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Re: Sharpshooters
In Response To: Sharpshooters ()

Posted by Alan Pitts to the Alabama Message Board on April 4, 2005.

Based on the law of April 21, 1862, sharpshooter battalions were authorized for each brigade. These were to be created by the Secretary of War, with field officers appointed by the President with the advice and consent of Congress. Several of these were established in what later became the Army of Tennessee.

In the Army of Northern Virginia, however, brigade sharpshooter battalions served as ad hoc units assembled to meet special combat needs. Officers and men (including Blackford) continued to be carried on the rolls of their original regiments and companies. Equipment, pay and rations were issued as they always had been. For that reason there were never any muster rolls.

Posted by Rob W. to the Alabama Message Board on April 4, 2005.

Here are the relevant orders from the national arhcives:

Headqtrs Division
Jan. 28, 1863

Genl Order
No 6

A corps of sharpshooters will be at once organized for each Brigade in the following manner.

Each corps will number one twelfth of the men now present for duty in its Brig. It will be composed of picked men, who may volunteer for the service & armed with long range pieces. An officer not below the rank of Captain selected for his gallantry & experience will be detailed by the Brigade commander to command the corps & each regimental detail will be commanded by a Subaltern volunteering for the duty.

The corps of Sharpshooters thus formed will be constantly drilled as Skirmishers by its commander but is not to be considered a separate command except in the immediate presence of the enemy when it will cover the front of the brigade. At all other times the officers and men belonging to it will remain & do duty with their respective Regts.

If practicable it is recommended that the corps be drilled under the superintentance of the Brig.

By Command of Brig. Gen. Rodes
Archer Anderson
AAGen

Headquarters Iverson?s Brigade
Jan. 28, 1863

Circular

Regimental Comdrs will organize their respective quotas of this corps according to the provisions of Gen order No 6 without any delay & make their reports as soon as the organization is complete.

By Order of Brig. Gen. Iverson
D. P. Halsey
A.A. Genl.

Hd Qtrs. Iverson?s Brig.
May 25, 1863

Special Order
No 10

In accordance with Special Order #60 ANV Hdqrs a second battalion of sharpshooters will at once be organized in this Brigade containing the same number of men as the first one twelfth (1/12) of the whole number of men present for duty in each of Regts. Volunteers for this duty to the number required will alone be incentive. An officer Lieut (also a volunteer for duty) will be placed in command of the corps from each regiment. The whole battalion to be commanded by a captain hereinafter appointed.

Head Qrs. Iverson?s Brigade
June 2, 1863

Special Order
No 79

The officers and men of the two corps of sharpshooters are excused from guard duty and also all fatigue duties that will keep them from drilling. It is not however to be understood that they are excused from the regular police. When their Regiments go on Picket there will be no drill for the sharpshooters.

Each crops of Sharpshooters will be drilled three days in each week. The first corps on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays. The second corps on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Brigade drill taking place in the evening will be attended by them.

Commanding officers of the corps of sharpshooters will arrange their hours of drill and report them to this officer for confirmation. The corps will be drilled by the bugle.

By order of Genl Iverson
D. P. Halsey
AAG

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