Here is the order implementing the sharpshooters directive in the Army of the West:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST,
Priceville, June 11, 1862.

General Orders, No. 39.

I. All officers elected from the rank and file of the Army, who declined election, will be remanded to the ranks.

II. All officers declining re-election will be discharged by the division commanders.

III. All officers not re-elected will hold position until the vacancies are filled.

IV. Brigade commanders will forward their recommendations for appointments through the proper channels to this office.

V. Discharges will be given at once to conscripts over 35 years of age and under 18 years of age, when the company to which they belong have the minimum number required by law, after deducting the sick left west of the Mississippi River, and dropping as deserters all persons absent without leave for a longer period than seven days.

VI. Commanding officers of regiments, battalions, batteries and independent companies of this command will with as little delay as possible send in a list of all persons absent without leave over seven days, also a descriptive list of all sick left west of the Mississippi River.

VII. In accordance with the law, a battalion of sharpshooters will at once be organized in each brigade of this Army. These battalions will made up of chosen men, all of whom must be able-bodied, active and good rifle shots and of tried courage. Volunteers from the companies now in the brigades of the Army of the West may be accepted for the battalion of sharpshooters, provided no company is thereby reduced below the legal minimum. The battalion may be filled up if necessary by recruits from those exempt from conscription, or by choice volunteers from the conscripts. All of the officers of the battalion will be carefully selected and thoroughly examined before being recommended to the President for promotion or appointment to the battalion. It is desired to bring the effective strength of each battalion up to seven hundred and fifty (750) rank and file, if possible, and no pains will be spared to make the battalions the elite of the Army of the West. An opportunity is therefore now afforded to young men of spirit to enroll themselves in a corps which is unquestionably to become the most distinguished in our Army. It is hoped and expected that no man will offer or be accepted into this select corps who is not resolved to lead in every daring enterprise which may be undertaken.

VIII. Brigade commanders will commence enrolling the sharpshooters at once. Every proper means will be taken to fill up the battalions as soon as possible. The men and officers of each company will be from the same State. The brigade ordnance officers will see that the sharpshooters are equipped with long range guns, and if possible, that the guns are of uniform caliber.

By order of Major-General Earl Van Dorn.

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And here is the order which resulted in the establishment of the 12th Battalion Arkansas Sharpshooters:

HEADQUARTERS 2d BRIGADE, June 14th, 1862.

General Orders, No. __.

In accordance with General Orders, No. 34, War Department, Richmond, June 3d, 1862, and General Orders, No. 39, from General Maury’s Headquarters, there will at once be organized a Battalion of Skirmishers for this Brigade. These men will be detailed from the companies composing the different Regiments of this Brigade in proportion to their physical ability, courage and skill as marksmen. It is the intention to make this Battalion very efficient, therefore the officers will be selected with regard especially to their qualifications and will be recommended by the Inspector-General and Brigade and Division commanders to the President for promotion. Capt. Griff Bayne has been recommended as Captain of Infantry, P.A.C.S., and authorized to organize a Battalion of Skirmishers in accordance with instructions above given. Commanders of Regiments and Battalions will accordingly assist Captain Bayne in selecting the required number of men from their respective commands and hold them in readiness subject to this orders, viz:

Jones’ Battalion, 29 men.
Dockery’s Regiment, 40 men.
Carroll’s Regiment, 43 men.
Cravens’ Regiment, 50 men.
Johnson’s Regiment, 38 men.

By order of Tom P. Dockery, Colonel Commanding Brigade,

JAMES A. ASHFORD,
Assistant Adjutant-General.