Miss Rose - Here are a few tidbits on the Confederate Sharpshooters to chew on: 

In April 1862 the Confederate Congress passed an act to organize battalions of sharpshooters:

 “SECTION 1.  The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of War may secure to be organized a battalion of sharpshooters for each brigade, consisting of not less than three nor more than six companies, to be composed of men selected from the brigade or otherwise, and armed with long-range muskets or rifles, said companies to be organized, and the commissioned officers therefore appointed by the President, by and with the advice, and consent of the Senate.  Such battalions shall constitute parts of the brigades to which they belong, and shall have such field and staff officers as are authorized by law for similar battalions, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”

The ANV didn’t really start fielding sharpshooters in great numbers until 1863. (Robert Rhodes was one of the pioneers in the field, forming a unit in early 1863 that was used in action at Gettysburg.)  When the authorization was made for these units they were formed for the most part from the existing infantry regiments.  Each brigade thus fielded its own Battalion of sharpshooters made up of a percentage of each company of each regiment (Something like 1/12) with total strength of around 200 men.  

By late 63/early 64, the ANV fielded some very effective units that were more like shock troops than snipers.  Don’t confuse these troops with the Union Sharpshooters; in fact, the Confederate sharpshooters were a different breed.  Reading of Major Dunlop’s ‘seine netting’ maneuvers capturing entire Union picket lines without loosing a man is amazing.  Lee made it mandatory for each brigade to form a battalion-sized unit in early 64.

These men would train together in marksmanship, range estimation and for primary duties as pickets, scouts, skirmishers and flank guards and thus would be exempt from normal fatigue and watch standing duties.  They would camp, march and fight with their companies, but would fall out when called upon to deploy the brigade sharpshooters. 

These men were identified by special badges on their uniforms - these small marks of identification allowed for easier passage through the picket lines so they would not to be confused for shirkers or stragglers.   Several of these badges have been identified through the usual sources, but only one known example survives - the 2^nd MD Battalion Sharpshooters.

The Army of TN fielded sharpshooters as well, but they were not employed quite the way the ANV did.

 Sources:

“Lee’s Sharpshooters or the Forefront of Battle.  The Greatest Story of Southern Valor Never Told.” by William S. Dunlop

“Shock Troops of the Confederacy” by Fred L. Ray

Princess Anne Greys/Lee's Sharpshooters

Georgia Sharpshooters

Shock Troops of the Confederacy

Marc