Introduction.
Historical evidence on Mahone’s Sharpshooters specifically is quite lacking when compared to more mainstream and thoroughly documented regular units. Much can be derived from a speech given by its former adjutant, Captain John Laughton, some 30 years after the end of hostilities and small accounts found here and there, such as in the Richmond Sentinel. The majority of what is stated three decades later is correct and verifiable, some however, simply stems from a tired mind trying to remember details long lost to time. General information about Sharpshooter training and the formation and reasoning behind their battalions are derived from memoirs of several soldiers themselves, specifically one Major W.S. Dunlop who commanded a battalion himself, another by a Sgt. Barry Benson, as well as a terrific publication by the title of “Shock Troops of the Confederacy” by Fred Ray which we highly recommend for further reading on this subject.
Articles.
Engagements.
Battles and skirmishes
Captain Laughton
The Adjutant's summary
At the Crater
Petersburg, VA - 6/30/1864
"A Good Idea"
Richmond Sentinel article
Battles and skirmishes
Captain Laughton
The Adjutant's summary
At the Crater
Petersburg, VA - 6/30/1864
"A Good Idea"
Richmond Sentinel article
Organization.
The Battalion of Sharpshooters was an ad hoc command within Mahone’s Virginia Brigade; though it had assigned commanders for the battalion and companies, the men still were accounted for on their regiment’s muster rolls and drew their supplies accordingly as well. However, in battle, on the picket line, and in camp, the sharpshooters were directed as an independent entity and weren’t subject to the “mundane” duties of regular soldiers. In this regard, it is sometimes best to consider them the “sixth regiment” of the brigade. It was based on a similar model first put into practice in Genl. Robert Rodes’s Alabama Brigade starting in January 1863.
In modern terminology the Sharpshooters as individuals resemble “designated marksmen” more than “snipers” as some may think, however, when they were grouped together as they were, they were a formidable force to be reckoned with indeed. While a select few were detailed with scoped rifles when the situation warranted it, they spent much of their time as skirmishers, on the picket line, and guarding the brigade while on the march.
They were organized in five companies each with approximately 35 men drafted from the five regiments of the Brigade: the 6th, 12th, 16th, 41st, and 61st Virginia Infantry Regiments. The Battalion was commanded by Lt. Col. E. M. Field, with Capt. John E. Laughton as its adjutant.
Captain Laughton: “...the men should be veterans of established reputation for faithful and reliable dependence while in action; capable of enduring the extra hardships expected to be entailed, and also a proper use of the rifle; the officers to be of experience and ability, and having the implicit confidence of their men.”
Laughton states that the original command was for each regimental commander to form one sharpshooter company from his own men.
We find from a list printed in the Richmond Sentinel that Company A of the sharpshooters was drawn exclusively from the 16th Virginia, its two officers originally consisted of Captain W. H. Broadbent and Lieutenant W. S. Chapman.
In modern terminology the Sharpshooters as individuals resemble “designated marksmen” more than “snipers” as some may think, however, when they were grouped together as they were, they were a formidable force to be reckoned with indeed. While a select few were detailed with scoped rifles when the situation warranted it, they spent much of their time as skirmishers, on the picket line, and guarding the brigade while on the march.
They were organized in five companies each with approximately 35 men drafted from the five regiments of the Brigade: the 6th, 12th, 16th, 41st, and 61st Virginia Infantry Regiments. The Battalion was commanded by Lt. Col. E. M. Field, with Capt. John E. Laughton as its adjutant.
Captain Laughton: “...the men should be veterans of established reputation for faithful and reliable dependence while in action; capable of enduring the extra hardships expected to be entailed, and also a proper use of the rifle; the officers to be of experience and ability, and having the implicit confidence of their men.”
Laughton states that the original command was for each regimental commander to form one sharpshooter company from his own men.
We find from a list printed in the Richmond Sentinel that Company A of the sharpshooters was drawn exclusively from the 16th Virginia, its two officers originally consisted of Captain W. H. Broadbent and Lieutenant W. S. Chapman.
Formation and Engagements.
Mahone’s Battalion of Sharpshooters was first formed while at their Winter Quarters at Madison Run Station in the winter of 1863/64. They were put through four weeks of training derived from a brochure developed by Genl. Cadmus Wilcox. They fought until Appomattox.
As far as individual engagements, those of the sharpshooters list as any other regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia encompassing every major battle and countless other unnamed skirmishes. The Wilderness and Spotsylvania were environments that lent themselves to the advantages of sharpshooters and they saw much action at those locations. During the Siege of Petersburg, while on the siege lines, it was a continual picket fight as each side dared the other to attack, elsewhere, Union forces maneuvered to continually extend the lines, and Mahones Brigade was involved in several engagements defending against those moves. They were involved in the last Confederate offensive of the war at Cumberland Church, however, surrendered two days later on April 9, 1865 with the rest of the Army.
As far as individual engagements, those of the sharpshooters list as any other regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia encompassing every major battle and countless other unnamed skirmishes. The Wilderness and Spotsylvania were environments that lent themselves to the advantages of sharpshooters and they saw much action at those locations. During the Siege of Petersburg, while on the siege lines, it was a continual picket fight as each side dared the other to attack, elsewhere, Union forces maneuvered to continually extend the lines, and Mahones Brigade was involved in several engagements defending against those moves. They were involved in the last Confederate offensive of the war at Cumberland Church, however, surrendered two days later on April 9, 1865 with the rest of the Army.
