Editing Dragoon

{{Short description|Type of mounted soldiers}}
{{Distinguish|Dragon}}
{{About|mounted infantry units that later became cavalry|other uses|Dragoon (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
[[File:02 187 Book illustrations of Historical description of the clothes and weapons of Russian troops.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Mounted Russian dragoon armed with an infantry [[long gun]], {{circa|1710}}]]

'''Dragoons''' were originally a class of [[mounted infantry]], who used horses for mobility, but dismounted to fight on foot. From the early 17th century onward, dragoons were increasingly also employed as conventional [[cavalry]] and trained for combat with swords and firearms from horseback.{{Sfn|Carman|1977|p=48}} While their use goes back to the late 16th century, dragoon regiments were established in most European armies during the 17th and early 18th centuries; they provided greater mobility than regular infantry but were far less expensive than cavalry.

The name reputedly derives from a type of [[firearm]], called a ''[[Dragon (firearm)|dragon]]'', which was a handgun version of a [[blunderbuss]], carried by dragoons of the [[French Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/57447?isAdvanced=false&result=1&rskey=synm9O& |title= Dragoon |website= Oxford English Dictionary |quote= A kind of carbine or musket.}}</ref><ref>"took his name from his weapon, a species of carbine or short musket called the dragon" ({{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Dragoon |volume=8 |page=471}})</ref>

The title has been retained in modern times by a number of [[armoured warfare|armoured]] or ceremonial mounted regiments.

== Origins and name ==
[[File:Le Dragon missionnaire.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Cartoon of a French dragoon intimidating a [[Huguenot]] in the ''[[Dragonnades]]'']]

The establishment of dragoons evolved from the practice of sometimes transporting [[infantry]] by horse when speed of movement was needed. During the [[Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire]] in the 16th century, Spanish [[conquistador]]s fought on horse with [[arquebus]]es, prefiguring the origin of European dragoons.{{Sfn|Espino López|2012|pp=7–48}} In the Spanish army, dragoons were initially mounted infantry, trained to fight both on horseback and dismounted. They were a type of cavalry that could perform a variety of roles, including scouting, raiding, and direct combat. Dragoons played a significant role in the Spanish army where they were known for their versatile combat capabilities and distinctive yellow uniforms. 

In 1552, [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma]], mounted several companies of infantry on [[pack horse]]s to achieve surprise, another example being that used by [[Louis of Nassau]] in 1572 during operations near [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]] in [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]], when 500 infantry were transported this way.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=330}} It is also suggested the first dragoons were raised by the Marshal [[Duke of Brissac|de Brissac]] in 1600.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=331}} According to old German literature, dragoons were invented by Count [[Ernst von Mansfeld]], one of the greatest German military commanders, in the early 1620s. There are other instances of mounted infantry predating this. However Mansfeld, who had learned his profession in Hungary and the Netherlands, often used horses to make his foot troops more mobile, creating what was called an ''armée volante'' (French for 'flying army').

The origin of the name remains disputed and obscure. It possibly derives from an early weapon, a short [[wheellock]], called a ''dragon'' because its muzzle was decorated with a dragon's head. The practice comes from a time when all gunpowder weapons had distinctive names, including the [[culverin]], serpentine, falcon, [[falconet (cannon)|falconet]], etc.{{Sfn|Bismark|1855|p=333}} It is also sometimes claimed a galloping infantryman with his loose coat and the burning match resembled a [[dragon]].{{Sfn|Carman|1977|p=48}} It has also been asserted that the name was coined by Mansfeld as a comparison to dragons represented as "spitting fire and being swift on the wing".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nolan |first1=Cpt. L. E. |title=Cavalry; Its History and Tactics |date=1860 |publisher=Bosworth & Harrison |location=London |page=65}}</ref> Finally, it has been suggested that the name derives from the German ''tragen'' or the Dutch ''dragen'', both being the verb ''to carry'' in their respective languages. [[Howard Reid (filmmaker)|Howard Reid]] claims the name and role descend from the Latin ''[[Draconarius]]''.{{Sfn|Reid|2001|p=96}}

=== Use as a verb ===
Dragoon is occasionally used as a verb meaning to subjugate or persecute by the imposition of troops; and by extension to compel by any violent measures or threats. The term dates from 1689, when dragoons were being used by [[Louis XIV|the French monarchy]] to [[Edict of Fontainebleau|persecute Protestants]], particularly by forcing [[Protestants]] to lodge a dragoon (''[[dragonnades]]'') in their house to watch over them at the householder's expense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/etymology/dragoon|title=the definition of dragoon|website=Dictionary.com}}</ref>

== Early history and role ==
Early dragoons were not organized in [[squadron (cavalry)|squadrons]] or [[troop]]s as were cavalry, but in [[company (military unit)|companies]] like the infantry. Their [[commissioned officer|commissioned]] and [[non-commissioned officer]]s bore infantry ranks, while they used drummers, not buglers, to communicate orders on the battlefield. The flexibility of mounted infantry made dragoons a useful arm, especially when employed for what would now be termed "[[internal security]]" against smugglers or civil unrest, and on [[line of communication]] security duties.

In Britain, companies of dragoons were first raised during the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]] and prior to 1645 either served as independent troops or were attached to cavalry units. When the [[New Model Army]] was first approved by [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] in January 1645, it included ten regiments of cavalry, each with a company of dragoons attached. At the urging of Sir [[Thomas Fairfax]], on 1 March they were formed into a separate unit of 1,000 men, commanded by Colonel [[John Okey]], and played an important part at the [[Battle of Naseby]] in June.{{Sfn|Ede-Borrett|2009|pp=206–207}}

Supplied with inferior horses and more basic equipment, the dragoon regiments were cheaper to raise and maintain than the expensive regiments of cavalry. When in the 17th century [[Gustav II Adolf]] introduced dragoons into the Swedish Army, he provided them with a sword, an axe and a [[matchlock]] musket, using them as "labourers on horseback".{{Sfn|Brzezinski|1993|p=14-16}} Many of the European armies henceforth imitated this all-purpose set of weaponry. Dragoons of the late 17th and early 18th centuries retained strong links with infantry in appearance and equipment, differing mainly in the substitution of riding boots for shoes and the adoption of caps instead of broad-brimmed hats to enable muskets to be worn slung.{{Sfn|Mollo|1972|p=23}}

[[File:Volontaires de Saxe, Dragon (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|French dragoon of the [[Volontaires de Saxe]] regiment, mid-18th century]]

