I have an ancestor who served in the Light Dragoons and I'd like to know what that means.
2006-06-25 12:13:47 · 5 answers · asked by BooBooKins 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Dragoons are basically mounted infantry, or horsemen who fought dismounted. They were legendary for carrying carbines (the gunpowder-era one, not the modern carbine), also called dragoon carbines. Dragoons were more mobile than regular infantry and more effective than other cavalry. They employed guerilla tactics.
Perhaps the most famous unit was the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, nicknamed "Sheldon's Horse," of the Revolutionary War.
Dragoons were soon converted to lncers (ulans) and hussars. Dragoons participated in WWI and WWII (although by then already obsolete in most armies). Today some armored regiments are designated as dragoons.
2006-06-25 16:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by im_smart 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Horseback Soldiers. Trace their development from the Border Rievers of Scotland/England.
2006-06-25 19:20:35 · answer #2 · answered by subbie4gb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
British regiment founded in the 18th century. See link.
2006-06-25 19:18:45 · answer #3 · answered by ed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light draggons were more or less the forerunners of the calvery
2006-06-25 20:32:12 · answer #4 · answered by longhunter17692002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See for yourself - all you need to do is google it
http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/regimental_history/index.php
2006-06-25 19:21:14 · answer #5 · answered by johnslat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