Description:

BERDAN'S SHARPSHOOTER DESCRIBES TARGET SHOOTING
Great content war-date letter from Pvt. Ozias Sanford, Co. F. Berdan's 1st U.S. Sharp Shooters, 'Camp near Falmouth', Mar. 29, 1863 to his mother describing local combat and his brilliant target practice. In part: '...The Rebs crossed the river in large force & started towards us, but our Cavalry in large force were too much for them & they were obliged to retreat...I was in hope they would come for we were all prepared for them...We should have captured their whole force...a great part of our Army were under arms & ready to move...we have enough to drive them before us. Or anywhere else...' Of his target practice, he writes: '...Tell Father I was out shooting last night just before sundown & I made 5 shots at the distance of 65 rods [over 1,000 feet!] & the measurements of the 5 balls were 4 1/2 inches which cannot be beat by any gun I ever saw. I shot a little too low for the mark but I got all the balls together. I fired about 6 inches under the center. Every shot would have gone into a 4-inch ring...' Incredible testimony as to the accuracy of the Sharps rifle issued to these brave, early snipers.

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August 25, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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