A non-military use of dragoons was the 1681 ''[[Dragonnades]]'', a policy instituted by [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] to intimidate [[Huguenot]] families into either leaving France or re-converting to [[Catholicism]] by [[billeting]] ill-disciplined dragoons in Protestant households. While other categories of infantry and cavalry were also used, the mobility, flexibility and available numbers of the dragoon regiments made them particularly suitable for repressive work of this nature over a wide area.{{Sfn|Chartrand|1988|p=37}}

In the Spanish Army, Pedro de la Puente organized a body of dragoons in [[Innsbruck]] in 1635. In 1640, a ''[[tercio]]'' of a thousand dragoons armed with the [[arquebus]] was created in Spain. By the end of the 17th century, the Spanish Army had three ''tercios'' of dragoons in Spain, plus three in the Netherlands and three more in [[Milan]]. In 1704, the Spanish dragoons were reorganised into regiments by [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]], as were the rest of the ''tercios''.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Dragoons were at a disadvantage when engaged against true cavalry, and constantly sought to improve their horsemanship, armament and social status. By the [[Seven Years' War]] in 1756, their primary role in most European armies had progressed from that of mounted infantry to that of heavy cavalry. They were sometimes described as "medium" cavalry, midway between heavy/armoured and light/unarmoured regiments, though this was a classification that was rarely used at the time.{{Sfn|Haythornthwaite|2001|p=19}} Their original responsibilities for scouting and [[picket (military)|picket]] duty had passed to [[hussars]] and similar light cavalry corps in the French, Austrian, Prussian, and other armies. In the [[Imperial Russian Army]], due to the availability of [[Cossack]] troops, the dragoons were retained in their original role for much longer.

An exception to the rule was the British Army, which from 1746 onward gradually redesignated all regiments of "horse" (regular cavalry) as lower paid "dragoons", in an economy measure.{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|p=22}} Starting in 1756, seven regiments of [[Light Dragoons|light dragoons]] were raised and trained in [[reconnaissance]], [[skirmish]]ing and other work requiring [[Endurance riding|endurance]] in accordance with contemporary standards of light cavalry performance. The success of this new class of cavalry was such that another eight dragoon regiments were converted between 1768 and 1783.{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|p=24}} When this reorganisation was completed in 1788, the cavalry arm consisted of regular dragoons and seven units of [[dragoon guards]]. The designation of dragoon guards did not mean that these regiments (the former 2nd to 8th horse) had become household troops, but simply that they had been given a more dignified title to compensate for the loss of pay and prestige.{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|p=22}}

Towards the end of 1776, [[George Washington]] realized the need for a mounted branch of the American military. In January 1777 four regiments of light dragoons were raised. Short term enlistments were abandoned and the dragoons joined for three years, or "the war". They participated in most of the major engagements of the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], including the battles of [[Battle of White Plains|White Plains]], [[Battle of Trenton|Trenton]], [[Battle of Princeton|Princeton]], [[Battle of Brandywine|Brandywine]], [[Battle of Germantown|Germantown]], [[Battle of Saratoga|Saratoga]], [[Battle of Cowpens|Cowpens]], and [[Battle of Monmouth|Monmouth]], as well as the [[Yorktown campaign]].

== 19th century ==
[[File:Battle of Jena.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|French Dragoons with captured Prussian flag at the [[Battle of Jena–Auerstedt|Battle of Jena]]]]

During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], dragoons generally assumed a cavalry role, though remaining a lighter class of mounted troops than the armored [[cuirassier]]s. Dragoons rode larger horses than the light cavalry and wielded straight, rather than curved swords. 

=== France ===
Emperor [[Napoleon]] often formed complete divisions out of his 30 dragoon regiments, while in 1811 six regiments were converted to ''Chevau-Legers Lanciers''; they were often used in battle to break the enemy's main resistance.{{Sfn|Rothenberg|1978|p=141}} In northern and eastern Europe they were employed as heavy cavalry, while in the [[Peninsular War]] they also fulfilled the role of lighter cavalry, for example in anti-guerrilla operations.{{Sfn|Haythornthwaite|2001|p=19}} In 1809, French dragoons scored notable successes against Spanish armies at the [[Battle of Ocaña]] and the [[Battle of Alba de Tormes]].

=== British Army ===

Between 1806 and 1808, the 7th, 10th, 15th and 18th regiments of Light Dragoons of the British Army were re-designated as [[hussars]] and when the [[Napoleonic Wars]] ended in 1815, some became [[lancer]]s. The transition from dragoons to hussars was however a slow one, affecting uniforms but not equipment and functions. Even titles often remained ambiguous until 1861, for example, 18th King's Light Dragoons (Hussars).{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|pp=61 & 64}}

The seven regiments of Dragoon Guards served as the heavy cavalry arm of the British Army, although unlike continental [[cuirassier]]s they carried no armour.{{Sfn|Rowe|2004|p=}} Between 1816 and 1861, the other twenty-one cavalry regiments were either disbanded or rebadged as lancers or hussars.{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|p=24}}{{Efn|The seven Dragoon Guards regiments were the [[1st King's Dragoon Guards]], [[2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)]], [[3rd Dragoon Guards]], [[4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards]], [[5th Dragoon Guards]], [[Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)]] and the [[7th Dragoon Guards]]. In addition, there were 24 cavalry of the line regiments; [[1st The Royal Dragoons]], the [[Royal Scots Greys]]; [[3rd The King's Own Hussars]]; the [[4th Queen's Own Hussars]]; [[5th Royal Irish Lancers]] (disbanded in 1799 and reformed in 1858); the [[6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons]], the [[7th Queen's Own Hussars]], the [[8th King's Royal Irish Hussars]], the [[9th Queen's Royal Lancers]], the [[10th Royal Hussars]], the [[11th Hussars]], the [[12th Royal Lancers]], the [[13th Hussars]], the [[14th King's Hussars]], the [[15th The King's Hussars]], the [[16th The Queen's Lancers]], the [[17th Lancers]], the [[18th Royal Hussars]], the [[19th Royal Hussars]], the [[20th Hussars]], the [[21st Lancers]], the [[22nd Dragoons]], the [[23rd Light Dragoons]], the [[24th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons]] and [[25th Dragoons]] (renumbered as the 22nd Dragoons in 1802).}}

=== Kingdom of Prussia ===
The Kingdom of Prussia in the Napoleonic era included 14 Regiments of Dragoons, designated Numbers 1 through 14, in their Order of Battle at the start of the 1806 Campaign against Napoleon's French Army. Prussian cavalry regiments were better known by their "Chef" or "Inhaber", the titular commander responsible for supporting the regiment, while command in the field might fall to a more junior Colonel, Lt. Colonel, or even a Major. As a result, every time there was a change in "Chef" the name of the regiment changed. By 1806, the Prussian Dragoons wore a very tall bicorn hat worn slanted slightly obliquely with a tall, white plume. Their uniforms had changed by 1802 from coats that had been cut like the infantry to short, medium-blue cavalry tunics. Each regiment had differentiating colors for a variety of uniform accessories such as small pompoms at the side of the hat, tunic facings and shoulder flaps on the left shoulder, woolen tassels for the sabre straps, and the horse saddlecloths. Dragoons were issued a long, straight blade with a single edge, the Dragoon Pallasch sword, which featured a brass basket hilt for hand protection. The Pallasch was designed for powerful cutting and thrusting action, making it effective for cavalry charges.

