Battle of Gettysburg | Berdan's Sharpshooters at the Slyder Farm | American Civil War

At 10:08 I seemed to have made a very silly mistake. It is not a picture of William Oats. I uploaded the wrong picture and didn't catch it until this video was already uploaded. A real boneheaded move on my part. it has been cut out but if you would grant me some grace 😂
In this episode we explore we explore the grounds of the Slyder Farm. On July 2nd, 1863, elements from the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters who were considered an elite unit, took position near this farm and began engaging with confederates troops under the command of General John B. Hood. Hood’s division swept across the Slyder farm in its advance toward the Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. The sharpshooters were outnumbered almost 60-1 but inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing Confederates.
See where the 1st U.S Sharpshooters fought at Gettysburg here. This fantastic video was made by JD over at ‪@TheHistoryUnderground‬
• Gettysburg: Sharpshoot...
Civil War stock footage provided by Lionheart Film Works ⬇️
/ lionheartfilmworks
• "Gettysburg: Darkest D...
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Artwork in the video
“2nd United States Sharpshooters” artwork probided by www.maritato.c...
“Breechloaders and Greencoats” by Dale Gallon
Berdan's Sharpshooters, 1St United States Sharpshooters Summer-Fall Of 1863, 2008 (oil on canvas)
by Don Troiani,
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[@mrsnakesmrnot8499]

By Gettysburg, the green jackets were discarded and replaced with blue, because Confederate sharp shooters sought out green jackets as primary targets. THAT is why the sharpshooters eventually switched to blue - to not stand out.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That makes sense. I mentioned in the video as the war progressed the green uniforms become less common.

[@mrsnakesmrnot8499]

@@ProjectPast1565 Yes, I noticed that, so I posted for the sake of clarification. The more information, the better. Keep up the great work of creating enlightenment on the internet. 👍

[@ProjectPast1565]

@mrsnakesmrnot8499 appreciate the feedback and additional information! Love learning new things. Thanks for watching.

[@sarmedic8401]

The biggest issue was the green coats were frock coats which were far more expensive, labor intensive, and also heavier and uncomfortable on campaign. Both regiments made it practice to put the green frock coats in storage and use them in the winter months. They largely retained the green forage caps and trousers.

[@Broski1318]

My friend, there is a museum up in Gettysburg called the Gettysburg Museum of History. It's pretty cool looking. I watch another historian who is sponsored by the museum. Great video!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Oh yes. It’s Fantastic. I managed to stop by in between filming. It was amazing.

[@Broski1318]

@@ProjectPast1565 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@Broski1318 they have some incredible artifacts

[@haroldmcelwain1604]

The Berdan Sharpshooter buttons were made by the Novelty Rubber Co. using Goodyear's 1851 patent.

[@ProjectPast1565]

You’re completely right. I just saw Goodyear on the buttons and completely overlooked the pt part. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewdavis8062]

I’m new to your channel and have really been enjoying your content. Keep up the great work!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Well I’m glad you found my channel and that you’re enjoying the content. Thanks for watching!

[@b2l421]

Thanks for doing a video on the sharpshooters. I have always been fascinated with sharpshooter units in the civil war. Is there any historical data on the ratio of sharpshooter hits vs a regular infantry soldier? I would assume that the average sharpshooter would have more hits per soldier than regular infantry.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That’s for watching! I don’t know if any but I’d imagine something out there exists. I do know the sharpshooter units had to pass a rigorous test to become part of a unit. I’d imagine this equates to more lethality on the battlefield.

[@Ovarian_invasion]

This stuff just NEVER gets old. Thank you so very much for sharing. Keep rockinn and Rollin and telling stories.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching

[@rc59191]

Awesome work dude my 3 of my 3rd great grandpas fought for the Union one with the Bucktail Brigade hope you do a video about them.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Appreciate you watching and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be doing more in the future. Just got to find some time to get back there.

[@kanderson2145]

Thanks so much for making these videos. You do great work.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@gubbylee]

Please do a episode on the Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooters !!!

[@DustinWiseM1]

Another great video. Enjoy getting to learn about the smaller pieces that made up this massive battle. This is just another example of the sacrifice that took place here. Thank you for highlighting the Sharpshooters and what a small group of well armed and trained shooters can do even to a much larger enemy force. Keep up the great work and look forward to your future videos 🇺🇸

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was fascinating to learn about. The sharpshooters were so unique. I love how they had custom uniforms. Thanks for watching! I appreciate all the support.

