Voltigeurs

soldiers in the French light infantry in the 19th century. The voltigeurs were introduced in France in 1804 when Napoleon I lowered the height requirement to increase the strength of the army at the time of conscription; this permitted him to increase the call-up of young men by 40,000. Voltigeur companies, battalions, and regiments were formed from these conscripts. The voltigeurs were armed with lightened rifles and sabers. A voltigeur had to be able to mount a horse in one leap, landing behind the cavalryman; he was also required to be a good reconnaissance scout and rifleman. The voltigeurs were abolished in 1871.