For the period of 1798 to October of 1806, the majority of Prussian Dragoon regiments were similar to Prussian Cuirassier regiments in staffing and organization. Most were made up of 5 squadrons with an 'on paper' war-time regimental strength of 935 men including soldiers, officers, and all the support staff. The minor difference was that Dragoon regiments had 10 more carabiniers (60 in a Dragoon regiment compared to 50 in a Cuirassier regiment) and therefore ten fewer regular troopers (660 Dragoons compared to 670 Cuirassiers). The average regimental staff of most of the regiments was around 37 officers, 65 NCOs, one staff trumpeter and 14 trumpeters, supported by 5 surgeons led by a regimental surgeon, 9 blacksmiths, a regimental quartermaster, a chaplain and a judge, a horse trainer, a saddlemaker, a gunsmith and a gunstock maker, a provost, and 68 servants. The two regiments that were exceptions were the 5th "Bayreuth" (re-designated in March 1806 as the Queen's or "Königin" Dragoons) and the 6th "Auer" Dragoon regiments, which were double-strength with 10 squadrons and retained 2/3rd German heavy horses. 

After the disastrous results of the 1806-07 war with France, most of the Prussian army had ceased to exist. For example, the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 14th Dragoon regiments were totally lost and even the 9th and 14th Dragoon regimental depots had been destroyed. The complete re-organization of the Prussian army in 1808 led to numerous regiments being re-organized and re-designated, mixing surviving Dragoons and Cuirassier veterans with new recruits into a new numeric system and losing the traditional "Chef" naming schema in favor of a mostly geographical designation, with a few exceptions. For example, the old pre-1807 5th "Bayreuth"/"Königin" Dragoons became the 1st "Königin" Dragoon regiment, while the 7th "von Baczko" Dragoons became the 3rd "Lithuanian" Dragoon regiment. The newly designated 5th "Brandenburg" Dragoons were formed from merging the remains of the 5th "von Bailliodz" Cuirassier regiment and its depot with the remains of the old 1st "Konig von Bayern" Dragoon regiment and its depot. This resulted in the reduction of Prussian Dragoon regiments from 14 to 6.<ref>Nafziger, George F.,''The Prussian Army During the Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815). Volume III. The Cavalry & Artillery'', West Chester, OH, 1996, p16-17</ref>

Many of these new Prussian Dragoon regiments fought in the 1813 [[German Campaign of 1813|Wars of Liberation]] in the [[Sixth Coalition]] against Napoleon in central Europe and France into 1814.

=== German Empire ===
The creation of [[German Empire|a unified German state]] in 1871 brought together the dragoon regiments of [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]], [[Kingdom of Bavaria|Bavaria]], [[Kingdom of Saxony|Saxony]], Mecklenburg, [[Grand Duchy of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]], [[Grand Duchy of Baden|Baden]], [[Grand Duchy of Hesse|Hesse]], and [[Kingdom of Württemberg|Württemberg]] in a single numbered sequence, although historic distinctions of insignia and uniform were largely preserved. Two regiments of the Imperial Guard were designated as dragoons.{{Sfn|Marrion|1975|pp=7–11}}

=== Austria ===
The Austrian (later Austro-Hungarian) Army of the 19th century included six regiments of dragoons in 1836, classed as heavy cavalry for shock action, but in practice used as multi-purpose medium troops.{{Sfn|Pavlovic|1999|p=3}} After 1859 all but two Austrian dragoon regiments were converted to cuirassiers or disbanded.{{Sfn|Pavlovic|1999|p=26}} From 1868 to 1918 the Austro-Hungarian dragoons numbered 15 regiments.{{Sfn|Knotel|1980|p=26}}

=== Spain ===
During the 18th century, Spain raised several regiments of dragoons to protect the northern provinces and borders of [[New Spain]], the present-day states of California, [[Nevada]], [[Colorado]], [[Texas]], [[Kansas]], [[Arizona]], [[Montana]], [[North Dakota]], and [[South Dakota]].{{Sfn|Torres|Láinez|2008|p=?}} In mainland Spain, dragoons were reclassified as light cavalry from 1803 but remained among the elite units of the [[Military of New Spain|Spanish Colonial Army]]. A number of dragoon officers played a leading role in initiating the [[Mexican War of Independence]] in 1810, including [[Ignacio Allende]], [[Juan Aldama]] and [[Agustin de Iturbide]], who briefly served as Emperor of México from 1822 to 1823.

[[File:Officier de dragons Mexique 1826.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|{{center|Picture depicting a Mexican dragoon officer in 1826 }}]]

=== United States ===
Prior to the [[War of 1812]], the U.S. organized the [[Regiment of Light Dragoons (United States)|Regiment of Light Dragoons]]. For the war, [[2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons (United States)|a second regiment]] was activated; that regiment was consolidated with the original regiment in 1814. The original regiment was consolidated with the [[Field Artillery Branch (United States)|Corps of Artillery]] in June 1815.{{Sfn|Heitman|1903| pp=79—80}} The [[United States Dragoons]] were organized by an [[Act of Congress]] approved on 2 March 1833 after the disbandment of the [[United States Mounted Rangers|Battalion of Mounted Rangers]]. The unit became the "First Regiment of Dragoons" when the Second Dragoons was raised in 1836. In 1861, they were re-designated as the 1st and 2nd Cavalry but did not change their role or equipment, although the traditional orange uniform braiding of the dragoons was replaced by the standard yellow of the Cavalry branch. This marked the official end of dragoons in the U.S. Army in name, although certain modern units trace their origins back to the historic dragoon regiments. In practice, all US cavalry assumed a dragoon-like role, frequently using [[carbine]]s and [[pistol]]s, in addition to their [[sword]]s.

