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I had the delight of meeting Maj John Plaster during the NRA Annual Meeting. He and a couple others gave a presentation on sharpshooters during the civil war, which, sadly, I missed. Still, I was able to pick up a copy of his book (which he politely signed). It's a fun read for anybody interested in the history. Frankly, I was hoping there would be a chapter or two on some of the technicalities that were typical of sharpshooters during that time, but there wasn't much said about it. Still, it's a great read!

Sharpshooting in the Civil War

i think the process is tought in appleseed programs but i could be wrong

Try reading Jack Hinson' s One Man War by Tom C.a McKenny. It goes into some detail about his tactics and his custom built Sniper Rifle.

cheezit wrote:i think the process is tought in appleseed programs but i could be wrong

Yes, Project Appleseed does teach Rifle Marksmanship, and the history that is told is centered on the Revolutionary War.
I would highly encourage anyone interested in becoming a better Rifleman, and a better American, to look into it and attend an event.

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Deltaboy wrote:Try reading Jack Hinson' s One Man War by Tom C.a McKenny. It goes into some detail about his tactics and his custom built Sniper Rifle.

I've read it, AND....I specifically talked to Maj Plaster about Jack Hinson. John's theory is that Jack Hinson, as popularized in the stories, didn't really exist. He bases this on his reading of confederate historical records and evaluation of regional reports. His supposition is that, had such an accurate and effective sniper existed, there would have been far more discussions about it after the war (and perhaps during). He couldn't find sufficient evidence that Jack Hinson existed in the fashion that has been popularized by Col. McKenney.

As a history teacher and having family in the area I can tell you hill folks are really tight lipped about such things and since there was so much pay back after the War many kept it to themselves.
So I will have to respectfully disagree with your friend.

I am currently re-reading Shelby Foote's Civil War Trilogy. It is one of those things you should pick up and read again once in a while. I last read it probably 8 or 9 years ago. I'm in "Volume 1: Fort Sumter to Perryville" right now. He tells the history so beautifully, impartially, and with such great respect for all of the great generals and politicians on both sides that it is just a tremendous read.