When compared to cavalry, they were seen as a lesser version: They received lesser horses, poorer equipment, and were not considered as dignified as cavalry forces. This also meant they signaled with drummers instead of bugles. They carried infantry ranks and received the lower infantry pay. This meant they were organized into companies instead of squadrons. Related: 2nd cavalry regiment ‘dragoons’ nuke it out during unit fight night Organization of dragoonsĮarly commanders organized the dragoons as infantry fighting forces and not as cavalry. Other dragoons carried short muskets, and the shorter barreled guns tended to have more muzzle flash, and that flash gives the appearance of fire. Some were even designed with dragon’s heads, making their open mouths appear to shoot fire. French dragoons carried “dragon” pistols which were short blunderbuss guns that fired a load of shot.
According to most sources, the name comes from the weapons carried by early dragoons. Where the name “dragoon” came from is also disputed. However, the first army to see the fighting potential of grunts on horses came from Germany, when Count Ernst von Mansfeld created the “flying army.” In 1572 Louis of Nassau tossed some 500 men on horses for faster transportation. In 1552 we have recorded examples of Spanish infantry mounting horses to give them an edge through surprise over the enemy.
It’s hard to say who put infantrymen on horses first. The cavalry had a specialized role that your average grunt was equipped or trained to do on a horse. An infantryman on a horse isn’t a cavalry soldier by any means. In the mid-16th century, someone had the great idea to put an infantryman on a horse. The infantry on the ground, the cavalry on horses. In the 16th century frontline, fighting men were divided between infantry and cavalry.
Today we will explore these mounted troops, their history and duties, how they influenced modern warfare, and of course, the modern take on them. This is unjustified since their tactics have greatly influenced the modern infantry. Dragoons are a fascinating and often ignored part of historical warfare.
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