Sharpshooters & Skirmishers: The Civil War in Four Minutes

Join Douglas Ullman Jr. as he explains the roles of sharpshooters and skirmishers, the soldiers that often times preceded the most pivotal battles of the Civil War. Watch now to discover what weapons sharpshooters used and to learn about several prominent regiments of sharpshooters.
Learn more about sharpshooters and skirmishers: www.battlefiel...
www.battlefiel...
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[@slantsix6344]

The Confederates also had Sharpshooter regiments tested for their shooting ability and some even had green trim on the uniforms. However, the Confederacy had so little men that they put the sharpshooters in line to fight as infantry soldiers. Lincoln was almost killed at Ft Stevens by a Confederate sharpshooter that shot the officer next to him.

[@rc59191]

Did they have any famous regiments like the Unions Berdan Sharpshooters?

[@macysondheim]

@@rc59191 No.

[@markperrault5678]

Youse got that right remember that blowhard sedgwick he got it right in face

[@slantsix6344]

There was a unit of sharpshooters in the American Revolution in the British Army under a Major Patrick Ferguson. What made the unit special was their breech-loading rifles. Patrick Ferguson and his British Provincial regiments were eventually surrounded and wiped out at the battle of kings Mountain, SC.

[@BenBomb5]

One topic I would love to see you cover is the Trans-Mississippi theater of the war. Your videos are very high quality, keep up the amazing work!

[@carlalorch8650]

So would I.

[@mickeyholding7970]

Me to

[@carlalorch8650]

This is a great video. Thank you for explaining the purpose of skirmishers. My great-great grandfather was a skirmisher; it didn't end well for him.

[@drummer78]

The British Army had Light Infantry units in the American Revolution that seemed to have a similar role as skirmishers. During the British retreat from Concord in April of 1775, the Light Infantry were vital in protecting the flanks of the main marching infantry regiments.

[@kkonacreed8638]

Skirmishes in civil war video games are ridiculously broken. Much faster than regular infantry units, deals a disproportionate amount of damage, takes damage at much lower rates than regular formations, and can absorb tons of artillery fire.

[@rslover65]

You mean video games aren't accurate?!

[@macysondheim]

Not true

[@Glamerth]

So like in real life?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great video. History often forgets that it was the men of Company D 2nd USSS that chewed up the 15th Alabama long before the remnants hit Chamberlain and the 20th.

[@slantsix6344]

The battle of Gaines Mill where two Union and Confederate regiments both got separated from their main armies went at it toe to toe. The 5th SC and the Palmetto Sharpshooter Regiment under Micah Jenkins decimated both Union regiments (The 16th Michigan and 87th PA) taking their colors and many prisoners. Ironically the Palmetto Sharpshooter regiment surrendered to the 16th Michigan at Appomattox. Real history reads better than fiction sometimes.

[@RobertA-dw7ls]

My great grandfather was a skirmisher at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge... the last battle before the siege of Vicksburg

[@charlesvitanza8867]

Great series of videos for people of all stripes to learn! As a new reenactor I saw some of those that portray Berdan's Sharpshooters and all i heard waiting to get into battle as they entered was "GIVE EM HELL BERDAN!!!"

[@Yak9741]

Are you folks familiar with the game War of Rights? It is an excellent, historically accurate civil war infantry simulator that is currently in development.

[@PoisonPinball]

Yep, I actually upload War of Rights, one of my favorite games!

[@unseenmatter7205]

I play it :D

[@homursumpsen8748]

Very good game

[@ratelmike8825]

Such an amazing series. Learning so much a bout the ACW. Many thanks ABT.

[@blizzleberrydeluxe29]

Keep these videos coming! Very informative, always happy to see new uploads

[@paulwallis7586]

Hey ABT - You're doing a lot of good stuff. Anyone could take more than 4 minutes of it.

[@Bozcard]

first time i heard a good explanation of a skirmish line.

[@wevikings1790]

Great video, keep them up!

[@Genevasuggestions1]

Nowadays known as cavalry scouts

[@Genevasuggestions1]

H Senior facts

[@denierdev9723]

They still call them snipers and skirmishers

[@malafunkshun8086]

Very interesting!
Also useful for more deeply understanding American Civil War combat.
Aloha 😊🤙🏼👏🏼

[@RobertWF42]

I thought one of the chief aims of skirmishers was to disrupt the morale and fire control of the enemy.
If enemy infantry can be induced into firing at your skirmishers instead of delivering controlled volleys, then their firepower loses much of its devastating impact by the time you attack with your main infantry line.

[@seantomlinson3320]

Great video, very cool. Too bad you focus was fascinated by the leaves.

[@rc59191]

Bucktail Brigade best skirmishers in the whole army.

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

HUZZAH for Sharpshooters and Skirmishers. *LIKED* and *SUBSCRIBED* --- *1st Minn Sharpshooters* channel with Civil War reenactor live fire, hard marching, and rustic adventures ... enlist today.

[@rogerwilson9892]

They are know today as scouts they will move forward see the enemy what their strenght and how they are moving.

[@marstexs]

what was boot camp and recruiting like for both the north and the south

[@TheButcherofBasra]

What's the name of the song the fifes and drums are playing in the background?

[@10_a_see]

Sounds like the life-epectancy of these guys would not be too good.

[@aaronjohnson4678]

But the cavalier is the eyes

[@rachaelsdaddontdrink]

And I always thought they were called "pickets"???

[@kaletovhangar]

Pickets are more like camp guards.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Pickets are static, they watch from fixed remote positions ahead of the line

[@user-fy9lu4gu3z]

We were better hunter then the Yankees
We use to hunt game so we were better sharpshooter in the wild

[@scottsimmons7897]

Slow it down narrator. You're speaking way too quickly.