Confederate Sharpshooters

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

Re: Which Rifle for a Sharpshooter Impression.

Hey

Later on Today I will call the commander and ask him what exactly he means by "Sharpshooter".


Adam Ward
Sykes Regulars
NR

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Davidson Telescopic Sight

Would these side mounts be the correct mounts for this particualr application?

For those who may be interested this Whitworth is for sale but not by me. I have no part of the sale of this rifle. PM me and I'll give you the details.

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Davidson Telescopic Sight

It looks close, but not quite right from the info I have seen. There should be a pivot on the off side of the rifle that has a graduated scale for ranges. The concept was that the rifle elevated and the scope stayed on target.

[Mich8th]

Confederate Sharpshooters

Good Day,

I have not seen this posted as of yet so thought I would do so in case anyone would like to know. In the resent issue of American Rifleman there is a good artical on Confederate Sharpshooters, it is a little short but I thought nicely written. If you have a friend or can find a issue of it, this artical is worth reading.
Mich8th

[guad42]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

I read that article. Yes, somewhat interesting. There has been some books written on the subject one of which if "Georgia Sharpshooter" I believe.

Sam Kilborn Dolan

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Which Rifle for a Sharpshooter Impression.

Depending on what unit also, you may or may not have a sleeve insignia (this was used in order for officers not to shoot the roaming sharpshooters as mistaken shirkers :p )

That also depends on what Theater.. so far from what I have come to understand, the only use of badges by Confederate sharpshooters occured in the ANV. They were not used in the Army of Tenn. (sources Our Connection With Savannah; Shock Troops of the Confederacy; and Sharpshooters of the American Civil War, 1861-1865)

[Rebbeh]

Re: Which Rifle for a Sharpshooter Impression.

That also depends on what Theater.. so far from what I have come to understand, the only use of badges by Confederate sharpshooters occured in the ANV. They were not used in the Army of Tenn. (sources Our Connection With Savannah; Shock Troops of the Confederacy; and Sharpshooters of the American Civil War, 1861-1865)

True. IMHO I should have been more thorough in my original post

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Which Rifle for a Sharpshooter Impression.

Curt, yes they do......especially Army of Northern Virginia. Start with "Shock Troops of the Confederacy". Eugene Blackford's private papers (quoted extensively throughout the book) are especially revealing. One of the reason's that Iverson gets KO'd severely on July 1st 1863 by Baxter is their lack of a skirmish line....their skirmishers having been organized into the Division Sharpshooter Battalion under Blackford....who were being used to maintain a firepower line from Oak Hill in the West to Gordon's troops by Steven's Run over by 'Barlow's Knoll'.

The simple PEC answer to this thread is a P53 Enfield......2 bander rifles being banned from many reenacting events.

RJ,

I agree with you. Out here in the west, the organized Sharpshooter battalions were used as skirmishers. For example the 2nd Battn, Georgia Sharpshooters led the advance of Gist's brigade to Franklin and later Nashville as advance guards, and as skirmishers.

As regards the use of "long range rifles" I humbly submit the following:

WAR DEPARTMENT
Adjutant and Inspector General's Office

Richmond, May 3, 1862

General Orders No. 34

I. The following act of Congress, and accompanying regulations, are published for the information of all concerned.

An act to organize battalions of Sharp-shooters (sic)

Sec 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, that the Secretary of War may cause to be organized a battalion of sharp-shooters for each brigade, consisting of not less that three nor more than six companies, to be composed of men selected from the brigade, or otherwise, and armed with LONG RANGE MUSKETS OR RIFLES; said companies to be organized and commissioned officers therefore appointed by the President, by the and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Such battalions shall constitute parts of the the brigades to which they belong, and shall have such field and staff officers as are authorized by law for similar battalions, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Sec 2. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of arming said battalions, the LONG RANGE MUSKETS AND RIFLES in the hands of troops may be taken for that purpose provided; the Government has not at its command a sufficient number of approved LONG RANGE RIFLES OR MUSKETS wherewith to arm said Corps [Approved April 21, 1862]

II. Generals commanding military departments may cause to be organized within their commands battalions of sharp-shooters, as provided in this act, in such numbers as they may deem necessary, not exceeding one such battalion for each brigade, and will report to the department the organization of such corps, recommending for appointment the commissioned officers allowed by law.

III. In organizing such battalions, Generals commanding may cause such details or transfers to be made as will not reduce any company or corps below the minimum number required by law, taking the men for each such battalion , so far as possible, from the particular brigade of which it is to form part,

IV Requisitions will be made upon the Ordnance department for the arms for such battalions; and, until the said requisitions can be filled, the Generals commanding may cause such exchanges and transfers of LONG RANGE MUSKETS AND RIFLES to be made as may be necessary to arm the said battalion, returning surplus arms, when such requisitions are filled, to the Ordnance department.

V. Supplementary to General Order no 30, Section VI.

The commissions of the staff officers of reorganized regiments and battalions of the twelve months volunteers are not affected by such reorganization, except that of the Adjutant, whose commission expires with that of the commanding officer, if the said officer be not re-elected

By command of the Secretary of War


S. COOPER
Adjutant and Inspector General




I apologize for the Upper case, couldn't figure out how to make the italics work.

The long range rifles and muskets alluded to are no doubt rifled-muskets and 'two banders'

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

Hallo!

Yes, IMHO.. the reference is to the 900 and 1000 yard-sighted "Springfield" and "Enfield" type arms.

(My original comment pertained to the heavy, scoped, "target" rifles... ;-) )

Curt

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

Curt,

Ya know, I should have thought of that! Just goes to show what a double shift and then too many hours of overtime does to the rational thought process! My humble apologies!

Your Servant,

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

Bobby,
While searching black powder sites I came across this site down in your neck of the woods. They had Davidson mounts for whitworth rifles. Check them out as I not to up on this particular application.

http://www.bearclawstradingpost.com/whitworth.html

They really FARBed this whitworth by mounting a older Weaver 2X scope but it gets the picture across of mounting a scope.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

I found some information to add to this monster thread:

I am currently reading, “First regiment Engineer Troops P.A.C.S – Robert E. Lee’s Combat Engineers” by Harry L. Jackson. While reading last night, on pages 68 & 69, the 1st Regt was doing some engineering work in support of the Sharpshooters.

The first device described was kind of a mini embrasure, like for cannon, made of heavy timber and wrought iron. Although it provided good protection for the Sharpshooter, the device attracted the wrath of artillery.

The second device was a box about 4 feet long and 6-8 inches square that would carry the smoke of the discharge of his weapon a few feet to the left or right. Thus return fire from the Federal lines was diverted out of harms way for the shooter. Apparently the device was so successful, that over 1500 were produced in just a few days for use on the parapets of the trenches.

[Gary of CA]

Re: Confederate Sharpshooters

Since the subject of patches came up, here's a paper that has a short discussion on the topic: Link