On Sunday, May 17th, at 2 P.M. The Inland Empire Civil War Round Table program in the Assembly Room of the A.K. Smiley Library, 125 Vine St. Redlands. Civil War historian and reenactor, Dean Vargus, will give a free presentation on the Berdan Sharpshooters, Lincoln’s Elite Riflemen 1861-1864
The Berdan Sharpshooters were among the most famous and elite infantry units in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Founded by Hiram Berdan, a world-class marksman and inventor, they served as specialized skirmishers and snipers.
Unlike standard volunteer regiments that were drawn from a single state, Berdan’s men were recruited from across the North based strictly on skill. To join, a recruit had to pass a grueling marksmanship test.