Union Sharpshooter vs Confederate Sharpshooter

American Civil War 1861–65

Union Sharpshooter vs Confederate Sharpshooter cover

Union Sharpshooter vs Confederate Sharpshooter

American Civil War 1861–65

Description

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. Sometimes equipped with firearms no better than those of their infantry brethren, they fought in a manner reminiscent of Napoleonic-era light infantry. Siege warfare placed a premium on marksmanship and the sharpshooter became indispensable as they could drive artillerymen from their guns. They could also become expert scouts and, for the Confederacy, impressive raiders--one raid netted almost 250 prisoners. Initially, Union marksmen enjoyed the upper hand, but as the Confederates began raising and training their own sharpshooters, they proved themselves as worthy opponents. 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.

Table of Contents

Introduction / The opposing sides / Combat 1 / Combat 2 / Combat 3 / Analysis / Aftermath / Bibliography / Index

Product details

Published Jun 18 2019
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472831859
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Combat
Short code CBT 41
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Gary Yee

Gary Yee is a former firearms and relics curator a…

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

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