[@Baseballnfj]

That fence is original. There's lots of original stonework left at gettysburg. All of the fences on the Rose farm are original. Theres still breatsworks on parts of Big Round top and Little round top. If you head off towards the flanks... theres a lot left. Its almost impossible to get to without land owner permission... but on the extreme union right there's park property on an abandoned road called Neil Lane. Its behind Big round top surrounded by private property. There's really really good original breastworks over there. The stone wall that gave cover to the 124 NY behind the Teinagle feild is original. South of thw Copse of Trees are original sections of the "Pickets Charge" wall. The walls that extend perpendicular to the union position on Cemetary ridge are all original. On Cemetary Hill the artillery emplacements are original. Sections of Culps Hill have reproduced walls and earthworks, but much of the mounded trenches you see along the Union line are original. Almost everything on the 2nd day battlefield on the South end between Devils Den and Seminary Ridge are original.... the area you are in right now.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That’s awesome to hear because obviously I wasn’t sure. A few have said it isn’t so it’s nice to get some clarity. Thanks for watching! And thanks for the info.

[@alanw2237]

I appreciate the Sharpshooters history lesson. Appreciate all of your efforts!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate you watching!

[@stevenrisso5535]

Once again you find these little known battles(at least to me) of those days at Gettysburg. Nice work

[@ProjectPast1565]

Tons of great stories out there waiting to be uncovered. Thanks for watching

[@troy242]

One of Berdan's men is buried here in Michigan's Saginaw Bay area. His marker states he was a Berdan Shooter. I have not been to his grave in a couple years. I cannot recall the details. Nice vid. Thanks!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching and I appreciate you sharing the grave information!

[@carson1861]

AN AMAZING detailed account. You teach me Jason every time I watch. WELL DONE. Again, you personalized it to me and as I have told you before, you brought me there with you. The Wheatfield is another one of those confusing segments and fog of many civil war battles. HOWEVER... you focused on the union sharpshooters. Wow, they are heroes... they must have shit their pants when they saw the solid line of grey coming. WELL DONE BROTHER.

[@raymondalldritt8587]

Thank you. Edwin Alldritt was a relative and I knew he fought at Gettysburg but until your video I never knew where.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Happy to hear you enjoyed it and got something from it.

[@Snowboarder16]

Enjoyed the visit will see it next time in Gettysburg. Also liked your reference to a “witness rock” only heard of witness trees so that was great

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! It’s a neat little area. Not often visited.

[@jaywinters2483]

Great video: maps, visuals, journals, not ruined by music & not "like, like, like, like, like".

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching!

[@bendalton5221]

nice video of one of the lesser known side dramas of the Battle of Gettysburg.

[@dewfreedman]

Confederates sharps was not many but much better in riffle and abilites!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I think sharpshooters are lethal regardless of the uniform

[@gubbylee]

Any video on them ?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Great video. Lots in there that I didn’t know. And thanks for the shoutout!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Always JD! Love learning about this unit. So unique for its time.

[@_pawter]

I'm an Aussie and I've spent many hours traipsing all over the Gettysburg battlefield in a few mostly well done war games, yet your video resoundingly illustrated how far the game modelers have yet to go to capture the lay of the ground and true nuances of vegetation. Perhaps one day I'll get over there to stumble around the big tops. Thanks.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate you watching. It’s a beautiful battlefield despite the carnage that unfolded on its grounds. Maybe we will stumble in to each other one day.

[@Grunt802VT]

I've noticed Alot of "History" Channels are recycling ♻️ their content because they are affiliated. Most are the same COPY PASTE Battle map type Channels!! YOU are on actual Battlefields!! Semper FI!! VERMONT Brigade

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@Grunt802VT nothing better than being on a battlefield learning! Thanks for watching.

[@HistorySavior1941]

Just rewatched this. Awesome job on this video! Especially the cinematography. Great job!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Appreciate that man. Love learning about the sharpshooters

[@HistorySavior1941]

Me too! Those guys were interesting. The requirements that they had to meet were crazy!

[@williamcreach540]

First I would like to say that I have been enjoying your videos. The way you mix your video with the reenactment and maps is very helpful. However I’m pretty sure you show a picture of Stonewall Jackson and claim it to be William Oates. Minor mistake but was a distraction from what the video accomplishes.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the series. My main goal is to simplify the battle a bit. The Gettysburg battlefield is massive and can be a bit intimidating. Just went back to watch it and I can’t believe I did that 🤦‍♂️. Thanks for catching that.