Operations.
The battalion fought as a whole, unlike sharpshooter units on the Federal side who’s companies were often distributed and used independently, to a great disadvantage. This enabled a large unified skirmish line for the brigade that was superbly coordinated. At times, they were combined with other sharpshooter battalions to form a sharpshooter “division” if you will. General Robert Rodes, upon becoming a Division commander, formed the sharpshooter battalions from each of his brigades into what he called a “demi-brigade” of sharpshooters. Once they proved their worth in the field, which did not take long, they were sometimes opted to be used to extend a line in the field.
Mahone’s battalion is unique in that they based their skirmish drill off of a three man group of “Comrades in Battle” rather than the four prescribed in most period manuals. Owing to their importance on the battlefield, vacancies within the Sharpshooters ranks were often quickly filled, despite similar if not heavier losses within the host regiments. This was applicable until the middle of the Petersburg siege, when losses soon became too much to replenish.
Mahone’s battalion is unique in that they based their skirmish drill off of a three man group of “Comrades in Battle” rather than the four prescribed in most period manuals. Owing to their importance on the battlefield, vacancies within the Sharpshooters ranks were often quickly filled, despite similar if not heavier losses within the host regiments. This was applicable until the middle of the Petersburg siege, when losses soon became too much to replenish.
On The Skirmish Line.
In regular fashion, as a brigade advanced and needed skirmishers, a company, or much of the time just a group of selected soldiers, was drafted from each regiment and thrown out in front as skirmishers. “Thrown out in front” is an apt description because these soldiers were usually ill prepared to be skirmishers. They usually lacked a unified command, coordination along the entire line, experience, and simply the skill and training to be good skirmishers. Much of the time these inexperienced and hastily organized lines simply became fodder for the enemy. Such an experience resulted in the formation of one of the first Sharpshooter battalions in General Robert Rodes’ Brigade.
A skirmish line was expected to sweep away enemy pickets and outposts. A good skirmish line could sweep away enemy skirmishers. At worse, skirmishers were a nuisance. At best, they were a force to be reckoned with. The Sharpshooters were the best. Ultimately, the tactical value of a strong skirmish line was to force the opposing side to commit their main forces to attack the battle line which lay just behind the skirmish line... or to withdraw. There are instances however, where the Sharpshooters’ skirmish line was the main battle line to be attacked.
The Sharpshooters were the experts in this line of work; tasks which previously were haphazardly delegated to regular troops now had professionals specially trained and experienced for such duty.
A similar scenario goes for picket duty. This became another specialty of these marksmen. Mahone’s Sharpshooters were detailed for picket duty for six days of the week, rotating watches amongst themselves day and night. They received one full day a week to rest. When on the march, the Sharpshooters extended their skills to include flank guard, advanced guard, and rear guard.
A skirmish line was expected to sweep away enemy pickets and outposts. A good skirmish line could sweep away enemy skirmishers. At worse, skirmishers were a nuisance. At best, they were a force to be reckoned with. The Sharpshooters were the best. Ultimately, the tactical value of a strong skirmish line was to force the opposing side to commit their main forces to attack the battle line which lay just behind the skirmish line... or to withdraw. There are instances however, where the Sharpshooters’ skirmish line was the main battle line to be attacked.
The Sharpshooters were the experts in this line of work; tasks which previously were haphazardly delegated to regular troops now had professionals specially trained and experienced for such duty.
A similar scenario goes for picket duty. This became another specialty of these marksmen. Mahone’s Sharpshooters were detailed for picket duty for six days of the week, rotating watches amongst themselves day and night. They received one full day a week to rest. When on the march, the Sharpshooters extended their skills to include flank guard, advanced guard, and rear guard.
Armament.
The men were armed with the Pattern 1860 Enfield, a “two-band” short version of the longer and widely distributed Pattern 1853 Enfield. Despite its shorter length, the arm was more accurate due to tighter rifling, and the shorter barrel made it handier and thus desirable for sharpshooters. The 1853 Enfield was sure to fill some ranks as well when P60s could not be had. Another less common weapon would have been the US-M1841 “Mississippi Rifle”, rebored to 0.58 cal. This weapon was exceptionally accurate and was short-barreled, much like the P60 Enfield; it saw much service early in the war with many units.
Laughton states that the battalion was issued “small-bore Enfield Rifles.” The weapon fitting this description may be the 0.45 cal Kerr target rile, sometimes referred to as an “Enfield type” rifle. However, it wasn’t imported in nearly the quantities for the entire battalion to have been armed with it, and Laughton is most likely mistaken in his old age. He also states that the battalion kept two rifles with globe sights in their wagon’s for use on special occasions, these may have been the famous English imported Whitworth rifle, another highly accurate arm with extremely limited distribution and fetched a price of $1,000 a piece... in 1860’s currency.
Laughton states that the battalion was issued “small-bore Enfield Rifles.” The weapon fitting this description may be the 0.45 cal Kerr target rile, sometimes referred to as an “Enfield type” rifle. However, it wasn’t imported in nearly the quantities for the entire battalion to have been armed with it, and Laughton is most likely mistaken in his old age. He also states that the battalion kept two rifles with globe sights in their wagon’s for use on special occasions, these may have been the famous English imported Whitworth rifle, another highly accurate arm with extremely limited distribution and fetched a price of $1,000 a piece... in 1860’s currency.
