Post by flippyxtrem on Jul 6, 2005 18:40:16 GMT -5
These Gents are the Berdan's Sharpshooters (Gettysburg)
During the Civil War there were two green uniformed regiments in Federal service - the first and second Regiment of the United States Sharpshooters.
The Sharpshooters were armed with the most reliable rifles. These men can be like scouts, snipers and skirmishers.
Colonel Berdan called out for the best shooters in the North to form companies of sharp shooters. Each applicant had to pass a shooting test. No man was accepted who could not put ten bullets in succession within a ten-inch circle at 200 yards at a rest and 100 yards offhand. The training was practical and rough. The sharp shooters were taught never to expose themselves recklessly, to take cover whenever possible, and to waste no ammunition just for the sake of shooting. Unlike regular line companies, the sharpshooters learned to take orders by bugle call, an imitation of European light infantry. The sharpshooters remained in camps from September 1861 to March 1862.
The sharpshooters outfit consisted of a dark green coat and cap with a black plume, light blue trousers later exchanged for green ones. They had leather leggings and a knapsack that was made of hair-covered calfskin, with a cooking kit attached. By the dress they were known far and wide as the "Green Coats."
The Sharps rifle was one of the most expensive guns. They cost $12 to $35 each for a Springfield.
The sharpshooters also carried in their wagons a "target rifle" for long distance shooting. Weighing 30 pounds a piece, the target rifles were mounted with a brass seven power scope that greatly aided the aim of the marksman. Unlike the sharps rifle, the target rifles were muzzle loaders and were used only when the armies were in static positions.
The Berdans were at South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In fact no other regiment had more monuments in its honor at Gettysburg than do the sharpshooters
(The Wilderness)
THIS UNIT IS ONE OF THE MUSTS ;D