Company G, 1st United States Sharpshooters

Company G, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters was an infantry company that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Sometimes the unit is referred to as the 1st Wisconsin Sharpshooters, unofficially.

Organization
At the onslaught of the war, the United States Department of War charged Colonel Hiram Berdan, a known marksman, with the organization of two regiments of true marksmen, with the volunteers belonging to companies of their respective states. Company G was organized and recruited in Wisconsin under the supervision of Adjutant General William L. Utley, also a noted marksman, he was crucial to the expedited process of organizing and mustering Wisconsin volunteer regiments. Berndan had them issued green uniforms for a better blend into the wildnerness, along with a distinction from the rest of the army wearing variations of blue. He also continuously petitioned the War Department for the issue of the Sharps Breechloading Rifle, versus the usual Springfield Rifle of Army issue. On September 19, 1861 the unit moved out from Camp Randall to rendezvous with the 1st United States Sharpshooters and were officially mustered into Federal service on September 23, 1861 in New York City. As this was an act of the War Department, the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooters were mustered into the regular Army, they were not a volunteer regiment.

Service
At camp in Washington D.C., G Company along with the rest of the 1st U.S.S. practiced rigorous marksmanship drills, and dignitaries and citizens alike could come watch the amazing feats the marksmen accomplished.