The Georgia 1st Battalion Sharpshooters mustered into Confederate service on August 15, 1862, at Camp Anderson south of Savannah Georgia on the Ogeechee River. Throughout 1862, the 1st Sharpshooters served on the Georgia coast and was part of the garrison that defended Fort McAllister in February, 1863. On May 5th, 1863, the battalion was ordered to Mississippi with Gen. William Henry Talbot Walker to help Gen. Pemberton near Vicksburg. The brigade was composed of the 1st Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, 4th Louisiana Battalion and Martin's Georgia Battery. Following the surrender of Vicksburg, the 1st Sharpshooters participated in the battle of Chickamauga and the ensuing Atlanta Campaigns, losing greatly. They continued in the battles at Franklin and Nashville and were finally surrendered with Gen. Johnston in North Carolina with less than 35 officers and men. Companies Of The GA 1st Battalion Sharpshooters The battalion was organized with four companies on June 20, 1862. Some of the men were from DeKalb County.