Short History for 1^st U.S.S.S.
The unit that we usually portray is the aforementioned Company C of the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters. The 1st and 2nd Regiments of U.S. Sharpshooters were raised in the summer of 1861 by enlisting volunteers from throughout the Northern States (hence the unusual "United States" designation for a volunteer regiment). They were intended to be used as skirmish troops, whose job was to act individually and in small groups to disrupt enemy formations and eliminate his leaders. In order to ensure the high level of skill required of a unit of snipers and skirmishers all prospective volunteers were required to pass a marksmanship test to be accepted for service. Hiram Berdan was the man who received permission from Congress to raise a corps of sharpshooters, and because of this the two regiments were often referred to as Berdan's Sharpshooters.

Company C was comprised of marksmen from the state of Michigan and was mustered into United States service on August 21, 1861 at Lansing, Michigan. The company was the first to be mustered in and was one of the first to see action. A total of 1,392 officers and men served in the 1st Regiment, while 1,178 served in the 2nd Regiment. A total of 1,008 U.S. Sharp-shooters were killed or wounded in action. The regiment fought in all the major actions of the Army of the Potomac, usually being assigned by company to different commands as needed. On August 20, 1864 Company C's three year enlistment expired and the remaining soldiers were discharged from service. Of the 101 men who originally enlisted in Company C, only six were present at the final muster.

On the 66^th Illinois
On those occasions when we attend an event where the organizers have decided to portray a western theater action, we wear our blue uniforms and change our impression to that of the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Also known as the "Western Sharpshooters", the 66th did essentially the same job as the 1st U.S.S.S.

On Confederate Galvanization
We are also developing a Confederate impression so that we may "galvanize" and change sides if we arrive at an event and discover that there are not enough Southern troops to create a realistic battle scenario.

Organization of the Unit
We are a loosely organized unit. We have assigned officers and non-commissioned officers by majority vote at our winter meeting. We offer full unit membership to those with civilian and non combat military impressions. We generally act as skirmishers at events (dependent on the needs and requirements of the event commanders) and split into as many four man skirmish cells as attendance permits. Our current rank structure includes a 1st Sergeant and one Corporal.

On Gender and Age
The unit has the following policies on gender and age. We will accept women who portray male soldiers into the ranks. The minimum age to carry a rifle on the field is sixteen, however a parent or guardian must sign for the minor until the age of eighteen.

Roster of the 1^st U.S.S.S.
Many of the members of the unit have chosen names from the original Company C roster for their first person impression. Choosing a name from the list below is by no means required.

For a download of our New Recruit information packet, please click here.

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