[@jarodlusk3399]

Not to be Pedantic, but the buttons weren't rubber. They were standard buttons, coated in rubber

[@ProjectPast1565]

Details matter. Thanks for watching and sharing that tidbit.

[@brendano4196]

Awesome and well made video! Earned a sub.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting. Your support is greatly appreciated.

[@ballroomrx7599]

You absolutely can load prone and kneeling. You just have to be Limber and know the manual of arms to do so. #doneit

[@ProjectPast1565]

Poor wording on my part. Was trying to say it’s more difficult to do so.

[@RedoubtProductions1754]

Never knew that tidbit on the 15th Alabama filling canteens along Plum Run.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah I’m not sure exactly how many men were sent on the water detail but definitely was a cool little nugget to learn. Thanks for watching!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching!

[@eldonhagen1257]

Excellent video but it looks like the picture of Colonel William Oates is mistakenly Stonewall Jackson...I know they all look like the same, craft beer hipsters lol

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yes you’re correct. A real bone beaded move on my part. I noted that silly mistake in the video description. Thanks for granting me some grace and thanks for watching. Craft beer hipsters 😂

[@eldonhagen1257]

@@ProjectPast1565 - Your video is well edited and put together! It's just a visual typo, not very distracting...most people wouldn't notice, but I had recently seen a photo of Oates in one of these videos on the battle, it's cool that we have photographs of a lot of these civil war personalities, early photography is one area that fascinates me. Especially 'then & now' landscape shots.

[@eldonhagen1257]

I checked up on Oates. Interesting that he also became governor of his state. He gave Chamberlain and his Maine boys a praising review on their gallant performance in battle against him: Oates stated: His [Col. Chamberlain's] skill and persistency and the great bravery of his men saved Little Round Top and the Army of the Potomac from defeat. [If one more Confederate regiment had stormed the far left of the Army of the Potomac with the 15th Alabama,] "...we would have completely turned the flank and have won Little Round Top, which would have forced Meade's whole left wing to retire." He concluded, philosophically, that "great events sometimes turn on comparatively small affairs."[3][dead link][4]

[@ProjectPast1565]

That’s a great account from him. I think his brother was killed in the fighting as well but I’m not entirely sure. I still can’t believe I made that silly mistake. Sometimes you edit and watch something so many times every just blends together.

[@TribeTaz]

Love seeing these lesser known parts of Gettysburg. Loved JD's video about the sharpshooters too. I think you two need a collaboration one day

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’d love that. JD is an amazing mind and creator.

[@TribeTaz]

@@ProjectPast1565 So are you.

[@RichardJones-er5or]

Great video. Without these guys, it's obvious that Oates would have taken Little Round Top. There weren't any Union troops up there until about 15 minutes before the attack. The delay the 2nd Sharpshooters caused meant all the difference. No disrespect intended to the efforts of the 20th Maine that day! ------- Have you considered doing a video on the 137th NY at Culps Hill?

[@ProjectPast1565]

I actually just put out a video about Culp’s Hill. I didn’t go as in depth about the 137th though. I’ll definitely do another video about them. Thanks for watching!

[@RichardJones-er5or]

I'll look for it. If you do another about 137th, check out the 149th NY who I believe covered the left flank of the 137th NY during those attacks on Culp's Hill.

[@eriknielsen8016]

Great video, great production!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch

[@Stormwriter]

Weird. I just watched a show on them last night. It was the series "Blood and Fury - America's Civil War" and the episode (S01E04) was about Gettysburg, and thankfully they focused on something other than 20th Maine. I was surprised how instrumental Bedran's Sharpshooters were on that day, and they probably saved the Union more than 20th Maine did, and yet few people know about them.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah, that episode is the only reason I even knew about the Slyder farm. Then I went down a rabbit hole researching the story.

[@bobburges3654]

I'm more interested in the 15th Alabama.

[@darrellhampton5057]

The picture yall flashed of Oats was actually Gen Jackson. Good video, but get your mess right.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah I noted that mistake in the video description. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch it in the editing process. Thanks for watching

[@darrellhampton5057]

@@ProjectPast1565 good job all the same. I already watch A LOT of History Underground and JD, you guys do a fantastic job at teaching history. Keep up the good work.

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@darrellhampton5057 I appreciate that. JDs channel is fantastic and he’s an even better person.

