of J. H. Hobart Ward's brigade when the latter became acting division commander (David B. Birney having become acting corps commander following the wounding of Daniel Sickles) and led the division throughout the rest of the campaign, as well as during the subsequent Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns. Post-war career Berdan resigned his commission January 2, 1864, and returned to his career as an engineer and inventor. On December 8, 1868, President Andrew Johnson nominated Berdan for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, for the Battle of Chancellorsville, at which he led a brigade, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 16, 1869. Although President Johnson also nominated Berdan for appointment to the brevet grade of major general of volunteers to rank from the same date for his services at the Battle of Gettysburg, at which he also led a brigade, the U.S. Senate did not confirm that appointment. Despite the lack of necessary Senate confirmation of the appointment to make it official, many sources refer to Berdan as a brevet major general and even his grave stone in Arlington National Cemetery indicates he was a brevet major general. He was considered by many to be a crack marksman and innovator, but unfit for field command. Berdan subsequently invented numerous engines of war, including a twin-screw submarine gunboat, a torpedo boat for evading torpedo nets, a long-distance rangefinder and a distance fuse for shrapnel. Death Berdan died unexpectedly on March 31, 1893 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Fictional portrayals The part of Hiram Berdan was played by Kurtwood Smith in the 1986 ABC miniseries. A film created by Silver Domino Productions was based on Berdan and his men. See also List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union) References Further reading Stevens, C.A., Berdan's United States Sharpshooters in the Army of the Potomac, 1861–1865. , External links History of U.S. Sharpshooters Brief biography and photo gallery Union Army generals Firearm designers Ammunition designers 19th-century American inventors People from Phelps, New York People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery 1824 births 1893 deaths