Dragoons were originally a type of mounted infantry. They used horses to move around, but got off the horses to fight on foot. They were also used as cavalry and were trained to fight with swords on horseback. The name is taken from a type of firearm, called a "dragon". The dragon was a handgun version of a blunderbuss. It was carried by dragoons of the French Army. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, most European armies had dragoons. In modern times, some armoured or ceremonial mounted regiments still call themselves dragoons.
Dragoon
Questions and Answers
Q: What were dragoons originally used for?
A: Dragoons were originally used as mounted infantry.
Q: Did dragoons fight on foot or on horseback?
A: Dragoons fought on foot, but were also trained to fight with swords on horseback.
Q: Where does the name "dragoon" come from?
A: The name "dragoon" comes from a type of firearm called a "dragon".
Q: What was the dragon?
A: The dragon was a handgun version of a blunderbuss, and was carried by dragoons of the French Army.
Q: In what time period were most European armies using dragoons?
A: Most European armies had dragoons in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Q: Do any modern regiments still call themselves dragoons?
A: Yes, some armoured or ceremonial mounted regiments still call themselves dragoons.
Q: How did dragoons move around?
A: Dragoons used horses to move around, but got off the horses to fight on foot.