Thanks for the info.

It looks now like we can definitely say that Robert Rodes was the guiding force behind the sharpshooter battalions. Blackford's battalion in Rodes' old brigade was the first, and when Rodes assumed division command he directed that all brigades in the division also organize a sharpshooter battalion. These look to have fought at both Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

So I can definitely document sharpshooter battalions in early 1863 in O'Neal's, Doles, Ramseur's, and Iverson's brigades of Rodes' division. Anyone have any info on Colquitt's brigade?

In early 1864 Lee directed that all infantry brigades form sharpshooter battalions on this pattern.

Fred