Ronald White, guest author, recounts how, in 1880, Maine faced an armed insurrection following a disputed election known as the "Great Count-out," where the Democratic governor manipulated ballot results. Chamberlain was summoned to Augusta to maintain or

Ronald White, guest author, recounts how, in 1880, Maine faced an armed insurrection following a disputed election known as the "Great Count-out," where the Democratic governor manipulated ballot results. Chamberlain was summoned to Augusta to maintain order and famously faced down an enraged mob at the state house, opening his coat and daring them to kill him. This 12-day stand preserved the peace until the Supreme Court could rule, a moment he considered his finest service. Following his presidency, he testified to restore the honor of General Warren and attempted a failed real estate venture in Florida to secure his financial future. He also became a key figure in the "second Civil War" of words, using his rhetorical mastery to navigate fierce post-war debates among veterans over the true history of battles like Gettysburg. Despite his aging body and unhealed wounds, he remained a tireless defender of historical truth and veteran honor. On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (7)
1879 AUGUSTA