John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 3rd Infantry Battalion Sharpshooters John C Rigdon

The 3rd Ga Battalion Sharpshooters was formed from troops primarily from the Wofford's Brigade which consisted of the 16th Georgia Infantry, 18th Georgia Infantry, 24th Georgia Infantry, Cobb's Georgia Legion, and Phillips' Georgia Legion. Gen. Wofford was very interested in the use of battalion sharpshooters as a select, light infantry unit, as Rhodes had demonstrated its value. When the Confederate Congress signed off on the establishment of the Sharpshooter Battalions, Wofford acted at once. He and his staff selected the officers, and the officers were to hand-pick only veteran soldiers, five from each company of each regiment of the brigade. They were equipped with the best available weapons, and trained in scouting, to be deployed as flank protection when the brigade was on the move, skirmish duties when the brigade was on the attack, and sniper and harassment actions. We know that they were first called out to action as a unit at Chancellorsville, but the official designation was not made until 8, June. The battalion fought throughout the war in Virginia except when they accompanied Longstreet to Tennessee where they participated in Chickamauga and Knoxville. They surrendered 1 officer and 22 men at Appomattox. Companies of the GA 3rd Infantry Battalion Sharpshooters Company A was formed in June 1863 from men of the 18th GA Company B was formed in June 1863 from men of the 24th GA Company C was formed in June 1863 from men of the 16th GA Company D was formed in June 1863 from men of Cobb's Legion Infantry Company E was formed in June 1863 from men of the 24th GA Company F was formed in June 1863 from men of the Phillips Legion Infantry