Sharpshooter units were one notable exception, however. According to government records, the Confederacy enlisted more than 11,500 sharpshooters, compared to fewer than 9,000 in the Union ranks.

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

2. Pontoon Bridges Bridging the Rappahannock River is a formidable, all-day task for Union troops. As pontoniers begin construction on the morning of December 11, Confederate sharpshooters open fire.

But this seems to be ironclad.” According to historian Carl R. Weinberg, Confederate sharpshooters took up positions in Henry’s home as Union soldiers approached on the morning of July 21.

The Civil War is an epic nine-episode series by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Between 1861 and 1865, Americans made war on each other and killed each other in great numbers if ...

Civil War historian Ben Varner discussed the explosive history of the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment recently at the Orwigsburg Historical Society. Explosive, indeed. Members of the unit, made up ...