At the beginning of March 1864, two independant companies of sharpshooters were organized: the First Independant Company of Sharpshooters (Perrin's) in Ovid (Clinton Co.) Michigan; and the Second Independant Company of Sharpshooters (Vosper's) in Hillsdale, Michigan. Capt. Porter K. Perrin was the commanding officer of the 1st Company.
Both of these companies were then attached to the 27th Michigan Infantry, which then contained 12 companies rather than the usual 10. They were called "sharpshooter" companies not because the men in them were exceptionally good shots; rather because they were armed with the Spencer 7-shot magazine rifles.
Erastus Tinklepaugh was born about 1821 in Pennsylvania. In 1850 he was a farmer and lived in Greenbush Twp., Clinton Co. Michigan with his wife Orpha and children Rachel, Andrew J. and Harry. His father John (born ca. 1801 in New York) and his family lived close by. Erastus enlisted on 12 Feb 1864, was mustered in the 1st Sharpshooter Co. on 1 Mar 1864. As you know, he was wounded at Spottsylvania and finally discharged for disability at Petersburg, Va. on 17 Dec 1864 on account of wounds received. I find him, still a farmer, in the 1870 census living in Spring Brook, Gratiot Co. with his wife Orpha and children Harry, Marion, Marilla, Clara, and Emma. There is no listing for him in the 1880 or subsequent censuses; I could find no evidence that he or his widow ever applied for a pension.
Edward L. Tinklepaugh was born about 1838 in Michigan and was the son of John Tinklepaugh; so he was a brother of Erastus. He was mustered into Co. G, 23rd Mich. Inf. on 12 Sept 1862 at Greenbush as Private. He died of disease on 31 Oct 1862 in Lebanon, Ky. and is buried in the Lebanon National Cemetery.
Andrew J. Tinklepaugh was born about 1845 in Michigan and was a son of Erastus. He was mustered into Co. D, 26th Mich. Inf. on 15 Sept 1862 at Fulton as Private. He died of disease on 15 Nov 1863 at Near Mountain Run, Va.