| Active | 1847—1848 |
|---|---|
| Disbanded | August 25, 1848 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army |
| Type | Voltigeur |
| Role | Skirmisher |
| Size | Regiment |
| Weapons | Model 1841 rifle |
| Commanders | |
| Sole Commander | Timothy P. Andrews |
The Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen was a regiment of the United States. It was one of nine new infantry regiments authorized by the United States Congress in 1847 for one year service in the Mexican-American War.[1] Unlike the others it was not numbered but was named, called the Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen. 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.[2]
The regiment was commanded by Colonel Timothy P. Andrews. His second-in-command was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Johnston (the future Confederate general).
References[]
- ↑ One of ten new regiments raised for one year according to act of Congress Feb. 11, 1847. William Hugh Robarts, "Mexican War veterans : a complete roster of the regular and volunteer troops in the war between the United States and Mexico, from 1846 to 1848 ; the volunteers are arranged by states, alphabetically", BRENTANO'S, (A. S. WITHERBEE & CO , Proprietors,; WASHINGTON, D. C., 1887. p.11
- ↑ John K. Mahon and Romana Danysh, ARMY LINEAGE SERIES; INFANTRY; Part I: Regular Army, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY, UNITED STATES ARMY, WASHINGTON, D.C., 1972. p. 17
The original article can be found at Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen and the edit history here.