“The 150 recruits were on their way to Ky-McCray had been sent back by Hardee to raise 1 or more sharpshooter Co’s"

I supose this is the reason that the 31st is occasionally referred to as a Sharpshooter regiment?

See also:

2/5 McCray to Gen A S Johnston, Bowling Green-reports he has received and mustered into the service for 12 months 4 Co’s agg of 300 for all of whom I have the common rifles of the country- at the organization on 1/25 I was unanimously elected Major of the Bn which I report to you for orders
Many of the rifles need repairs and that will be done by 3/1.
would like authority to increase his command to a regt-4 more Co’s are being formed in [names the Counties] all of whom have asked to join his command which I agreed to provided you give me the authority. Confident I can fill out the regiment and have them armed with common country rifles in March
The troops I now have are quartered in churches in Van Buren County. I need tents & blankets to make the men comfortable before they are ordered to march.
It is about 125 miles to the nearest place where they can be put on a steamboat
-signed McCray-Maj cdg Bn of SS