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Berdan's 2nd Regiment
Company C
United States
Sharpshooters
The "Chosen Mess"
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Thom Gressman ~
Calum Munro ~
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The Squad;
2nd Lieutenant Thom Gressman as Chaplain Lorenzo Barber
Corporal Calum Munro
Private Jake Guiher
Private Tad P. Munro
Private Adam Ward
Private Jarret Wasko
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
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"A Good Shot" Painting by Dale Gallon
"Good Shot" Photograph by Kariena Whatule
Calum Munro ~ firing
Jake Guiher ~ pointing
Thom Gressman ~ kneeling and observing
2nd Regiment
United States Sharpshooters
History of the 2nd 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 that each applicant must fire ten consecutive rounds free standing at a ten inch diameter target one hundred yards away and then fire an additional ten rounds at a ten inch diameter target two hundred yards away from a resting position, without missing a single shot.
The Second Sharpshooter Regiment, commanded by Col. Henry A.V. Post was made up of eight (instead of the usual ten) companies. Each company was formed in a particular state. Company C was mustered from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in October 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. Another reason was 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, and if it was good enough for Blucher and Wellington, it was good enough for Berdan.
Later, as uniforms began to wear out, 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, with only a green forage cap, and their Sharps rifle to mark them as sharpshooters.
Sharpshooters were issued the New Model 1859 breech-loading Sharps Rifle, often with double-set triggers. Some men brought civilian target rifles from home. Others carried the Colt Revolving Rifle, or the Spencer lever-action repeating rifle. Some of these weapons were outfitted with early 4 to 6 power telescopic sights. The sharpshooters were deadly accurate with which ever weapon they carried.
Although their duties included shooting specific targets among the Southern ranks, the US Sharpshooters were not what later came to be called “snipers”. Their primary job was to act as skirmishers. They would be deployed 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 is organized under, and as a part of the Keystone Regiment.
Currently, the squad is commanded by 2nd Lt. Thomas Gressman, in the persona of Chaplain Lorenzo Barber, and Corporal Calum Munro.
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). Lt. Gressman or Cpl. Munro will be happy to answer any questions you may have with regard to uniform, weapons and equipment.
Recruiting;
All members of our sharpshooter squad are also asked to become members of the Keystone Regiment.
Inquiries regarding membership can be directed to Captain Michael Gherrity, Lt. Thom Gressman or Corporal Calum Munro, or by clicking on the “Recruitment” link on the Keystone Regiment’s
Home Page.
Background Music:
"Sniper" by Fianna
from the CD "All Things In Time"
(To stop the music, press your "stop" or red "X" button).
Cpl. Calum Munro
Lieut. Thom Gressman
Pvt. Tad P. Munro
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Pvt. Jarret Wasko
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Click Thumbnails To View Larger Image
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Click Thumbnails To View Larger Image
On May 15, 2010 the Sharpshooters Squad took a field trip to Gettysburg, PA. for an historic march in the path of their predecessors. As close to the original path that the 2nd Regiment USSS took, their march went from Munshower Knoll / area of the Munshower farm (intersection of Sedgewick and Wheatfield roads), where the Regiment camped on the night of July 1, 1863. Then out Wheatfield road to the Emmitsburg Road. Turned South on Emmitsburg road to the Slyder Farm Lane. (One report says the 2nd Reg. was positioned across a farm lane which intersected the Emmitsburg Rd.) They turned onto the lane and went to the Slyder Farm, then headed overland roughly NNE toward Devil's Den. From the Den, up to Little Round Top (where the Regiment fought on July 2, 1863), then back to Munshower Knoll.
Before the march got underway, a new Regimental Flag was presented to Lt. Gressman as a surprise. The group carried this flag throughout the march with pride and honor. Here are a few photos of that historic march through the fields of Gettysburg in the path of those who had gone before and marched to glory.
The "March to Glory"
