohio, Shiloh, Bull Run, Petersburg.... every time I visit, it's been great. Really brings home the sacrifice's these men made.

[scotts]

Thanks, love the History. Thank you for documenting, would like to see you interview the people that live on the Battlefield. There experience

[eman]

You guys rock, thank you for all your work...

[DeepRiverAsheville]

These is a wonderful series of videos about Petersburg, but y’all need to label them in chronological sequence so they unfold and tell the story of the siege.

[stonesinmyblood]

Thanks for another great history lesson of our Civil War 👍

[lefin]

excellent content, thanks for doing these!

[mandyisdandy]

My brother in law used to live directly across from where this video was filmed on Quaker rd.

[OCRay]

Did Chamberlain live to write for the Warren Commission? His magic bullet sounds familiar

[tedbrogan]

Are you guys going to do Five Forks then?

[alonsocushing]

Wherever possible these former ACW battlefields in private hands, need to be purchased and maintained for the public.

[tva]

I am in great appreciation of the work of the ABT, though I am a little disappointed in the manner they dealt with Chamberlain’s account of his wound. While I recognize, as alluded to in this video, that action accounts of veterans may contain errors / exaggerations, of which Chamberlain is not exempt from. Despite this and first of all, Chamberlain never indicated this wound was life threatening, just the potential was there if his horse had not reared and caught part of the trajectory of the ball.

Secondly, Chamberlain clearly indicates he was mostly disoriented by the blow. He does describe the scene rather colorfully as he is covered in a mingling of his and his horses blood. ( Passing of the Armies 1915)

The potential seriousness of his wound was touched on in the history of the 198th PA, by Major Woodward (he actually refers to two wounds one to his breast. ) Woodward also notes that Chamberlain was temporally disoriented and later refers to the wounding of his horse. (History of the 198th, 1884)

While some may argue Woodward may have pulled from an earlier account from Chamberlain as he spoke often of events in the war, Woodward’s history was published within 20 years of the war with many who could contradict still alive.

Even earlier Gen Griffin, JLC’s commander, in the WOR publication of his recognition of JLC actions at the end of the war also states Chamberlain was wounded twice while referring to events of Quaker Road (Lewis Farm). Griffin, WOR, 1865, April)

Again I applaud the vital efforts of ABT and greatly enjoy their videos. I also acknowledge we will never know the exact nature of JLC’s wound and how it unfolded, but it is my hope ABT won’t be so dismissive of things which amount to historical opinions.