Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain, having been shot June 18, 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg and believing he was going to die (he would live another 50 years), penned a letter to his wife, shared here amid National Letter Writing Month and the Civil War’s sesquicentennial, with thanks to the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives.
June 19, 1864
My darling wife
I am lying mortally wounded the doctors think, but my mind & heart are at peace Jesus Christ is my all-sufficient savior. I go to him. God bless & keep & comfort you, precious one. You have been a precious wife to me. To know & love you makes life & death beautiful. Cherish the darlings & give my love to all the dear ones Do not grieve too much for me. We shall all soon meet Live for the children & give my dearest love to Father & mother & Sallie & John Oh how happy to feel yourself forgiven God bless you evermore precious precious one.
Ever
yours
Lawrence
Visit the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain digital archive.
As the parent of a Bowdoin alum. I enjoy the Bowdoin Daily Sun very much. I just watched the Ken Burns Civil War series again on our local PBS station and must admit prior to my son attending Bowdoin, I didn’t notice the sections about Chamberlain much more than the others. During this viewing,I appreciated his intellect and insight much more. He really was a remarkable man. Since it is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War maybe more mention will be made of him around the college. I think I’ll write my son a real letter in honor of Chamberlain and National Letter Writing Month. Thanks for the inspiration!