It is one of the most dramatic stories to come out of the Civil War. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain of the Union Army's 20th main regiment received orders from General George Meade to shoot 120 deserters, or take them with him into battle at Gettysburg. No one would be allowed to return home. At this point in time, the Union army was demoralized and in disarray, and Chamberlain's decision would be a monumental one. He walked slowly to where the deserters waited, knowing that he had to make a decision about the fate of these men in a matter of minutes.

What do you suppose he planned to do when he reached them? Would he order them to be executed? Would he order them to follow him into battle, and kill only those who refused to accompany him? What would he do? Would he even want to go into battl…