=== Russian Empire ===
Between 1881 and 1907, all Russian cavalry (other than [[Cossacks]] and [[Imperial Guard (Russia)|Imperial Guard]] regiments) were designated as dragoons, reflecting an emphasis on the double ability of dismounted action as well as the new cavalry tactics in their training and a growing acceptance of the impracticality of employing historical [[cavalry tactics]] against modern firepower. Upon the reinstatement of Uhlan and Hussar Regiments in 1907 their training pattern, as well as that of the Cuirassiers of the Guard, remained unchanged until the collapse of the Russian Imperial Army.<ref>Novitsky, N. F., ed. (1911–1915). ''Cavalry/Encyclopaedia Militera'', V.11. Moscow – SPb, Sytin Publishing.</ref>

=== Japan ===
In Japan, during the late 19th and early 20th century, dragoons were deployed in the same way as in other armies, but were dressed as [[hussars]].

== 20th century ==
[[File:German dragoons near Reims 1914.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|German dragoons near Reims 1914]]

In the period before 1914, dragoon regiments still existed in the British, French,{{Sfn|Jouineau|2008|pp=23–25}} German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian,{{Sfn|Lucas|1987|pp=101–105}} Canadian, Peruvian, Swiss,{{Sfn|Koppen|1890|p=67}} Norwegian,{{Sfn|Koppen|1890|p=62}} Swedish,{{Sfn|Koppen|1890|p=61}} Danish, and Spanish{{Sfn|Koppen|1890|p=65}} armies. Their uniforms varied greatly, lacking the characteristic features of hussar or lancer regiments. Uniforms bore occasional reminders of their mounted infantry origins: the 28 dragoon regiments of the [[German Army (German Empire)|Imperial German Army]] wore the infantry [[Pickelhaube]] or spiked helmet,{{Sfn|Herr|2006|pp=324–343}} while British dragoons wore [[Red coat (military uniform)|scarlet tunics]] for full dress while hussars and all but one of the lancer regiments wore dark blue.{{Sfn|Barthorp|1984|pp=183–184}} In other respects however dragoons had adopted the same tactics, roles and equipment as other branches of the cavalry and the distinction had become simply one of traditional titles. Weaponry had ceased to have a historic connection, with both the French and German dragoon regiments carrying [[lance]]s when serving as mounted troops during World War I.

The historic German, Russian and Austro-Hungarian dragoon regiments ceased to exist as distinct branches following the overthrow of the respective imperial regimes of these countries during 1917–18. The Spanish dragoons, which dated back to 1640, were reclassified as numbered cavalry regiments in 1931 as part of the army modernization policies of the [[Second Spanish Republic]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, France maintained 32 regiments of dragoons. Armed with lances, sabres and carbines they were primarily intended to carry out reconnaissance and infantry flanking functions.<ref>{{cite book|first=Laurent |last=Mirouze|page=296|title=The French Army in the First World War - to battle 1914.|ISBN=3-902526-09-2}}</ref>
 
[[File:Karlsruhe Leibdragonerdenkmal.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|[[Baden]] dragoon in a [[World War I]] monument at [[Karlsruhe]]. While almost an [[anachronism]] after the early stages of that war, German dragoons did see continuing service on the Eastern Front until 1917. With functional [[Stahlhelm]] helmet.]]

The [[Australian Light Horse]] were similar to 18th-century dragoon regiments in some respects, being mounted infantry which normally fought on foot, their horses' purpose being transportation. They served during the [[Second Boer War]] and [[World War I]]. The Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade became famous for the [[Battle of Beersheba (1917)|Battle of Beersheba]] in 1917 where they charged on horseback using rifle [[bayonet]]s in hand, since neither [[sabre]]s nor [[lance]]s were part of their equipment. Later in the Palestine campaign Pattern 1908 cavalry swords were issued and used in the campaign leading to the fall of Damascus.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Probably the last use of real dragoons (infantry on horseback) in combat was made by the [[Portuguese Army]] in the [[Portuguese Colonial War|war in Angola]] during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1966, the Portuguese created an experimental horse platoon to operate against the guerrillas in the high grass region of Eastern [[Angola]], in which each soldier was armed with a [[Heckler & Koch G3|G3]] [[battle rifle]] for combat on foot and with a [[semi-automatic pistol]] to fire from horseback. The troops on horseback were able to operate in difficult terrain unsuited to [[motor vehicle]]s and had the advantage of being able to control the area around them, with a clear view over the grass that foot troops did not have. Moreover, these unconventional troops created a psychological impact on an enemy that was not used to facing horse troops, and thus had no training or strategy to deal with them. The experimental horse platoon was so successful that its entire parent battalion was transformed from an armored reconnaissance unit to a three-squadron horse battalion known as the "[[Dragoons of Angola]]". One of the typical operations carried out by the Dragoons of Angola, in cooperation with [[airmobile]] forces, consisted of the dragoons chasing the guerrillas and pushing them in one direction, with the airmobile troops being launched from [[helicopter]] in the enemy rear, trapping the enemy between the two forces.{{Sfn|Cann|1997|p=?}}

=== Dragoner rank ===
Until 1918, ''Dragoner'' (en: dragoon) was the designation given to the lowest ranks in the dragoon regiments of the Austro-Hungarian and Imperial German armies. The ''Dragoner'' rank, together with all other private ranks of the different branch of service, belonged to the so-called ''[[Gemeine]]'' rank group.

==Modern dragoons==

=== Brazil ===
[[File:Pedro Américo - Independência ou Morte - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|Prince Regent [[Pedro I of Brazil|Pedro of Braganza]] (later Emperor of Brazil as Pedro I) declares the [[Independence of Brazil|Brazilian independence]] while surrounded by his guard of honour, which later became known as Independence Dragoons, 7 September 1822]]    
[[File:Lula Chirac Alvorada.JPG|thumb|The Independence Dragoons during the arrival ceremony of French president [[Jacques Chirac]] at the [[Palácio da Alvorada]] in [[Brasília]], 25 May 2006]]
The [[guard of honour]] for the [[President of Brazil]] includes the [[Independence Dragoons|1st Guard Cavalry Regiment]] of the [[Brazilian Army]], known as the ''"Dragões da Independência"'' (Independence Dragoons). The name was given in 1927 and refers to the fact that a detachment of dragoons escorted the [[Prince Royal of Portugal]] and Brazil, [[Pedro I of Brazil|Pedro of Braganza]], at the time when he [[Independence of Brazil|declared Brazilian independence]] from the [[United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves]] on 7 September 1822.

