Sniper History

A sniper is a highly trained marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles.
In addition to marksmanship, military snipers are also trained in camouflage, field craft, infiltration, reconnaissance and observation.^[1] Snipers are especially effective when deployed within the urban terrain of urban warfare, or jungle terrain of jungle warfare.

Second Boer War
Frederick Russell Burnham in Africa

The first British sniper unit began life as Lovat Scouts, a Scottish Highland regiment that earned high praise during the Second Boer War (1899–1902).
The unit was formed by Lord Lovat and reported to an American, Major Frederick Russell Burnham, the British Army Chief of Scouts under Lord Roberts.
Burnham fittingly described these scouts as "half wolf and half jackrabbit.
Just like their Boer scout opponents, they were well practiced in the arts of marksmanship, field craft, and military tactics.
They were also the first known military unit to wear a ghillie suit.They were skilled woodsmen but also practitioners of discretion: "He who shoots and runs away, lives to shoot another day.
" After the war, this regiment went on to formally become the British Army's first sniper unit, then better known as sharpshooters.