For several years before the Civil War Hiram Berdan of New York was known as America’s greatest marksman. At the beginning of the war he proposed to recruit a regiment of the North’s best marksmen. The War Department quickly approved, and by the fall of 1861 he had recruited 18 companies from eight states (Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin).

Berdan’s United States Sharpshooters were formed into two regiments: 1st United States Sharpshooter Regiment (10 companies) and 2nd United States Sharpshooter Regiment (8 companies).

Requirements for a Sharpshooter

The one requirement for a recruit was:

“No man would be enlisted who could not put ten bullets in succession within five inches from the center at a distance of six hundred feet from a rest or three hundred feet off hand.”

A recruit was required to fire ten rounds from his own open sight rifle as quickly as possible at two targets. These were a 10 inch circle at 200 yards distance using a rest,  and a second at 100 yards distance fired at offhand.  Missing the targets or averaging more than five inches from the center meant disqualification.

Uniform and Equipment

The men would eventually be provided with a breech loading Sharps rifle, although due to supply issues they were originally issued the Colt revolving rifle. They were also told they could bring their own rifle although this led to supply headaches, and a promised reimbursement by the government never happened.

The Sharps shot a .52 caliber conical ball using a linen cartridge over open sights. It was fast and accurate. Since it was breechloading the men could load and fire from a prone position.

Heavy target rifles with telescopic sights were carried in the supply wagons and could be brought out when required.

Uniforms consisted of green frock coats and pants, leather leggings, and a cap with a black plume. There were no brass buttons that would reflect sunlight. This not only gave them a camouflage advantage but set the men aside as an elite unit. Knapsacks were a fur sack over a wood frame, in the Prussian style. As time went on the these original uniforms wore out they were replaced by standard Federal uniforms.

Tactics

Berdan’s United States Sharpshooters were taught tactics that were heavily influenced by European, particularly Prussian, light infantry and rifleman tactics. The men were taught to use any available cover, and to never recklessly expose themselves. There were careful to not waste ammunition, especially as the breechloading Sharps rifle that they would use could fire ten rounds per minute. And they were taught to fight independently as individuals, operating freely in the front lines, even climbing trees to get good shots. These tactic called for independent and resourceful men with superior initiative.