The Independence Dragoons wear 19th-century dress uniforms similar to those of the earlier Imperial Honor Guard, which are used as the regimental full dress uniform since 1927. The uniform was designed by [[Jean-Baptiste Debret|Debret]], in white and red, with plumed bronze helmets. The colors and pattern were influenced by the Austrian dragoons of the period, as the [[Maria Leopoldina of Austria|Brazilian Empress consort]] was also an [[Austrian Empire|Austrian archduchess]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Exército Brasileiro – Braço Forte, Mão Amiga |url=http://www.exercito.gov.br/VO/175/unifor.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312093820/http://www.exercito.gov.br/VO/175/unifor.htm |archive-date=12 March 2009 |language=pt}}</ref> The color of the plumes varies according to rank. The Independence Dragoons are armed with [[lance]]s and [[sabre]]s, the latter only for the officers and the colour guard.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=1 February 2014|url=http://www.presidencia.gov.br/estrutura_presidencia/gsi/cerimonial/principais_tropas/dragoes_independencia |title=Presidência da República – GSI |publisher=office of the president of Brazil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621100028/http://www.presidencia.gov.br/estrutura_presidencia/gsi/cerimonial/principais_tropas/dragoes_independencia/ |archive-date=21 June 2008 |language=pt}}</ref>

The regiment was established in 1808 by the Prince Regent and future [[List of Portuguese monarchs|King of Portugal]], [[João VI of Portugal|John VI]], with the duty of protecting the Portuguese royal family, which had sought refuge in Brazil during the [[Napoleonic wars]]. However dragoons had existed in Portugal since at least the early 18th century and, in 1719, units of this type of cavalry were sent to Brazil, initially to escort shipments of gold and diamonds and to guard the [[Viceroy]] who resided in [[Rio de Janeiro]] (1st Cavalry Regiment – Vice-Roy Guard [[Squadron (cavalry)|Squadron]]). Later, they were also sent to the south to serve against the Spanish during frontier clashes. After the proclamation of the [[Independence of Brazil|Brazilian independence]], the title of the regiment was changed to that of the Imperial Honor Guard, with the role of protecting the [[Brazilian imperial family|Imperial Family]]. The Guard was later disbanded by [[Pedro II of Brazil|Emperor Pedro II]] and would be recreated only later in the republican era.<ref>CARVALHO, José Murilo de. D. Pedro II: Ser ou não ser. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2007, p. 98</ref>

At the time of the [[Proclamation of the Republic (Brazil)|Republic proclamation]] in 1889, horse No. 6 of the Imperial Honor Guard was ridden by the officer making the declaration of the end of Imperial rule, Second lieutenant Eduardo José Barbosa. This is commemorated by the custom under which the horse having this number is used only by the commander of the modern regiment.

=== Canada ===
[[File:Memorial Stained Glass window, 2770 LCol KL Jefferson, Royal Military College of Canada.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Memorial stained glass window at [[Royal Military College of Canada]] of 2770 LCol KL Jefferson, a member of the [[12th Manitoba Dragoons]], an [[armoured regiment]] of the [[Canadian Army]] and [[Canadian Forces]]]]
There are three dragoon regiments in the [[Canadian Army]]: [[The Royal Canadian Dragoons]] and two [[military reserve|reserve]] regiments, the [[British Columbia Dragoons]] and the [[Saskatchewan Dragoons]].

The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the senior [[Armoured warfare|Armoured]] regiment in the [[Canadian Army]]. The regiment was authorized in 1883 as the Cavalry School Corps, being redesignated as Canadian Dragoons in 1892, adding the Royal designation the next year. The RCD has a history of fighting dismounted, serving in the Second Boer War in South Africa as mounted infantry, fighting as infantry with the 1st Canadian Division in Flanders in 1915–1916 and spending the majority of the regiment's service in the Italian Campaign 1944–1945 fighting dismounted. In 1994 when the regiment deployed to Bosnia as part of the United Nations Protection Force, B Squadron was employed as a mechanized infantry company. The current role of The Royal Canadian Dragoons is to provide Armour Reconnaissance support to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) as well as C Squadron RCD in Gagetown which is a part of 2 CMBG and the RCD Regiment with Leopard 2A4 and 2A6 tanks.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 December 2020 |url= https://www.dragoonsarchives.ca/home/a-short-history-of-the-royal-canadian-dragoons/ |title=A Short History of The Royal Canadian Dragoons }}</ref>

The [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] were accorded the formal status of a regiment of dragoons in 1921.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=1 February 2014 |url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/cav/RCMP.htm#colours |title=Royal Canadian Mounted Police |archive-date=18 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118041642/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/cav/RCMP.htm#colours}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/ottawa_heraldry/heraldist1.html|archive-date=1 August 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010801174646/http://www.geocities.com/ottawa_heraldry/heraldist1.html|url-status=dead|title=Ottawa Valley Branch of the Heraldry Society of Canada}}</ref> The modern RCMP does not retain any military status however.

=== Chile ===
Founded as the ''Dragones de la Reina'' (Queen's Dragoons) in 1758 and later renamed the Dragoons of Chile in 1812, and then becoming the [[Carabineros de Chile]] in 1903. The [[Carabinier|Carabineros]] are the national police of Chile. The military counterpart, that of the 15th Reinforced Regiment "Dragoons" is now as of 2010 the 4th Armored Brigade "Chorrillos" based in [[Punta Arenas]] as the 6th Armored Cavalry Squadron "Dragoons", and form part of the 5th Army Division.

=== Denmark ===
The Royal [[Danish Army]] includes amongst its historic regiments the [[Jydske Dragonregiment|Jutland Dragoon Regiment]], which was raised in 1670.

=== France ===
The modern [[French Army]] retains three dragoon regiments from the thirty-two in existence at the beginning of World War I: the [[2nd Dragoon Regiment (France)|2nd]], which is a nuclear, biological and chemical protection regiment, the [[5th Dragoon Regiment (France)|5th]], an experimental [[Combined arms]] regiment, and the [[13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment|13th]] (Special Reconnaissance).

=== Lithuania ===
Beginning in the 17th century, the mercenary army of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] included dragoon units. In the middle of the 17th century there were 1,660 dragoons in an army totaling 8,000 men. By the 18th century there were four regiments of dragoons.

Lithuanian cavalrymen served in dragoon regiments of both the Russian and Prussian armies, after the [[Partitions of Poland|Partitions]] of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]].

Between 1920 and 1924, and again between 1935 and 1940, the Lithuanian Army included the Third Dragoon ''Iron Wolf'' Regiment. The dragoons were the equivalent of the present-day [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces|Volunteer Forces]].

