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Civil War enthusiasts will consider Fred L. Ray's "Shock Troops of the Confederacy" a long-overdue study of an overlooked subject. By Michael Aubrecht

Date published: 7/22/2006

SHOCK TROOPS OF THE CONFEDERACY, THE SHARPSHOOTER BATTALIONS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, by Fred L. Ray. CFS Press. 450 pages, 43 maps, 59 illustrations. $34.95 (Order online at cfspress.com/sharpshooters/index.html.)

TECHNOLOGICALLY speak- ing, most military historians agree that the American Civil War was an event that was unparalleled in the annals of military history. It was during this time that revolutionary developments in both firearms and munitions forced the commanders of both armies to re-evaluate their tactics as well as their deployment strategies.

As weapons became more advanced and ultimately more lethal, the traditional style of warfare that had been the foundation of the West Point curriculum became an archaic doctrine. Predominantly based on the campaigns of Napoleon, the old philosophy utilized the simple concept of amassing troops in order to increase firepower. This rudimentary fighting style was necessary in order to compensate for the limitations of traditional firearms. With the evolution of more sophisticated weaponry, the methods used when conducting a battle began to change.

Perhaps the most deadly of all innovations was the development of the Minie ball. It allowed a rifle to be loaded and fired with greater speed and accuracy than had been possible in the past. In addition, advancements to both traditional muskets and new and improved rifles, capable of reaching distances once thought out of range, opened the door to a whole new approach to killing.

Rifles themselves were not new, as they were used in the Revolutionary War and on the American frontier. But they were still considered a specialty weapon and not practical as a standard infantry long arm. They were not as mass-produced, either, and were usually reserved for those exhibiting a skill in the art of shooting.

These men were the first sharpshooters, who acted in roles of reconnaissance, skirmishing and light infantry. Their ability to scout, engage, and "pick-off" the enemy from hundreds of yards away changed the art of war forever and forged the modern-day sniper's mantra of "One shot--one kill."

Author Fred L. Ray will sign copies of his new book, "Shock Troops of the Confederacy," tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Eastern National Bookstore at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center at 1011 Lafayette Ave. 540/372-3034.

Date published: 7/22/2006