The Passing of the Armies

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The Passing of the Armies is a Civil War memoir written by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a renowned commander most famous for his actions on Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg. It is an autobiographical account describing Chamberlain's experiences throughout the latter half of the Civil War, on and off the battlefield. It follows his accounts through Petersburg, White Oak Road, Five Forks, and Appomattox (where Chamberlain was given the honor of accepting the Confederate surrender). Throughout the book, Chamberlain frequently expresses his respect for the soldiers of both the Confederacy and the Union. It was published by Putnam and Sons in 1915, a year after Chamberlain's death.

[edit] Appomattox

Respect for the Confederate Army, a common theme in the book, was never expressed greater than at Appomattox. Chamberlain recalled the events:

"We Formed...to face the last line of battle, and receive the last remnant of the arms and colors of that great army which ours had been created to confront for all that death can do for life."

Chamberlain goes on to recount how the withered remnants of the armies, formerly robust and strong at the beginning of the war, met up with each other. The remnant's of Hood's division at the Battle of Gettysburg united with the Union Third Corps exchanging mutual respect. He explains how Longstreet's corps could not be greeted properly after having exchanged volleys of fire and death with each other.