In modern Lithuania the Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion (''Lithuanian: didžiojo kunigaikščio Butigeidžio dragūnų batalionas'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/kariuomenes_struktura/kontaktai_1614/402.html|title=Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Kariuomenės struktūra » Kontaktai » Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio Butigeidžio dragūnų batalionas|first=Fresh|last=Media|website=kariuomene.kam.lt|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619181938/https://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/kariuomenes_struktura/kontaktai_1614/402.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> is designated as dragoons, with a motorized infantry role.

=== Mexico ===
During the times of the Viceroyalty, regiments of dragoons (Dragon de cuera) were created to defend [[New Spain]]. They were mostly horsemen from the provinces. During and after the [[Mexican war of independence]], dragons have played an important role in military conflicts within the country such as the [[Battle of Puebla]] during the [[French intervention]], until the [[Mexican Revolution]]. One of the best-known military marches in Mexico is the Marcha Dragona (dragon march), the only one currently used by cavalry and motorized units during the parade on 16 September to commemorate Independence Day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gob.mx/sedena/documentos/unidades-militares-que-existieron-en-la-nueva-espana |title=Unidades militares que existieron en la Nueva España. &#124; Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional &#124; Gobierno &#124; gob.mx |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116054004/https://www.gob.mx/sedena/documentos/unidades-militares-que-existieron-en-la-nueva-espana |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infonor.com.mx/home/3/51942-presentan-al-caballo-y-su-pasado-historico-como-arma|title=Infonor - Diario Digital|website=Infonor.com.mx|access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>

=== Norway ===
In the [[Norwegian Army]] during the early part of the 20th century, dragoons served in part as mounted troops, and in part on skis or bicycles (''hjulryttere'', meaning "wheel-riders"). Dragoons fought on horses, bicycles and skis against the [[Operation Weserübung|German invasion in 1940]]. After [[World War II]] the dragoon regiments were reorganized as [[armour]]ed [[reconnaissance]] units. "Dragon" is the rank of a compulsory service private cavalryman while enlisted (regular) cavalrymen have the same rank as infantrymen: "Grenader".

=== Pakistan ===
The Armoured Regiment "34 Lancers" of Pakistan Army Armoured Corps is also known as "Dragoons".

=== Peru ===
[[File:Dragones del Perú.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|{{center|Changing of the dragoon guard by the Field Marshal Nieto Regiment of Cavalry, Life-Guard of the President of the Republic of Peru }}]]

The [[Mariscal Domingo Nieto Cavalry Regiment Escort|"Mariscal Domingo Nieto" Cavalry Regiment Escort]], named after Field Marshal [[Domingo Nieto]], a former [[List of Presidents of Peru|President of Peru]], were the traditional Guard of the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace]] until 5 March 1987 and its disbandment in that year. However, by Ministerial Resolution No 139-2012/DE/EP of 2 February 2012 the restoration of the Cavalry Regiment "Marshal Domingo Nieto" as the official escort of the President of the Republic of Peru was announced. The main mission of the reestablished regiment was to guarantee the security of the President of the Republic and of the Government Palace.

This regiment of dragoons was created in 1904 following the suggestion of a French military mission which undertook the reorganization of the [[Peruvian Army]] in 1896. The initial title of the unit was Cavalry Squadron "President's Escort". It was modelled on the French dragoons of the period. The unit was later renamed as the Cavalry Regiment "President's Escort" before receiving its current title in 1949.

The Peruvian Dragoon Guard has throughout its existence worn French-style uniforms of black tunic and red breeches in winter and white coat and red breeches in summer, with red and white plumed bronze helmets with the [[coat of arms of Peru]] and golden or red [[epaulettes]] depending on rank. They retain their original armament of [[lance]]s and [[sabre]]s, until the 1980s rifles were used for dismounted drill.

At [[24-hour clock|13:00 hours]] every day, the main esplanade in front of the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace of Perú]] fronting Lima's Main Square serves as the stage for the changing of the guard, undertaken by members of the Presidential Life Guard Escort Dragoons, mounted or dismounted. While the dismounted changing is held on Mondays and Fridays, the mounted ceremony is held twice a month on a Sunday.

=== Portugal ===
The [[Portuguese Army]] still maintains two units which are descended from former regiments of dragoons. These are the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry (the former "[[Olivenza|Olivença]] Dragoons") and the 6th Regiment of Cavalry (the former "[[Chaves (Portugal)|Chaves]] Dragoons"). Both regiments are, presently, armoured units. The [[Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade]]'s Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron – a unit from the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry – is known as the "Paratroopers Dragoons".

During the [[Portuguese Colonial War]] in the 1960s and the 1970s, the [[Portuguese Army]] created an experimental horse platoon, to combat the guerrillas in eastern [[Portuguese Angola|Angola]]. This unit was soon augmented, becoming a group of three squadrons, known as the "[[Angola Dragoons]]". The Angola Dragoons operated as mounted infantry – like the original dragoons – each soldier being armed with a [[pistol]] to fire when on horseback and with an [[automatic rifle]], to use when dismounted. A unit of the same type was being created in [[Portuguese Mozambique|Mozambique]] when the war ended in 1974.

=== Spain ===
The [[Spanish Army]] began the training of a dragoon corps in 1635 under the direction of Pedro de la Puente at [[Innsbruck]]. In 1640 the first dragoon "[[tercio]]" was created, equipped with [[arquebus]]es and [[Mace (bludgeon)|mace]]s. The number of dragoon tercios was increased to nine by the end of the XVII century: three garrisoned in Spain, another three in the [[Spanish Netherlands|Netherlands]] and the remainder in Milan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://caminoarocroi.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/los-dragones-infanteria-a-caballo-o-caballeria-desmontada/|title=Los dragones: ¿infantería a caballo, o caballería desmontada?|date=10 July 2012|work=Camino a Rocroi|access-date=2 December 2018|language=es-ES|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055605/https://caminoarocroi.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/los-dragones-infanteria-a-caballo-o-caballeria-desmontada/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ''tercio''s were converted into a Regimental system, beginning in 1704. [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]] created several additional dragoon regiments to perform the functions of a police corps in the [[New World]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://guerrerosdelahistoria.com/dragones-de-cuera/|title=Dragones de Cuera: Oeste Español {{!}} GUERREROS|website=guerrerosdelahistoria.com|language=es-ES|access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref> Notable amongst those units were the leather-clad [[Soldado de cuera|''dragones de cuera'']].

