the miracle at Gettysburg page 3

the miracle at Gettysburg page 3 by ric gustafson.


Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and Buster Kilrain walked out of the tent. Joshua squinted at the bright sun as they walked across the open field. " One hundred twenty men".
" Yes Colonel, all Maine men".
He coughed and tried to focus his eyes. He had walked eighty miles in four days through the hottest weather of the summer. He was still feeling the effects of sunstroke.
" Who are these men Kilrain?".
" Men from the disbanded Second Maine" he replied as they walked up to a group of men who were sitting on the ground . " They do not want to fight any longer".
Joshua now stood in front of the dejected soldiers.
" Oh, one more thing Colonel" Kilrain said as he pulled a memo from a pocket and studied it. " If these men refuse to fight, you have the right to shoot them".
Joshua turned his head in shock. " Shoot them!". The thirty four year old Professor of Rhetoric cleared his throat. " Have you boys eaten today?".
Several of the men shook their heads no.
" We have grievances Colonel" said a young man who was sitting up front. " The men have elected me to talk for them".
" Very well I'll talk to you, the rest of you go over to the food wagon and get something to eat".
After a long talk, Joshua and the man named Bucklin came out of the tent and walked back to the men.
Just then, a rider came up. " Is there a Chamberlain here?".
" Colonel Chamberlain".
" Sir, the Corps is moving out and your 20th Maine is to lead the way".
Joshua nodded and then looked at the men on the ground. " We are moving out and I have been ordered to take you with us"." he said with a serious look on his face. " If you would like to join us, we will give you a rifle and my thanks".



research help: ' The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara.



Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric