7.2 Expression of power relations in Union interactions
7.2.3 Col. Chamberlain confers with subordinates
This excerpt is taken from The Killer Angels. The battle of Gettysburg is nearing its climax of the second day as Hood’s assault on the Federal left reaches a critical stage: the 20th Maine regiment is positioned on the extreme left flank of the Union army, and that regiment receives repeated heavy blows from Hood’s infantry as the Confederates struggle to turn the enemy’s lines. As the battle rages on, the 20th Maine suffers nearly 50% losses and exhausts its
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ammunition. It is clear, however, that the Confederates are also greatly fatigued by the fight.
Knowing that a decisive blow must be struck immediately, Colonel Chamberlain, the commander of the regiment, is about to order the attack for which he and his men will become famed. Chamberlain calls for the other officers of the regiment to gather around and starts issuing orders.
“Let’s fix bayonets,”4 Chamberlain said.
For a moment no one moved.
“We’ll have the advantage of moving downhill,” he said.
Spear understood. His eyes saw; he nodded automatically
[…] 5
Chamberlain said, “They’ve got to be tired, those Rebs. They’ve got to be close to the end. Fix bayonets. Wait. Ellis, you take the left wing. I want a right wheel forward of the whole Regiment.”
Lieutenant Melcher said, perplexed, “Sir, excuse me but what’s a ‘right wheel
forward’?” 10
Ellis Spear said, “He means ‘charge’, Lieutenant, ‘charge’.”
Chamberlain nodded. “Not quite. We charge swinging down to the right. We straighten our line. Clarke hangs onto the Eight-third, and we swing like a door, sweeping
them down the hill. Understand? Everybody understand? Ellis, you take the left wing,
and when I yell you go for it, the whole Regiment goes forward, swinging to the right.” 15
“Well,” Ellis Spear said. He shook his head. “Well.”
“Let’s go.” Chamberlain raised his saber, bawled at the top of his voice,
“Fix bayonets!”
(The Killer Angels, 226)
Being the ranking officer and the commander of the regiment, it is up to Chamberlain to make the decisions on how the regiment will act during battles. Rather than giving the order to prepare for the charge straight away, Chamberlain says “Let’s fix bayonets”, as if presenting his idea to his subordinates and waiting for it to be commented on. The fact that “For a moment no one moved” tells a great deal about the situation at hand: the idea of charging overwhelming numbers with a single exhausted regiment sounds very hazardous, and so the officers are positively stunned by this suggestion. Chamberlain’s next line provides further evidence for the interpretation that he seems to be arguing a case instead of giving a direct order: “We’ll have the advantage of moving downhill.” It is mentioned in the novel that Chamberlain was a college professor and not a professional soldier like many others in the army; this could provide an explanation for the fact that he feels compelled to justify his plan.
Lieutenant Spear is the first to grasp Chamberlain’s scheme. Instead of acknowledging the order
4 Upon hearing the order ”fix bayonets”, infantrymen of the time were trained to attach bayonets (sharp blades with a socket) to their muskets, in practice turning the firearms into a spear for close combat. Often the sight of men charging with bayonets fixed was enough to make the opposing side flee in terror (Groom 2013:24).
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verbally or even protesting, he simply “[nods] automatically”. This seems to imply that Spear has great confidence in his commander. Chamberlain lists more arguments in favour of the charge and then, somewhat curiously, gives the order but says “Wait” and issues more detailed instructions. Note how Chamberlain addresses Spear by his first name Ellis; this hints at close relations between the two (both were professors by trade and indeed enjoyed each other’s company throughout the war, as is shown in the novels). Chamberlain orders “a right wheel forward of the whole Regiment”, thus employing specific military discourse and expecting to be understood. The meaning of the phrase is nevertheless lost on the “perplexed” Lieutenant Melcher, who promptly asks for clarification. He emphasizes his subordinate role by using both the honorific “Sir” and the polite phrase “excuse me”.
Spear, having understood the orders perfectly, shows signs of exasperation as he says “He means ‘charge’, Lieutenant, ‘charge’.” Spear’s repetition of the word “charge”, as if speaking deliberately clearly to a less intelligent being, and the fact that he cuts in before Chamberlain’s reply suggest an FTA towards Melcher’s positive face concerning his wish to be accepted by his fellows on the basis of his military knowledge. Spear’s line may in fact be interpreted as a double FTA, as he can be regarded as attacking Chamberlain’s negative face as well, i.e.
Chamberlain’s wish to speak for himself is being threatened here.
Regardless of that, Chamberlain’s polite line “Not quite” combined with him nodding create an interesting situation where Chamberlain seems to redress Spear’s FTA towards Melcher and at the same time expresses his intention of correcting Spear’s interpretation. Chamberlain then explains his plan, i.e. making the whole regiment wheel to the right while maintaining contact with the neighbouring 83rd Pennsylvania regiment. He ends the explanation by asking
“Understand? Everybody understand?” on line 14, arguably wanting to make sure that all officers comprehend how the risky manoeuvre is to be executed.
Chamberlain repeats his order for Spear to take command of the left half of the regiment (again using his first name) and also repeats the order for the right wheel. It makes sense that a superordinate repeats his orders at least once in chaotic battle conditions and especially when carrying out difficult movements that require precision from the troops. Spear’s acknowledgment of the order, on the other hand, is highly unusual. He utters “Well”, shakes his head and repeats the word “Well”. One is left with the impression that Spear is greatly impressed with Chamberlain’s audacious plan; his words seem to carry the same meaning as the phrase
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“Well I’ll be” could carry in the same situation, for instance. Be that as it may, Spear’s informal reply is another token of the friendly relationship between the two professors. The discussion is concluded by Chamberlain, who says “Let’s go” and then shouts the order “Fix bayonets!”
In conclusion, the irregular structure of the turn-taking and the content of the turns themselves in this excerpt make the discussion interesting. Chamberlain starts the exchange: since his first line is not exactly a direct order, it does not draw prompt replies, and so Chamberlain resorts to making numerous arguments to persuade the other officers. Chamberlain’s brief military experience and the fact that he is relatively new to the command of the regiment could very well explain his unusual justifying here. Nevertheless, this is followed by a more assertive tone, as Chamberlain gives commands in a rapid succession, e.g. “Fix bayonets”, “Wait”, and also the words “I want” on line 7 show clearly who is in command. Lieutenant Melcher requests an explanation very properly, which unfortunately draws an FTA from Lieutenant Spear.
Chamberlain handles his superior role adeptly, as he manages to both redress Spear’s FTA and explain his plan in a way that leaves nothing unclear. To make that sure, he asks repeatedly if all the officers understand him. Both Chamberlain and Spear go against military etiquette in their informal exchanges, which nevertheless seems to hasten their discussion rather than hamper it.