Berdan, Hiram (1824-1893)

Name:: Berdan, Hiram (1824-1893)
Title:: Top Rifle Shot in U.S. for fifteen years prior to Civil War
Inventor of Berdan Rifle and primer
Commanding officer of Berdan's Sharpshooters in Civil War.
Colonel, U.S. Army
Other Names:: Berdan, Col. Hiram
Born:: 09/06/1824
Birthplace:: Phelps, NY
Died:: 03/31/1893
Residence:: Phelps, NY
New York City, NY
Nationality:: American
Occupation:: Mechanical Engineer
Army officer
Notes:: Worked as mechanical Engineer in NY before Civil War.
Invented machine to separate gold from ore.
Patented musket ball type.
Summer/Fall 1861, recruited 18 companies from 8 States, formed into the 1st & 2nd US Sharpshooters.
Named Colonel of above on 11/30/1861.
Seven Days Battles (06/25-07/01/1862).
Second Battle of Bull Run (08/28-30/1862).
Battle of Shepherdstown (09/19-20/1862).
Commanded 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac, February-March, 1863.
Commanded 3rd Brigade at Chancellorsville (05/01-05/1863).
Sharpshooters played major roles at Gettysburg (07/01-03/1863) delaying rebel attacks.
Served in Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns.
Resigned commission 01/02/1864, returned to career as inventor.
Brevitted to Brigadeer and Major General ranks in 1865 for actions at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
Invented repeating rifle (1868), twin-screw submarine gunboat, torpedo boat, long-distance rangefinder and distance fuse for shrapnel.
Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.