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Sharpshooting in the Civil War

by Major John Plaster (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 31 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-1581607031
ISBN-10: 1581607032
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 166 pages
  • Publisher: Paladin Press (May 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1581607032
  • ISBN-13: 978-1581607031
  • Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA unique and seminal work that should be a core addition to personal, academic, and community library American Civil War shelves
By Midwest Book Review on September 17, 2009
Format: Paperback
The American civil war was the most lethal land-combat on American soil from its founding down to the present time. It was this conflict that saw the introduction of deadly military inventions ranging from the repeating rifle to the Gatling gun. It was the beginning of the end for cavalry campaigns, saw battlefields where thousands on both sides were to die in a single day. But amidst the mass killings were the individual assassinations carried out by the sharpshooter, a man with a long range rifle and a superior aim who often killed from hiding at unbelievable distances. Now the story of these unique soldiers is related by Major John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret.) in the profusely illustrated pages of "Sharpshooting In The Civil War", an informed and informative account of how these men were recruited, trained, organize, and deployed. Fully revealed are the arms they used, and the tactics they employed. Of special note are the examples of dozens of these men and their battlefield accomplishments. "Sharpshooting In The Civil War" is a unique and seminal work that should be a core addition to personal, academic, and community library American Civil War reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe key role of sharpshooters during the Civil War
By Joe Owen VINE VOICE on February 23, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Major John L. Plaster, USAR (Ret) has written a lively and fascinating history of the elite sharpshooters and their weapons during the Civil War. Throughout American history from the French and Indian War to today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, elite sharpshooters have played an integral part in warfare. Major Plaster's book is the history of these elite sharpshooters during the Civil War. The book has the history of the men (both Union and Confederate), the weapons they used (often personal rifles that were non-government issue), the regiments they composed of, and the targets (deadly toll of officers and enlisted during battles, skirmishes, and targets of opportunity). The outstanding book is detailed in the following chapters:
- Introduction
Part One: Organizing for War
1: Sharpshooters of the Confederacy
2: Sharpshooters of the Union
Part Two: Sharpshooter Weapons and Tactics
3. Confederate Sharpshooter Weapons and Equipment
4. Union Sharpshooter Weapons and Equipment
5. Sharpshooter Tactics and Techniques
Part Three: Sharpshooters in Battle
6. Bloody Days: Antietam and Fredericksburg
7. Three Days at Gettysburg
8. Vicksburg to the Bitter End
- Bibliography
- Index
Major Plaster highlights the elite history of individual sharpshooters who were outstanding hunters by and large before the Civil War. These outdoorsmen would bring their own hunting rifles and "try out" for the regiments. One of the first Union Officers who raised a regiment of these sharpshooters was Colonel Hiram Berdan who also had the men wear their distinctive forest green uniforms instead of the Union Blue.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsGood, solid information, History, and Practical information
By Arwythur on February 11, 2012
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
A fantastic book for the person who wants real life details, about the weapons and tactics of accurate muzzleloading sharpshooting, with the comparative analysis of said weapons and projectiles, including details about the people and their mindset, really and truly, this is a good book. I learned a great deal about how and why these rifles evolved to become the stuff of legend, and there was enough practical details that I was able to choose with complete understanding, others practical experience, and first-person first-hand knowledge, the best reproductions of modern made Black Powder weapons. We may not all be sharpshooters but all in all this is a good tome for the student of history as well as the person who is doing the Living History Path.

Arwythur
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery historically informative
By RRR on December 9, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Enjoyed this book... very good read. Lots of historical information on sharpshooting during the Civil War. Lots of "firsts" for modern shooting tactics.
Info on types of firearms used for that historical period is outstanding.
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5.0 out of 5 starsEducational and entertaining at the same time
By Paul N. Marsh on April 4, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I had never given consideration to snipers in the Civil War, who would have thought that blackpowder rifles would live up to the sharpshooting role? A highly educational book backed up with true stories of sharpshooters on both sides. If you like firearms and especially long range precision shooting along with equipment knowledge this book is for you.
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5.0 out of 5 starsI wasn't aware of how accurate weapons were during this ...
By JWise on March 8, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I wasn't aware of how accurate weapons were during this period. These marksmen in many ways equaled the performance of today's snipers in their use of cover, range estimation and windage calculations. It's also interesting the number of high ranking officers affected by their deadly accuracy.
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Book!
By MCB on June 14, 2012
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This book is very much an eye opener!
I had no idea the impact sharpshooters had on the Civil War battlefield! We all know the story of Generals Reynolds and Sedgewick being shot by snipers but I did not realize how much importance both side put on sharpshooting skills and equipment.
A very good book that I recommend!!
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent book on Civil War History never told .
By Johnny Hensley on January 1, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The true stories of Civil War snipers and the unbelieveable accurate shooting in the Civil War on both sides. I have never heard or read a more detailed book on the subject. This is a MUST read. Excellent book.
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