20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
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The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an important combat unit of the United States Army during the American Civil War.
It played a pivotal role on July 2,1863 in the Battle of Gettysburg. At Gettysburg it was stationed on Little Round Top when it came under heavy attack from the Confederate 15th Alabama regiment, which was part of the division led by Maj. Gen. John Bell Hood. It responded valiantly by charging downhill with bayonets and it helped bring an end to the attack on the hill. This action is one of the most important scenes in the movie Gettysburg.
The regiment was commanded by Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who was portrayed in the movies Gettysburg and Gods and Generals. Major Ellis Spear took command after Chamberlain was promoted to Brigadier General, however.