United States Sharpshooters

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Pvt.s Sands and Kenny, CoB. 1st USSS

Chauncey B. Maltby -

Co. B 2nd U.S.S.S

Houghton 2nd USSS (in sack coat)

Men of Co. F 2nd USSS

Sgt Joslin 2nd USSS

“Bummers” of Co. B 2nd USSS

Rev. Lorenzo Barber

Chaplain 2nd USSS

Sharpshooters of the Civil War

"A Good Shot" Painting by Dale Gallon

United States Sharpshooters

History of the U.S. Sharpshooters;

The two U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments (sometimes called “Berdan’s Sharpshooters”, after Colonel Hiram Berdan who organized the regiments) were among the finest riflemen in the Union army.

To determine the quality of the recruit, a test was devised in which each applicant must fire ten consecutive shots at a ten inch diameter target two hundred yards away from a resting position, without missing a single shot. Any sight options were able to be used – standard iron sights, globe sights or telescopic sights. While telescopic sights might sound as if they would give the user an unsporting advantage, telescopic sights of the time averaged around 4X, which was just enough to isolate a single individual at that range.

Unlike standard regiments, where the entire regiment was drawn from a specific state, each company was formed in a particular state to insure the highest quality recruit with the best shooting ability. Second Regiment was mustered into service after only eight companies (rather than the standard 10) had been recruited, with future new recruits being used to fill gaps in existing companies rather than to form additional companies.

First U.S. Sharpshooters

Company A – New York (Capt. Casper Trepp), mustered September 1861

Company B – New York (Capt. Stephen Martin), mustered September 1861

Company C – Michigan (Capt. Benjamin Duesler), mustered August 1861

Company D – New York (Capt. George S. Tuckerman), mustered September 1861

Company E – New Hampshire (Capt. Amos B. Jones), mustered September 1861

Company F – Vermont (Capt. Edmund Weston), mustered September 1861

Company G – Wisconsin (Capt. Edward Drew), mustered September 1861

Company H – New York (George G. Hastings), mustered September 1861

Company I – Michigan (Capt. A. M. Willett), mustered March 1862

Company K – Michigan (Capt. S. J. Mather), mustered March 1862

Second U.S. Sharpshooters

Company A – Minnesota (Capt. Francis Petler), mustered October 1861

Company B – Michigan (Capt. Andrew B. Stuart), mustered October 1861

Company C – Pennsylvania (Capt. John B. Dewey), mustered October 1861

Company D – Maine (Capt. James D. Fessenden), mustered November 1861

Company E – Vermont (Capt. Homer R. Stoughton), mustered November 1861

Company F – New Hampshire (Capt. Henry M. Caldwell), mustered November 1861

Company G – New Hampshire (Capt. William D. McPherson), mustered December 1861

Company H – Vermont (Capt. Gilbert Hart), mustered December 1861

Unlike most Federal Infantrymen, the Sharpshooters did not dress in the archetypical blue uniform. Instead they were clad in frock-coats and trousers of dark green wool. Partially the choice was because the color blended in with the grass and underbrush. But the primary reason was that Colonel Berdan, like most officers of his day, was a student of the Napoleonic wars in Europe. During that time period, most troops carried smooth bore muskets. Prussian, and later British, soldiers who were armed with more accurate rifled guns wore green uniforms as a sign of distinction. If it was good enough for Blucher and Wellington, it was good enough for Berdan. It was this uniform that earned them the nickname of “treefrogs” by those who observed them.

Later, as uniforms began to wear out and if resupply was not available, the sharpshooters would add bits of the Federal blue uniform. By 1865, some men were wearing the standard blue sack coat and sky blue trousers of the Army, with only a green forage cap, and their Sharps rifle to mark them as Sharpshooters.

Initial recruiting specified that any man who brought his civilian target rifle from home would be compensated at the rate of $60 per rifle. While the rifles were initially utilized, the promise of compensation was not kept and the majority of the target rifles were sent home by the men. Additionally, the Sharpshooters were promised the New Model 1859 Sharps Rifle, but initially were issued the Colt Revolving rifle. This substitution was caused by several factors (mainly production issues and politics) and nearly caused a mutiny. Eventually, after direct intervention by President Lincoln, the Sharpshooters were issued the New Model 1859 breech-loading Sharps Rifle, with double-set triggers (the DST modification was specified as part of the order to Sharps Manufacturing by Col. Berdan and the cost was part of the reason the War Department opposed the rifles). The sharpshooters were deadly accurate with which ever weapon they carried.

Although their duties did often include shooting specific targets among the Southern ranks, the U.S. Sharpshooters were not what later came to be called “snipers”. Their primary job was to act as skirmishers. They would deploy either on the flanks or in advance of the Union lines, where they, with accurate long-range fire, would break up enemy formations before the Confederate troops could close with the blue-jacketed troops.

The Sharpshooter Squad:

Our sharpshooter squad (called the Chosen Mess) is organized under the Keystone Regiment Reenacting Club.

We portray no specific Regiment or Company, just a Federal Sharpshooter squad in general.

We fight as skirmishers, following the drill described in Casey’s Infantry tactics.

Our standard for appearance of the uniform, weapon and kit is early to mid 1863 (Chancellorsville through Gettysburg). Our Leadership will be happy to answer any questions you may have with regard to uniform, weapons and equipment, or click on the "Getting Started" link on the Home Page.

Recruiting:

We are always looking for a few good men (or women) and would love to have you join our ranks.

Inquiries regarding membership can be made through the "Contact Us" page, or by clicking on the “Recruitment” link on the Home Page.

Pvt./Bvt. Cpl.

C. Munro

Berdan's

United States

Sharpshooters

The "Chosen Mess"

March along the historic route

On May 15, 2010, seven members of the Chosen Mess replicated, in part, the movements of the 2nd USSS, Co C on July 2, 1863.

The march began at Munshower Knoll and proceeded down the Wheatfield Road before turning south along the Emmitsburg Road (SR 15), thence onto a maintenance road to the farmhouse at the location of the 2nd USSS Companies E and H marker. The route then went overland towards Devil’s Den, before joining Crawford Avenue to Warren Avenue, and finally onto Sykes Avenue to end at the crest of Little Round Top. Total distance was approximately five miles.

At the commencement of the march, a replica of the 2nd USSS Regimental Flag was brought forth, much to the surprise of the commanding officer. The march was performed in light marching order (i.e. no knapsacks, but otherwise full kit), which is how the majority of the men would have been marching in 1863.

Below are photos of this historic march....