Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen
| Active | 1847—1848 |
|---|---|
| Country |
 United States |
| Branch |
 United States Army |
| Type | Voltigeur |
| Role | Skirmisher |
| Size | Regiment |
| Weapons | Model 1841 rifle |
| Disbanded | August 25, 1848 |
| 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