Berdan Sharpshooter’s Medal

Description

The Berdan Sharpshooters Medal

In the summer and fall of 1861, Hiram Berdan was involved in the recruiting of eighteen companies, from eight states, which were formed into two sharpshooter regiments with the backing of General Winfield Scott and President Abraham Lincoln. Berdan was named as Colonel of the resultant 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters on November 30, 1861. His men, who had to pass rigorous marksmanship tests, which included firing ten consecutive rounds free standing at a ten inch diameter target one hundred yards away and then fire an addition ten rounds at a ten inch diameter target two hundred yards away from a resting position, without missing a single shot. They were dressed in distinctive green uniforms and equipped with the most advanced long-range rifles featuring telescopic sights. Even when assigned to a brigade, the regiments were usually detached for special assignments on the field of battle. They were frequently used for skirmish duty. Berdan fought at the Seven Days Battles and Second Battle of Bull Run. In September 1862, his sharpshooters were at the Battle of Shepherdstown. Berdan commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac in February and March 1863, then he commanded the 3rd Brigade at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, his two regiments of sharpshooters played an important role in delaying Confederate attacks on Devil’s Den and the Peach Orchard. In a sharp encounter in Pitzer’s Woods on Seminary Ridge, the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters stalled the advancing Alabama brigade of Cadmus Wilcox. Berdan assumed command of J. H. Hobart Ward’s brigade when the latter became acting division commander (David B. Birney having become acting corps commander following the wounding of Daniel Sickles) and led the division throughout the rest of the campaign, as well as during the subsequent Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns.

According to a report of the American Numismatic Society published in 1902, the The Survivors Association of Berdan Sharpshooters was first suggested in a meeting held in Gettysburg on July 3, 1888 and “perfected” in Boston on August 11, 1890.

Original Berdan Sharpshooters Medals are extremely rare and can sell for over $1,000 in poor condition.

Reproduction measures 3½” (90mm) long x 1½” (38mm) across