Part Two, Chapters 23-26 Summary

In Chapter 23, arriving at the camp ground where the Twentieth Maine is assembling, Chamberlain is surprised to find his brother has signed up as well. The next day Colonel Ames, arrives and begins training Chamberlain and the regiment. After less than a month the regiment is sent to Washington and then northwest to Maryland as part of the Union army going to fight Lee. During the march we are introduced to Sergeant Kilrain who informs Chamberlain that the men of the regiment have been watching him and are happy about the kind of officer he is becoming.

When battle is joined Chamberlain and his men are held in reserve. He nearly gets killed by some artillery when he goes out on top of an exposed hill, needlessly exposing himself and his men to enemy fire. It is...