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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 1 |
| Milforum Moderator  | Post; Dear Sir, I could have killed you but I did notA letter from A soldier of the 15th Alabama Regiment to General Joshua Chamberlain sent years after the Civil War Dear Sir: I want to tell you of a little passage in the Battle of Little Round Top, Gettysburg, concerning you and me, which I am glad of. Twice in that fight I had your life in my hands. I got a safe place betweeen 2 rocks, and drew a bead fair and square on you. You were standing in the open behind the center of your line, full exposed. I knew your rank by your uniform and your actions, and I thought it a mighty good thing to put you out of the way. I started to pull the trigger, but some queer notion stopped me. Then I got ashamed of my weakness and and went through the same motions again. I had you, perfectly certain. But that same queer something shut down on me. I couldn't pull the trigger, and, gave it up - that is, your life. I am glad of it now, and hope you are too. Yours Truly
__________________ "The best form of taking care of troops is first-class training, for this saves unnecessary casualties." Erwin Rommel |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 2 |
| Primus Pilus | imagine actually getting a letter like that. i would probably never go outside again, and keep all the doors and windows covered for the rest of my life. thats just toooooo creepy
__________________ And shepards we shall be For thee, My Lord, for thee Power hath descended forth from thy hand That our feet may quickly carry out thy command So we shall flow a river forth to thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be In nomini Patri, et Fili, Spiritus Sancti Veritas, Aequitas |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 3 |
| Godfather | Wow. Very interesting Doody!  |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 4 |
| Milforum's Bouncer | Doody, where'd you find this gem?
__________________ "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." - John Steinbeck |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 5 |
| Chief Engineer | Sends chills up & down my spine.
__________________ "It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." - Norman Schwarskopf, Commander of Desert Storm Operations  |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 6 |
| Optio | id be scared as hell 2 go out
__________________ Soon To Be SEAL  |
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June 22nd, 2006
| Post 7 |
| Milforum Idol | Id be thanking the Lord and attempt to find the guy and thank him.
__________________ C/1Lt Ret. Henderson "Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think."- Fortune Cookie |
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June 23rd, 2006
| Post 8 |
| Optio | me thinks hed be my best friend after that |
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June 23rd, 2006
| Post 9 |
| Milforum's Bouncer | Doody, where'd ya find this?? |
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June 23rd, 2006
| Post 10 |
| Milforum Moderator | the book "Bayonet! Forward": My Civil War Reminiscences by Major General Joshua Chamberlain. When I get the time, I will post his reaction to the letter. I just got th book and saw that letter when Chamberlain wrote about the Battle of Little Round Top. |
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