The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-08
BERDAN's sHARPsHOOTERs.

RIFLE PRACTICE AT wEEHAwKEN-JEFF. DAVIS
RiDDLED WITH BULLETS,
In the organization OF the corps or sharpshooers
being perfected by Colonel Berdan branch of the
service is about to be attached TO the army for up
this time regiments OF riaemen, such, have never
existed in our army, though during the Of 1776,
1912 and 1885, sul marksmcn accompanied the troops
and did good execution while scattered about over
field. Il saying Of Napoleon that Providence was
always the side Of the heaviest artillery but Colonel
Berdan thinks it possible to demonstrate that
in modern warfare victory VIII DO with
the dcAiest rifomen. His sharpshooters fast APP
preaching complete organization, and il is intended
TO raise brigade of three regiments sufficient numbers
presenting themselves to make up that complement Six
teen Of the loyal States have already organized each
company Of one hundred inen and from New York
II is Thought that an cntire regiment be raised 10 adj
tho neld, viii number 2, 900 Of tho efficiency
OF such body raksnsen in all the nSiltitudnous ways
II is ss to Ay ouS Se %ehs, 10 IS re-
picking "a q generals and commanding officers, Staying
artl'cra at their guns Or securing the woods In their
undscernbc uniform Of sylvan green in search OF aubns
cades and masked batteries their services will be equally
avaIablc and the government will have in them one ctc
tive mesns OF rapidly terminating the The
far enrolled In the organization necessarily Of tenn
perase and stad habits of c and dissipation
seadlness Of nerves indispensable to accuracy
| in Iihe shooting. They are consequently Of a
superior class society many Of them have left re-
muneratiye situations to Join the corps Though the dis
appearance Of large game in the country during the past
ten years has prevented great measure the culture
Of al apship the number Of rifle shots has not d.
moised that many regiments could not be formed they
all enrolled But the Inducements TO join not
slant receipt OF letters from skilfn rAemcn willing
| Join il some provision was made Tor their fam.
pay was remunera,ve enough for that purpose.
To such men whose services would be teDod more vauR
should be given and i the monthly allowance to them
was So per man IL would be possible to bring into the
field legion Of these deadly sharrshooters Nor could
the ordinary solder complain OF this increased pay nas
much he could not the required standard Of
skill Jealousy would thus arise. Tive detaichmens,
numbering sixty or men are now quartered at Weehaw
ken forming the nucleus Of the extensive
TO BIO located there ons-hs'f OF these Swiss and
German rienen from tho neighbohoOd Of our own city
and the remainder have been sent from Albany. The
latter under the command OF Captain s. Martin, Of
that place The men are daily practised in target Airing
place tho peculiar drill will commence. This consists
Of dep'oyDg nsquads ought the woods and over the
rounding country and rayng again at bugc call the notes
or which win by variation indicate different orders and
commands perfectly the voice of the COLONEL and in
bodyn hoiiows and gn'cs under fences, behind logs,
feed and the like. In the intervals the regular
target practice will be proceeded with. On Tuesday the
daily programme varied little by the substitution
OF life sized representation OF jon Davis for the usual
circular target Tho artist il must be said was very
! dignity that paint and brush could give him.
He was dressed in full military, costume,
and presented the appearance Of quite an
exquisite But his good looks did not Mt all save him
from the well aimed missiles of tho sharpshooters Col
Beran the request of the spectators rs tried bis hand
and in consecutive shots pierced Je's face ten times,
in manner tina, would the been pleas.
ing the original of the picture. The target which
placed distance Of six hundred feet, then turned
over to the rsceaneous XIII OF the men nd ball after
ball uncrrngy through the body several perorat
ing the little white spot On the lett bEeast,
over tho place where the heart would be If
tho figure were one Of living flesh and blood.
The exhibition Of most interesting character, and
the creates satisfaction to the large plumber Of
Beauregard will through All ordeal similar TO that Of
his corebe JET Davis. Colonel Berdons secretary, Mr..
y nfowI rs nov Acting Sergeant Maofogth the corps