Compiled by Timmy Smith

FORMATION

General Order No.7
Head Quarters 3rd Div.
April 2nd. 1862

In each brigade of this division, there will be detailed a battalion of which will more than other troops be instructed in the duties of light infantry

Two companies in each Regt will be selected by the Brigade Commander for this purpose, selecting as far as possible, rifled arms, either Minie Muskets or Mississippi Rifles. No especial selection for this purpose will be made, in case the Regt. by so doing so will have less than eight companies in line.

In each Brigade for five or more companies there will be two field officers selected to command this force, & one for a less number. When acting with their respective regiments this force will constitute the skirmishers when in line, reserve when in square.

A report of the number & designation of companies and names of officers, Company as well as Field, made in compliance with this order, is required as early as possible. It is not intended that these companies shall be separated from their Regiments more then other skirmishers, nor will the field officers have other jurisdiction than the instruction &, when especially directed, the command in action.

By order of Gen’l. Ewell

This order to create a battalion of sharpshooters within every brigade in the division would make its way to Gen. Trimble. On April 26th, while encamped around Gordonsville, Virginia, Trimble issued this order from his brigade headquarters to the 21st North Carolina Troops. The order is as follows:

The Companies of Captains Connelly [Co.B] and Wharton [Co.E], 21st Regiment North Carolina Troops, are hereby detailed to form a Battalion of Sharpshooters and will proceed at once to elect their officers.

By order of Brig. Gen. Trimble
W. Carvel Hall, A.A.G.

“The Yadkin Grey Eagles” would become Company A of this new Battalion while “The Forsyth Greys” became Company B. Capt. Rufus Wharton of Co. B would be selected by Gen. Trimble to take command of the battalion and was promoted to the rank of major. This required a new selection of officers to be elected within the two companies.

Along with new two-band Enfields, Gen. Trimble would issue Special Order Number 32 on May 21st, officially making the sharpshooters their own independent body. By doing so, a whole staff had to be selected.

Special Order
No.32

The Battalion of Sharpshooter organized from the companies of the 21st Regiment North Carolina Troops will be on the 23rd Instant assume its proper position as an independent body under the command of Major Wharton, who will select from the Battalion Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers or Men a suitable Quartermaster and Commissary, as also Quartermaster and Commissary Sergeants.

Col. Kirkland will until further orders, turn over to the Battalion its proportion of wagons, teams and drivers.
It is however understood that this battalion will move with the 21st Regiment North Carolina Troops and encamp with it for the present, but drill as a Battalion in its peculiar arm.

By order of Brig. Gen. Trimble
W. Carvel Hall, A.A.G

The field and staff were as follows:
Battalion Commander: Maj. Rufus Wharton
Assistant Surgeon: George M. Hoke
Assistant Surgeon: E. G. Greenlee
Sergeant Major: R. A. Anderson
Quartermaster: Sgt. A. B. Butner
11 Musicians forming a brass band

Now officially separated and taking with them the regimental band (who originally enlisted with the Forsyth Greys), they became the 9th Battalion North Carolina Infantry. This designation would soon change as the original 1st North Carolina Battalion was consolidated into another unit. Thus, the 9th would then become the 1st North Carolina Battalion Sharpshooters.

Compiled by Timmy Smith

RESEARCH
These guidelines are based on research of NC Troops within Ewell’s Corps during the Gettysburg Campaign. To date, and to the best of our current knowledge, there has been no documentation of what the 1st Battalion North Carolina Sharpshooters specifically looked like. We came to the conclusions listed below based upon the units from which these men were recruited. These impression guidelines are subject to change if/when new information emerges.

A PRIMARY NOTE ON THEIR APPEARANCE

The below offers insight into how these troops looked during their retreat from Gettysburg and back towards Virginia:
“The march into and through Pennsylvania was delightful, at least until the time when the corps left Carlisle. The country was magnificent and full of all needed supplies, except certain articles which our soldiers especially needed, such as hats, shoes, etc. These articles had been shipped away or concealed so that we did not find them. The writer [Wharton] was Military Governor of Carlisle for nearly two days and the only thing that he got for governing and taking care of the city during that time was one glass of beer.” – Maj. Rufus Wharton

Source: “Histories of The Several Regiments and Battalions From North Carolina, In The Great War 1861-’65,” by Clark, Walter, 1901.

