1st Battalion Sharpshooters [also called 9th Battalion- was organized at Gordonsville, Virginia, in May, 1862, with two companies from the 21st North Carolina Regiment. Its members were from Tadkin and Forsyth counties. During the war it was assigned to General Trimble's, Hoke's, and R.D. Johnston's Brigade. After fighting in Jackson's Valley Campaign as part of the 21st Regiment, the unit participated in many conflicts of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days' Battles to Mine Run . It served in North Carolina during the winter of 1863-1864 and was active in the capture of Plymouth. Returning to Virginia, the battalion fought at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor, was with Early in the Shenandoah Valley, then aided in the Appomattox Campaign. It sustained 9 casualties at Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill, 11 on the Rappahannock, 15 at Groveton, and 11 at Chancellorsville. The unit surrendered with 3 officers and 65 men, of which 46 were armed. Major Rufus W. Wharton was in command.