"Now we'll see how professors fight." This comment by Colonel Vincent alludes to the theme of Chamberlain's unusual background. He is not a politician, not a military man, but a professor. However, because he's not been trained to think like a West Pointer, he possesses the unique ability to objectively study situations and men, nurture and care for his regiment, see both sides of the fight, and do the unexpected.
It is these qualities that got the mutineers to join his group. Without his ability to influence people, the mutineers might not have joined the 20th Maine, and Chamberlain might not have had enough men to hold the flank. The entire Union line and the outcome of the battle were saved by the fact that he had enough men to do the job and that he could inspire those men to hold their positions. Chamberlain didn't have to threaten his men. He led them.
During battle, Chamberlain is calm, quiets the "talking" in his head, and just gets to work. In the middle of the fighting, he again shows that objective streak, noting that the men opposing him are very good. He feels strong emotions for Kilrain, like a son coming to the father to accept praise for a job well done. And he feels the loss when the man who has always been there is carried away. Lastly, Chamberlain experiences overwhelming joy when he reflects on what they've just done, and a sense of the importance of the moment.