In 1803, the dragoon regiments were renamed as "''caballería ligera''" (light cavalry). By 1815, these units had been disbanded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eborense.es/soldados1808_pg_dragones.html|title=Uniformidad de los dragones españoles en 1808|last=Gómez|first=José Manuel Rodríguez|website=www.eborense.es|language=es-es|access-date=2 December 2018|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611030651/http://www.eborense.es/soldados1808_pg_dragones.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Spain recreated its dragoons in the late nineteenth century. Three Spanish dragoon regiments were still in existence in 1930.<ref>Knotel, Richard. ''Uniforms of the World'', pp. 408–409. {{ISBN|0-684-16304-7}}</ref>

=== Sweden ===
{{See also|Norrlands dragonregemente}}

In the [[Swedish Army]], dragoons comprise the [[Military Police]] and Military Police Rangers. They also form the 13th Battalion of the [[Life Guards (Sweden)|Life Guards]], which is a military police unit. The 13th (Dragoons) Battalion have roots that go back as far as 1523, making it one of the world's oldest military units still in service. Today, the only mounted units still retained by the Swedish Army are the two dragoons squadrons of the King's Guards Battalion of the Life Guards. Horses are used for ceremonial purposes only, most often when the dragoons take part in the changing of the guards at The Royal Palace in Stockholm. "''Livdragon''" is the rank of a private cavalryman.

=== Switzerland ===
Uniquely, mounted dragoons continued to exist as combat units in the [[Swiss Armed Forces]] until the early 1970s, when they were converted into Armoured Grenadiers units. The "''Dragoner''" had to prove he was able to keep a horse at home before entering the cavalry. At the end of basic training they had to buy a horse at a reduced price from the army and to take it home together with equipment, uniform and weapon. In the "yearly repetition course" the dragoons served with their horses, often riding from home to the meeting point.

The abolition of the dragoon units, believed to be the last non-ceremonial horse cavalry in Europe, was a contentious issue in Switzerland. On 5 December 1972 the Swiss ''[[National Council of Switzerland|National Council]]'' approved the measure by 91 votes, against 71 for retention.<ref>''Dragons toujours en selle'', Éditions Imprimerie centrale, Neuchâtel (1974)</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===
As of 2021, the [[British Army]] contains four regiments designated as dragoons: [[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards|1st The Queens Dragoon Guards]], [[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards]], the [[Royal Dragoon Guards]], and the [[Light Dragoons]]. These perform a variety of reconnaissance and light support activities, including convoy protection, and operate the [[Jackal (vehicle)|Jackal]], the [[Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle]] and the [[FV107 Scimitar]] light tank.<ref>{{cite web |last1=MOD |title=Dragoon units |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/?pageId=1100&pageSize=20&query=dragoons&sort=None |website=MOD |access-date=19 May 2021}}</ref>

=== United States ===
[[File:Battle of Resaca de la Palma.jpg|thumb|alt=Sepia print of cavalrymen cutting with swords at foot soldiers. A cannon is visible at the left.|US dragoons charging Mexican infantry at the [[Battle of Resaca de la Palma]] in May 1846.]]

The 1st and 2nd Battalion, [[48th Infantry Regiment (United States)|48th Infantry]] were mechanized infantry units assigned to the [[3rd Armored Division (United States)|3rd Armored Division]] (3AD) in [[West Germany]] during the [[Cold War]]. The unit crest of the 48th Infantry designated the unit as Dragoons, purely a traditional designation.

The 1st Dragoons was reformed in the [[Vietnam War]] era as the [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry]]. It served in the [[Iraq War]] and remains as the oldest cavalry unit, as well as the most decorated one, in the U.S. Army. Today's modern 1–1 Cavalry is a scout/attack unit, equipped with [[MRAP]]s, [[Bradley Fighting Vehicle|M3A3 Bradley CFVs]], and [[Stryker]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/134457/planes_trains_and_ferries_11_cav_equipment_arrives_in_europe |title=1/1 CAV equipment arrives in Europe|date=25 September 2014 |publisher=army.mil}}</ref>

Another modern [[United States Army]] unit, informally known as the 2nd Dragoons, is the [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States)|2nd Cavalry Regiment]]. This unit was originally organized as the Second Regiment of Dragoons in 1836 and was renamed the Second Cavalry Regiment in 1861, being redesignated as the [[2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment]] in 1948. The regiment is currently equipped with the [[Stryker]] family of wheeled fighting vehicles and was redesignated as the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in 2006. In 2011 the 2nd Dragoon regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment has the distinction of being the longest continuously serving regiment in the United States Army.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://history.dragoons.org/2005/12/10/regimental-designations-and-deployments/ |title=Regimental Designations and Deployments &#124; 2d Dragoons |publisher=History.dragoons.org |access-date=9 April 2015 |archive-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728120746/http://history.dragoons.org/2005/12/10/regimental-designations-and-deployments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 113th Army Band at [[Fort Knox]] is also officially nicknamed as "The Dragoons". This derives from its formation as the Band, First Regiment of Dragoons on 8 July 1840.

Company D, [[3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion]] of the [[United States Marine Corps]], is nicknamed the "Dragoons". Their combat history includes service in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/Units/3DLARBN.aspx |title=1st Marine Division > Units > 3D LAR BN |publisher=1stmardiv.marines.mil |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Carabinier]]
* [[Cuirassier]]
* [[Gendarmerie]]
* [[Harquebusier]]
* [[Hobilar]]
* [[Hussar]]
* [[Motorized infantry]]
* [[Reiter]] – A type of pistol-armed cavalry
* [[Uhlan|Ulan]]