EXPECTATIONS
All reenactors participating are expected to adhere to the uniform and equipment guidelines listed below. All reproductions must be of authentic construction, conform to proper patterns, and be made of appropriate materials. Uniforms are to be worn correctly, and should fit properly. As this is a preservation march, please ensure that your period footwear fits properly and is broken in. Heel plates are NOT recommended, as they may be a serious tripping or slipping hazard on asphalt roads. All firearms present, original or reproduction, MUST function properly and safely. NO MODERN FIREARMS.

UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS
No modern items or clothing, including but not limited to: modern glasses or sunglasses, watches or Fitbits, phones, jewelry, cigarettes, vapes, etc.

HEADGEAR
Caps, Kepis of Domestic Cloth, Hats (Civilian Styles or CS Issue)
(NO HAT INSIGNIA)

JACKET
Preferred: North Carolina Shell Jackets, EAC, or Jean
Acceptable: Richmond Clothing Bureau Type II, Jean

VESTS
Acceptable (IN LIMITED NUMBERS):
Properly Made 19th Century Civilian or Military Vests

TROUSERS
Preferred: CS Issue, Jean, or EAC
Acceptable: Civilian Trousers in Domestic Cloth
(NO WILD COLORS OR PATTERNS)

SHIRTS
CS Issue, Federal Issue, or Civilian Shirts

UNDERDRAWERS
CS Issue, US Issue, or Civilian (No, we’re not checking…)

SHOES
Any Period Shoes (Examples: British Buckle Shoes, CS Manufacture Brogans or Booties, Federal Issue Brogans, Civilian Shoes, or Boots (IN LIMITED NUMBERS)
(NO KNEE HIGH OR KNEE FLAP BOOTS AND NO SPURS)

ACCOUTREMENTS (LEATHERS)
Domestically Produced CS Cartridge Boxes, Cap Pouches, and Belts (Examples: Richmond Dept Leather)
Imported (Examples: British Cartridge Box, Expense Pouch, Belt, Cap Pouch)
US Sets (Examples: .58, .69, and .69 Elongated Ball Cartridge Boxes, Belts with No Keeper or with Brass Keeper, and US Cap Pouches (LIMITED NUMBERS)

KNAPSACKS
Federal Double Bags, Kibler/”Mexican War” Bag, Import Knapsacks, Issac Campbell & Co. Pack, or French Import Bag

BLANKETS
CS Issue Blankets, US Issue blankets, Civilian Blankets, and Coverlets

CANTEENS
Federal (Smooth Sides/Bulls Eyes), CS Issue Drum, CS Issue Wooden Canteen

HAVERSACKS
CS Issue (Painted and Unpainted Depot Issue)
Federal Issue Tarred Bags (IN LIMITED NUMBERS)

WEAPONS

MUSKETS/RIFLES
Preferred: P58 and P59 Enfield Rifles
Acceptable: 3-Band Rifle Muskets
NO CARBINES OR MUSKETOONS

BAYONETS
Must Be of Proper Type and FIT YOUR MUSKET

KNIVES
Pocket or Camp Knives Only (NO BELT OR BOWIE KNIVES)

SWORDS
Only As Required By Rank

PISTOLS
Only As Required By Rank

Coming Soon!

Prepared by Timmy Smith & Ashley Sonntag

Historically, Lee’s wagon train, under the command of Major Harman, stretched nearly 20 miles. It contained wagons and thousands of livestock. General Ewell would direct Major Harman, who was in charge of the wagon train, “Get that train safely across the Potomac,” or he “wanted to see his face no more.” Early on the morning of July 4th, the wagon train would start rolling out of Fairfield towards South Mountain and then 45 miles onward in the direction of the Potomac River crossings at Williamsport and Falling Waters. The route chosen would take them south through Monterey Pass.

We will be recreating approximately 8 miles of the first leg of this movement from Fairfield through Monterey Pass by way of Iron Springs Road, Gum Springs Road, Iron Furnace Road, and finally, the Old Mariah Furnace Road.

PLEASE NOTE: This route is through a mountain pass and is therefore predominantly uphill. Please prepare accordingly.