Yee, Gary Union Sharpshooter vs Confederate Sharpshooter. American Civil War 1861-65

This fully illustrated study assesses the fighting techniques, armament, and combat record of the Union and Confederate sharpshooters who clashed in battles and sieges throughout the American Civil War. During the American Civil War, the Union and the Confederacy both fielded units of sharpshooters. Most were equipped with firearms no better than those of their infantry brethren and fought in a manner reminiscent of Napoleonic-era light infantry. During sieges, sharpshooters could drive enemy signalmen from their towers, hampering communication. Siege warfare placed a premium on marksmanship and the sharpshooter became indispensable. Sharpshooters also became experts at raiding, especially for the Confederacy, and in one spectacular raid netted almost 250 prisoners. Union marksmen initially did not fare as well as their opponents, but when they became armed with more impressive weapons such as the Berdan Sharps rifle, they began to take the fight to the Confederates. In this study, Gary Yee, an expert in firearms of the period, assesses the role played by sharpshooters in three bloody clashes at the height of the American Civil War - the battle of Fredericksburg, the siege of Vicksburg, and the siege of Battery Wagner.

In sieges, sharpshooters were able to drive enemy signallers away from their towers and vantage points and thus obstruct enemy communications. Siege warfare gave marksmanship a high profile and the sniper became indispensable. Sharpshooters also became expert raiders, especially on the Confederate side, and one of the most spectacular raiding parties took nearly 250 prisoners. Union sharpshooters did not initially fare as well as their opponents, but as they became armed with better and better weapons, such as the "Sharps" breech-loading rifle, they began to successfully lead the fight against the Confederates themselves. In this study, Gary Yee, an expert on firearms of the period, examines the role of sharpshooters in three bloody engagements at the height of the American Civil War - the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Siege of Battery Wagner.