| rooter | 08 Feb 2015 6:16 p.m. PST |
Still preparing to get my ACW figures and wondering about how to represent sharpshooter regiments. I know they mostly got parcelled out in company sized groups to act as skirmishers or what not. Did they ever fight together as a regiment? Be a hell of a firing line and a fun unit to paint I think. Thanks Rooter |
 ColCampbell  | 08 Feb 2015 6:34 p.m. PST |
From what little I've read about the Eastern Theater (I'm a Western Theater man), I think the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments fought almost entirely as complete regiments. But I'm sure I'll be instructed by those more expert than I that did also fight as independent companies. Jim |
ScottWashburn  | 09 Feb 2015 5:28 a.m. PST |
The Berdans did fight in close order on several occaisions. At Antietam and Chancellorsville, if I recall correctly. |
| Frederick | 09 Feb 2015 6:09 a.m. PST |
As noted, they were often parceled out but did fight in some of the big battles as a whole unit |
| John the Greater | 09 Feb 2015 8:30 a.m. PST |
They fought as regiments (in different brigades) at Gettysburg, as well. Early in the War they were detailed out in company size units (see Battle of Big Bethel as an example). They are a fun unit to paint. Go for it. |
| rmaker | 09 Feb 2015 8:57 a.m. PST |
Also confusing the issue is the fact that there were numerous independent sharpshooter companies around. As an example, the 2nd Minnesota Sharpshooters were intended to be Company I of the 2nd USSS (1st MnSS Co. was Co. A), but when they reached Washington, they discovered that it had been decided that the 2nd USSS was only going to have 8 companies. As a result, they were brigaded with the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, but retained their identity well into 1864. |
| donlowry | 09 Feb 2015 10:45 a.m. PST |
They fought as regiments (in different brigades) at Gettysburg, as well. At Gettysburg they were both in the same large brigade but often treated as division or corps assets. On at least 2 occasions on 2 July 100-man detachments were sent forward to scout Seminary Ridge in front of the 3rd Corps. Also that day, a handful of them opposed the advance of the 15th Alabama as it approached Big Round Top. |
| Cleburne1863 | 09 Feb 2015 11:38 a.m. PST |
I believe they also often fought as entire units during the Overland Campaign. Of course, it was very common for many regiments to be put out front as skirmishers as a whole unit from 64-65. |
| jowady | 09 Feb 2015 9:31 p.m. PST |
At Gettysburg Oates of the 15th Alabama was engaged by about a dozen sharpshooters who he followed up Big Round Top, Oates thought he was driving a couple of Union Regiments. Those dozen Sharpshooters eventually attached themselves to the 20th ME. |
| 49mountain | 10 Feb 2015 1:29 p.m. PST |
I recall a Missouri unit called Birge's Sharpshooters. They were supposed to be very effective at both sharpshooting and skirmishing. |
| rooter | 10 Feb 2015 7:52 p.m. PST |
Well it sounds like it won't be ridiculous having a regiment of sharpshooters in the battle lines then. I'm thinking ill get enough to form a regiment plus a few more skirmish type stands to add to various regiments like in the aforementioned battle of little round top. I'm guessing a sharpshooter firing line formed up would still be abit loose or do you think they would be ranked up shoulder to shoulder? |
adds artillery to his soft-plastic Union forces.