Hiram Berdan's 1st United States Sharp Shooters of the Civil War

They wore green uniforms; their eyes saw red and the accuracy of their shots are legendary. They made kill shots from as far as 800 yards and artillerymen were their favorite target. Berdan organized his distinctive organization shortly after the Federals defeat at the Battle of Bull Run. Berdan was a successful inventor and champion competitive marksman. He offered to organize and training the best shots from the Northern states for service in the Union Army. Recruits from several states traveled to his "Camp of Instruction" after Berdan published an offer in several Northern Newspapers. To prove themselves, the volunteers had to pass a rigorous shooting test. They were required to place 10 consecutive shots in a 10 inch bulls-eye at 200 yards. There was a lot of interest in Berdan's 1st US Sharpshooters as newspaper reporters and even President Lincoln visited the exhibitions to see them in action. Berdan's men were so good at taking out Confederate soldiers' that they themselves became targets of southern sharp shooters. It was very common for the 1st US Sharpshooters to take out Confederate targets at over 800 yards as they loaded their cannons. It became very dangerous for them to stand up and expose their heads to the 1st US Sharpshooters. This fear held many down and caused a lot of mistakes from the Confederate artillery. Canon after canon within 100 yards were silenced and abandoned due to the danger of being in the sight of a 1st US Sharpshooter. There are many images and names of Michigan and other sharpshooters on the www.fadedfootsteps.com website. Feel free to visit the link and contribute if you like. The site is free and there is an easy and again, free way for charities and non-profits to make income by contributing to the site.