Sharpshooters of the American Civil War 1861–65

Sharpshooters were highly trained marksmen who served in a front-line role in the American Civil War. By the mid-1850s, technological developments meant that weapons were now available that could guarantee greater accuracy over increased range than traditional muskets. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, both Confederate and Union experts decided that specialized sharpshooter units should be formed, with focused training and superior weaponry. This title examines the recruitment, training, tactics and deployment of sharpshooters from both sides of the conflict. It also takes a close look at the specialized personal weaponry of the sharpshooter, the rifle and its accoutrements, as well as the sharpshooters' unique insignia and identification patches.