Effective Military Leadership

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Although there is much debate over the varying level of effective leadership in the Battle of Gettysburg, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain could very well take the cake for his valiant defense of Little Round Top, revered knowledge and application of battlefield tactics, and uncanny calmness in the face of unprecedented opposition. Among the vast battlefield at the Battle of Gettysburg, there were many capable and effective military leaders: General Lee of the Confederate Army, General Meade of the Union Army, General Longstreet under General Lee, and many more. However, in many eyes, the test of effective leadership can be seen most clearly in desperate and clouted situations. None more desperate than the defense of Little Round Top, a key sector…show more content…
Oates, charged up the hill, attempting to flank the Union position.” Moreover, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain was subject to Confederate attacks “time and time again”, eventually running nearly out of ammunition and suffering immense casualties. The defense of the flank was successful and as valiant as words can describe, but there was a counterattack to be had to ensure that the Confederate flank would not attack again. Leading and designing the counterattack, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain made a decisive decision to charge with bayonets, a risky play because his unit was running low on ammunition and had an extensive amount of dead and wounded soldiers. Using his knowledge of military tactics, he lead his bayonet charge downhill and left to effectively flank the oncoming combatants. Although injured twice during the charge, a bruise to his thigh from a shot to his sword scabbard, and an entry wound to his right foot, he was left without any lasting effects from his valiant and impeccably effective charge. This sort of bravery and split­second decision making wasn’t uncommon in the high ranks of either of the armies, but it certainly came in drastically different portions. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain had definitely displayed this trait to

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