Mr. Mike; At the very outset of the Revolution the Continental
Congress (even before appointing Washington) called for 6 companies
of expert riflemen in PA, 2 in MD, and 2 in VA.  It soon became
apparent that many more units could be organized from the
frontiersmen who werer quick to volunteer.  The hunters and men from
the almost entirely urban country side were strong, of great
endurance, and as accurate as one could be with the rifled musket;
those attributes having resulted from lifetimes of hunting and
roaming the forests through all of their lives.  Such men were quite
usually armed with rifled muskets, thanks to the German gunsmiths
who arrived during the years 1710-1770.  Their rifles were the pride
of their owners and such were MUCH more accurate than the
smooth-bores that were common in the British army.  My own ancestor
joined the First PA Sharpshooters as soon as it was organized.  Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 10:54 AM
Subject: Sharpshooters question


My ggg grandfather, John N. Huffman, served in Company F, 30th
Battalion VA
Sharpshooters, the first of my ancestors to be documented in this
type of
outfit. Because of this, I have a couple questions. Did a Battalion
of
Sharpshooters always accompany the same corresponding Infantry
regiment into
battle? Did the soldier initially enlist in an infantry unit, only
to be
transferred to a Sharpshooters unit when  his marksmanship became
evident?

Please forgive my ignorance, as well as the bombardment of
questions. I look
forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mike Peters
[log in to unmask]

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html