[@darrellhampton5057]

@@ProjectPast1565 of that I have no doubt.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

5 🌟 presentetion

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thank you! 👍

[@FastwayIndustries]

I live in Gettysburg and i love it, its haunted as fuck tho😂

[@ProjectPast1565]

😂😂

[@briandenison2325]

Ghosts don’t exist my dude

[@FastwayIndustries]

@@briandenison2325 move to Gettysburg you will change your mind

[@gubbylee]

@@briandenison2325 Ghosts do exist my dude !

[@73beetle19]

The Confederate’s had less men. They should never have fought in a standing line. They should have fought behind trees and fences.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That was the military doctrine of the time but as the war progressed both sides utilized defensive positions.

[@Snowboarder16]

So right

[@clydedavis1428]

what kind of camera are you using wow let me know.

[@ProjectPast1565]

For the slow-mo shots I use a go pro hero 10. For all the vlog style and talking parts I use a Sony zv1 with a gimbal. Every now and again I’ll use my iPhone on 4k for some b-roll.

[@HockeyFan1972]

Do you have any sources that confirm the position of Company A? The Minnesota boys?

[@ProjectPast1565]

The only things I could find about the detached companies of the 1st Minn were from company F and C. I can’t find anything on A. If you find anything send it my way!

[@HockeyFan1972]

I did my Masters's Degree Thesis on Company A, and am in my PhD program now and plan on expounding on it for my doctoral thesis. I will keep your channel in mind!@@ProjectPast1565

[@michaelsullivan2554]

Thanks for the good information on the rubber buttons. I've bought my last set of Goodyear tires.

[@iowapanfishing6835]

Thank you for this video. I learned just today that one of my ancestors was in Co C, 2nd Regt, Berdan's Sharpshooters. Might you know where I can see out company roll outside the National Archives?

[@ProjectPast1565]

Oh wow, what a cool thing to discover. My best guess would maybe be the library of congress website. I do know of a few books on Amazon related to the 2nd US sharpshooters as well. Perhaps they may contain the muster rolls

[@iowapanfishing6835]

@@ProjectPast1565 Thank you for your quick reply. I've put in a request to the National Archives for his service records.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Of course. Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

[@russellfredrick6519]

​@iowapanfishing6835 there is a website called soldiers and sailors.

[@moonmunster]

Southeastern PA sure looks like nice country.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s beautiful

[@Paulftate]

Green jackets commemorated green mountain boys Vermont

[@MarkFlashman]

They had a drill to load muskets while lying prone.

[@gregwilliams386]

Bummer, I was looking where an ancestor had served. But he was still in Company G, 1st USSS at Gettysburg. He lost 2 fingers there.

[@ProjectPast1565]

The History Underground has a video about the 1st US sharpshooters. The link to it is in the video description.

[@eldonhagen1257]

I want one of those Tiffany backpacks....

[@aceshott3548]

What a poor uninformed video. I don’t really care to hear about the sharpshooters either. They sound very well, equipped and supplied by their rich government I guess…

[@ProjectPast1565]

If you don’t care to hear about them then why did you watch a video about them? 😂

[@larryrowe5259]

So to be clear, they were US Army regulars while most of the men were volunteers?

[@ProjectPast1565]

To my understanding the were volunteers. They were approved through the war department though. They became professional soldiers who received far more vigorous training than your ordinary volunteer.

[@buckysimmons5164]

Jerome B Robertson was commander of the Texas Brigade, not Bees @ 1:44. All stone walls and fences were there during the battle.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yup, I’m aware. I said Jerome B’s Texas brigade. Meaning Roberson’s Texans. I should have been more clear. Thanks for watching!

[@roland.j.ruttledge]

Great history. Nice touch about the the water bottles... dehydration saps the life out of you. Many thanks UK

[@ProjectPast1565]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. Dehydration is the great equalizer. No one is immune.

[@roland.j.ruttledge]

Am watching Andersonville...what a hell hole!

[@bobpowers6239]

Thank you so much for that clips Information I never heard of

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching!

[@preston9413]

քʀօʍօֆʍ

[@danwallach8826]

Woman White and his 60-man unit had 50 rounds apiece, making for 3,000 rounds of fire into the 15th Alabama and led them on a chase up Little Round Top where the 20th Maine had deployed mere minutes ahead of White's arrival. The 15th Alabama made a half-dozen attempts to take Little Round Top, but the 20th Maine swept down on them in a bayonet charge. It just goes to show how all the separate firefights were a close-run thing. The most interesting one to me is Culp's Hill, which was contested all three days.

