Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen
The Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen was a one-year regiment of the United States Army raised during the Mexican–American War. It was active in 1847 and 1848.
| Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen | |
|---|---|
| Active | February 11, 1847 – August 25, 1848 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Voltigeurs Riflemen |
| Role | Skirmishing Light Infantry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Weapons | Model 1841 rifle |
| Engagements | Mexican–American War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col. Timothy P. Andrews |
Background
At the beginning of the Mexican American War, Congress changed its policy of attempting to prosecute the war with the Regular Army and ordered nine new regiments: eight infantry and the Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen.[1] The regiment was authorized on February 11, 1847 and the first officers, the colonel and the lieutenant colonel, were assigned on February 16, 1847.[2]
Organization
The regiment was commanded by Colonel Timothy P. Andrews; His second-in-command was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Johnston.[2]
The regiment was one of nine new infantry regiments authorized by the United States Congress in 1847 for one year service in the Mexican-American War.[3] The regiment was not numbered. It was to be a special unit with half of its men to be mounted, the other half were to be on foot. The intent was to have each horseman paired with a foot soldier who was to get up behind him for rapid movements.
However this arrangement was never used, the Voltigeurs became a regiment of foot riflemen, armed with the muzzle-loading Model 1841 rifle, the same rifle as was used by the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. The Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen regiment included a company of mountain howitzers and war rockets.[1]
References
- Mahon, John K.; Danysh, Romana (1972). "Infantry Part 1: Regular Army" (PDF). Center of Military History. Office of the Chief of Military History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- Heitman, Francis B. (1903). Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army : from its organization, September 29, 1789, to March 2, 1903. Vol. 1 (1 ed.). p. 143. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
This is the unofficial work of a private compiler, purchased and published by direction of Congress
- Robarts, William Hugh (1887). Mexican War Veterans. Washington, DC: Brentano's (A. S. Witherbee & Co, Proprietors). pp. 33–34. Retrieved 17 August 2016.