== Footnotes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited sources ==
* {{cite book|last=Barthorp|first=Michael|title=British Cavalry Uniforms Since 1660|year=1984|publisher=Littlehampton Book Services|isbn=978-0713710434}}
* {{cite book|last=Bismark |first=Graf Friedrich Wilhelm von |translator=[[North Ludlow Beamish]] |title=On the Uses and Application of Cavalry in War from the Text of Bismark: With Practical Examples Selected from Ancient and Modern History|publisher=T. & W. Boone |location=London |year=1855 |access-date=1 February 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s28DAAAAYAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last=Brzezinski|first=Richard|title=The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (2): Cavalry: Pt. 2 |series=Men-at-Arms) |publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=1993|isbn=978-1855323506}}
* {{cite book|last=Cann|first=Jonh P|title=Counterinsurgency in Africa: The Portuguese Way of War, 1961–1974|publisher=Praeger|year=1997|isbn=978-0313301896}}
* {{cite book|first=W. Y.|last=Carman|title=A Dictionary of Military Uniforms|publisher=HarperCollins Distribution Services|year=1977|isbn=0684151308}}
* {{cite book|last=Chartrand|title=Louis XIV's Army |series=Men-at-Arms No. 203 |year=1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-0850458503}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Ede-Borrett |first1=Stephen |title=Some Notes on the Raising and Origins of Colonel John Okey's Regiment of Dragoons, March to June, 1645 |journal=Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research |date=2009 |volume=87 |issue=351 |pages=206–213 |jstor=44231688}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Espino López |first1=Antonio|date=2012 |title=El uso táctico de las armas de fuego en las guerras civiles peruanas (1538–1547) |journal=Historica|language=es |volume=XXXVI |issue=2|pages=7–48|doi=10.18800/historica.201202.001|s2cid=258861207}}
* {{cite book|last=Haythornthwaite|first=Philip|title=Napoleonic Cavalry |series=Napoleonic weapons & warfare |year=2001 |publisher=W&N|isbn=978-0304355082}}
* {{cite book|last1=Heitman|first1=Francis B.|title=Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army|publisher=War Department|access-date=4 September 2014|year=1903|url=https://archive.org/details/historicalregist01heitrich}}
* {{cite book|first=Ulrich|last=Herr|title=The German Cavalry from 1871 to 1914|year=2006|publisher=Verlag Militaria|isbn=978-3902526076}}
* {{cite book|first=Andre|last=Jouineau|publisher=Amber Books Limited|title=Officers and Soldiers of the French Army 1914|year=2008|isbn=978-2352501046}}
* {{cite book|last=Kannik|first=Prebben|year=1968|title=Military Uniforms in Colour|publisher=Blandford Press|isbn=0713704829}}
* {{cite book|last=Knotel|first=Richard|title=Uniforms of the World: A Compendium of Army, Navy and Air Force Uniforms, 1700–1937|publisher=Arms & Armour Press|year=1980|isbn=978-0853683131}}
* {{cite book|first=Fedor von|last=Koppen|title=The Armies of Europe|date=1890|publisher=Naval & Military Press |edition=2015|isbn=978-1783311750}}
* {{cite book|first=James|last=Lucas|title=Fighting Troops of the Austro-Hungarian Army 1868–1914|publisher=Spellmount Publishers Ltd|year=1987|isbn=0946771049}} 
* {{cite book|last=Marrion|first=Richard|title=Uniforms of the Imperial German Army, 1900–14: Lancers and Dragoons v. 3 |publisher=Almark Publishing Co Ltd|year=1975|isbn=978-0855242015}}
* {{cite book|last=Mollo|first=John|title=Military Fashion: Comparative History of the Uniforms of the Great Armies from the 17th Century to the First World War|year=1972|publisher=Barrie & Jenkins|isbn=978-0214653490}}
* {{cite book|first=Darko|last=Pavlovic|title=The Austrian Army 1836–66 (2) Cavalry|date=1999|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1855328006}}
* {{cite book|last=Reid|first=Howard |title=Arthur the Dragon King: Man and myth reassessed |publisher=Headline Book Publishing|year=2001|isbn=978-0747275572}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Gunther E. Rothenberg |last=Rothenberg |first=Gunther Erich|title=The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon |location=Bloomington |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1978 |lccn=77086495|isbn= 0253310768 |access-date=1 February 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxqdnKQrAmEC&q=Rothenberg+Art+of+Warfare+in+the+Age+of+Napoleon}}
* {{cite book|last=Rowe |first=David|year=2004|title=Head dress of the British heavy cavalry: Dragoon Guards, Household and Yeomanry Cavalry |publisher=Schiffer Publishing|isbn=978-0764309571}}
* {{cite book|last1=Torres|first1=Carlos Canales|last2=Láinez|first2=Fernando Martínez|title=Banderas lejanas: la exploración, conquista y defensa por España del territorio de los actuales Estados Unidos|date=2008|publisher=Edaf|language=ES|isbn=978-8441421196}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Young |first1=Peter |author-link1=Peter Young (historian) |first2=Richard |last2=Holmes |author-link2=Richard Holmes (military historian) |title=The English Civil War: A Military History of the Three Civil Wars, 1642–1651 |location=Ware, Hertfordshire |publisher=Wordsworth Editions |year=2000 |isbn=1840222220}}

== Further reading ==
* Bennett, James A, Edited by Brooks, Clinton E., Reeve, Frank D. (1948).  ''Forts and Forays, James A. Bennett: A Dragoon in New Mexico 1850–1856.''  The University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.
* Hildreth, James (1836). ''Dragoon Campaigns to the Rocky Mountains, Being a History of the Enlistment, Organization, and first Campaigns of The Regiment Of United States Dragoons''. New York: Wiley & Long, No. D. Fanshaw, Printer.
** Note 1: Possibly from a previous writing, which resulted in a [[court martial]], in which he was [[acquitted]] (p.&nbsp;8), the author wished to remain [[Anonymity|anonymous]] and sometimes listed his name as "By A Dragoon" in lieu of his real name.
** Note 2: At the time of the author's enlistment in 1833, only one regiment of U.S. [[Dragoons]] ''existed'', therefore there was no need to designate it with a number. When two more mounted regiments were created by [[United States Congress|Congress]] in 1836, the Regiment of Dragoons became the 1st U.S. Dragoons.
* {{cite book |title=Cavalry Regiments in the U.S. Army |first=James A. |last=Sawicki |year=1985 | page=415 |publisher=Wyvern Publications |location=[[Dumfries, Virginia]] | lccn=85050072 | isbn=0-9602404-6-2}}

== External links ==
* [http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/French_Cavalry.html Napoleonic Cavalry: Dragoons, Cuirassiers]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051231192041/http://www.saskd.ca/opportunities.htm Saskatchewan Dragoons (Canada)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060214174228/http://www.bcdragoon.ca/ British Columbia Dragoons (Canada)]
* [http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-1CV.htm First Regiment of Cavalry (USA)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412113236/https://history.army.mil/books/R%26H/R%26H-1CV.htm |date=12 April 2021 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060105152729/http://www.militaryhorse.org/ The Society of the Military Horse]
* [http://repmariscalnieto.galeon.com/dragoons.html "Field Marshal Nieto" Regiment of Cavalry (Perú)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810211803/http://repmariscalnieto.galeon.com/dragoons.html |date=10 August 2019 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SWcVaqH9rA Perú 1970: Changing of the Dragoon Guard]
* [https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/Prussia/cavalry/c_prussiandragoons.html Prussian Dragoon Regiments in 1806 War with France, Battle of Jena/Auerstadt]
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[[Category:Cavalry]]
[[Category:Combat occupations]]
[[Category:Combat occupations of the late modern period]]
[[Category:Dragoons]]
[[Category:Infantry]]
[[Category:Military equestrianism]]
[[Category:Obsolete occupations]]