Sabre

1988 · 61767bd — Lincoln Rhode Island: Andrew Mowbray Incorporated 1988. First Edition. Octavo orange cloth hardcover 124 pp. Fine in a Fine mylar protected dust jacket. From dust jacket: No unit of the American Civil War served with more effect or won more renown than Berdan’s Sharpshooter’s; and acclaimed historian Wiley Sword tells us why. In these pages you will find the story of the United States Sharpshooters from beginning to end including the inspired inventor who founded and commanded the famous unit the hand-picked men who manned its ranks and the innovative weapon which they used with such precision. From training camp to the dissolution of the unit Sword traces the story of the 1st and 2nd U.S.S.S.: the qualities faults of their celebrated leader the internal power struggles among the officers and men their efforts to procure the Sharps rifle the units legendary fighting spirit the basis for their popularity with the press and notoriety with the rest of the army. Rich in anecdotal material Sword’s text also reaches scientific precision especially when he presents information for Berdan Sharps rifle collectors. His serial number charts alone are essential for identification. Also included are two fascinating appendices “The Dairy 1864 of Private William B. Green Co. G. 2D U.S.S.S.†such accounts are very rare especially late in the war because of the unit’s high mortality rate and “The Report of Major George G. Hastings 1st U.S.S.S. of the Battle of Chancellorsville May 3 1863†a document highly revealing of Berdan’s character and how he was regarded by the officers who served under him. Andrew Mowbray, Incorporated, (1988). First Edition. hardcover books