[@danwallach8826]

Dammit! Wyman White! Sorry.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That’s a ton of lead being shot down range. Culp’s is definitely an intense fight. 3 straight days of fighting!

[@kimoandrews5802]

Were the Sharpshooter used a precious resource or were they just willy nilly thrown into battle by the commanding general? How much training did they have to go through?

[@ProjectPast1565]

Common duties of sharpshooters included picket duty, scouting, and skirmishing. Sometimes they were placed in position to directly engage the enemy first. They went through far more training than an ordinary soldier. One of the more well known tests for them was firing ten bullets in succession within five inches from the center at a distance of six hundred feet from a resting position.

[@RichardJones-er5or]

They had plenty of combat experience before Gettysburg. Suggest you google Berdan's Sharpeshooters for all the info.

[@Sodbusterrod]

The fence at 2:57 is unlikely to be like the fence in 1863. It is not near animal proof. It would have been higher and much tighter. Please see contemporary photos of fences from the era. 10:04

[@jefferyphelps8729]

The sharp shooter were used before Gettysburg by the British army in the Napoleonic war of 1805

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yes, they even date back to Rodgers Rangers during the French and Indian war. But Berdan’s men were different. They were the first to sport breechloading rifles in combat and often deployed in small groups when operating. They laid the groundwork for the modern day scout-sniper.

[@talleman1]

I know that sharpshooter in the video.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Nice 🤙

[@andrejmucic5003]

Your video is disorienting. No sense of position or direction. Please do it again.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Sorry this video didn’t meet your expectations. Thanks for watching.

[@billyshane3804]

Bob Berdan Brian Berdan Boz Berdan

[@briansuprenant7921]

Did he say Law commanded a brigade of Albanians?

[@ProjectPast1565]

No 😂 Alabamians

[@dewfreedman]

There was one that survived the war and killed more than 150 using a river !

[@celticnorthman3615]

Nice presentation!!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate that. Thanks for watching

[@granitejeepc3651]

they were more like a troop of DMRs not a "sniper" there big advantage was breechloading rifle volume of fire not accuracy...opposite of name you CAN load a muzzle loader while laying down

[@ProjectPast1565]

They helped lay the ground work for the modern day sniper. Scouting, skirmishing and every now and again, take out a high value target. Yes you can, but with great difficulty. The video mentions how their breech loaders gave them a huge advantage in rate of fire.

[@Zakalwe-01]

Those walls/fence things are damned strange. Neither one thing or the other. I don’t get the design at all!

[@TheStrathmoreChannel]

Fence lines are a convenient place to put rocks if you clear them from a field.

[@ScreenDish]

What the title of the song at the ending of this video?

[@ProjectPast1565]

I can’t recall off the top of my head. I bet all my music from epidemic sound though.

[@johns3544]

To bad them boys didnt go all the way. Would have won the war in only a few hours.😂

[@dewfreedman]

Confederates had 2.5 mile abilities

[@Demun1649]

Why the plinky-plonky--plinky muzak?

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was either this or Metallica. Didn’t think enter sandman was the right choice though.

[@Demun1649]

@@ProjectPast1565 Thank you for the response. Doesn't change anything. I start to watch this type of "documentary" but soon lose interest, mainly due to the commentator NOT bing trained in the use of a teacher's control of the voice. DRC now.

[@ProjectPast1565]

🤙

[@azt69boyz72]

Berdan's sharpshooters were renowned during the war. In 2010, i visited the Antietam battlefield. I was astonished at the short distances between the engaged forces. No doubt battle smoke obscured the combatants or the slaughterr wiuld have been greater. The countryside was beautiful.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Antietam is beautiful. It’s so well preserved. I guess you can say it’s hauntingly beautiful given what happened there.

[@azt69boyz72]

@ProjectPast1565 I lay on the grass near Burnside's bridge and would have stayed there all day, but I was on my way to South Carolina. I had arrived there very early in the morning before the park opened.

[@ballroomrx7599]

I’ve been in a reenactment where the two lines were 20 yards apart and within 2-3 minutes we couldn’t see the other line through the smoke

[@randysoerries2859]

Werent most southern boys sharpshooters? Just asking?

[@ProjectPast1565]

No more than soldiers from the north. Crack shots on both sides.