3th Voltigeur of the Line (France) image - Heroes of The Napoleonic Wars II mod for Men of War: Assault Squad 2
La garde meurt mais ne se rend pas! For MOW AS2 and Gates of Hell.
In 1804, each French Line (Ligne) and Light (Légère) infantry battalion was ordered to create one company of ninety of the best shots who would serve as elite skirmishers.
This company would frequently be detached from the battalion to perform specialised light infantry tasks - operating in loose formation, forming the skirmish line and screening the battalion from the enemy. The voltigeurs were skilled at sharpshooting and received specific training in marksmanship, using cover and taking the initiative.
Although the original concept of skirmishers using cavalry to transport them during battle quickly proved unworkable in any large scale, voltigeurs did on occasion ride with French dragoons to battle, as recalled by a British officer on the harrowing retreat of John Moore's army prior to the Battle of Corunna.
"The French had much the advantage of us in these petty warfares, for I have frequently seen their light troops mounted behind their dragoons, so that when they came to a favourable place to make an attack, these fellows dismounted quite fresh, and our light troops who had been always marching, had to oppose them; still we managed to beat them off."[1]
With the reorganization of 1807 the voltigeur company was enlarged to 120 men. When the battalion was formed up in line formation, the voltigeurs took their place on the left of the line, the second most prestigious position. The top position, the right, was occupied by the battalion's grenadier company.
Looks amazing
The principle of an infantryman moving quickly on the battlefield, because riding in a rear behind a horseman is very old in France: the Gauls already practiced it in their battles against Caesar and his Romans. We had forgotten this technique, but the Revolutionary imagination, making use of all wood to completely reform military tactics, had found it again.
Meanwhile, the idea of a soldier fighting either on horseback or on foot had been born: this is the function of the "dragoon" on the battlefield.