How Long to Read Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia

How Long Does it Take to Read Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia?

It takes the average reader 7 hours and 25 minutes to read Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia by Fred L. Ray

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

The term sharpshooter had a more general meaning in the mid-19th Century than it does today. Then it could mean either a roving precision shooter like the modern sniper (a term that did not come into use until late in the century) or a light infantryman who specialized in the petite guerre: scouting, picketing, and skirmishing. The modern sharpshooter (the term comes from the German scharfschutzen, not the use of Sharps rifles) appeared in Central Europe around 1700. At the beginning of the Civil War, thanks to Hiram Berdan, the Army of the Potomac had a definite advantage in sharpshooting and light infantry, and this came as a rude shock to the Confederates during the 1862 Peninsular campaign. In response the Confederates organized their own sharpshooters, beginning with those of an obscure Alabama colonel, Bristor Gayle. Confederate general Robert Rodes organized the first battalion of sharpshooters in his brigade in early 1863, and later in each brigade of his division. In early 1864 General Lee adopted the concept for the entire Army of Northern Virginia, mandating that each infantry brigade field a sharpshooter battalion. These units found ready employment in the Overland campaign, and later in the trenches of Petersburg and in the fast-moving Shenandoah campaign of 1864. Although little has been written about them (the last book, written by a former sharpshooter, appeared in 1899), they played an important and sometimes pivotal role in many battles and campaigns in 1864 and 1865. By the end of the war the sharpshooters were experimenting with tactics that would become standard practice fifty years later. Although most people think of Berdan's Sharpshooters when the subject comes up, the Confederate sharpshooter battalions had a far greater effect on the outcome of the conflict. Later in the war, in response to the Confederate dominance of the skirmish line, the Federals began to organize their own sharpshooter units at division level, though they never adopted an army-wide system. Making extensive use of unpublished source material, author Fred Ray has written Shock Troops of the Confederacy, which tells the complete story of the development of the Army of Northern Virginia's sharpshooter battalions, the weapons they used, how they trained with them, and their tactical use on the battlefield. It also tells the human story of the sharpshooters themselves, who describe in their own words what it was like to be in the thick of battle, on the skirmish line, and at their lonely picket posts.

How long is Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia?

Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia by Fred L. Ray is 442 pages long, and a total of 111,384 words.

This makes it 149% the length of the average book. It also has 136% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 10 hours and 8 minutes to read Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia aloud.

What Reading Level is Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia?

Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia?

Shock Troops of the Confederacy: The Sharpshooter Battalions of the Army of Northern Virginia by Fred L. Ray is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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