Dismounted Dragoons as Independent Infantry Companies

A random thought but has anyone tried using dragoons in a dismounted role as 'normal' infantry, as small garrisons for example?

When I previously played Denmark, a problem was I had a number of small overseas colonies and outposts. They did need garrisons, even if mostly token ones, and due to their size (and Denmark's small recruit base and difficulties in obtaining a realiable supply of extra recruits), stationing say a full infantry battalion would mean the garrison was almost as large as the outpost's population (if not larger) and was a struggle to justify.

Of course, just having a dragoon squadron there would solve the problem but I seem to recall in the rules that dragoons can act both as infantry or cavalry but are not as good as either, and there are times I think when you can want a 'proper' infantry garrison, if a small one, rather than a dragoon squadron.

The other time you could end up with wanting to have a 'dragoon squadron' as an infantry force would be if you wanted to create an elite infantry unit but didn't want it to be a full battalion (or if you have a small nation, you might not have the recruits to raise a full battalion).

Any thoughts

One of the problems is equipment. Cavalry boots are not good for marching around in. Plus the sword gets tangled up in there legs when they start to run. Also most of the Dragoons equipment is carried on his horse as they usually have no knapsacks or shoulder bags. Which makes them loath to leave there horses behind.

If they are armed with carbines then they have less range than a muske, if they are armed with mustets then there is the stowage problem when they are mounted.

It is probably best to use them as a cheaper battle field cavalry arm.

In theory they would seem the best of both worlds a mobile infantry arm ready to respond to battlefield situations as they arise. Practice may be a little differant.

Maybe using them as Garrisons would work so long as they are either defending stockades or on mounted patrols, but moving on foot in the open may give them some problems.

RKL-yes, I agree on the costs however, using the Denmark example, if you have a small recruit base (it was less than 4,000 a year) it may not be viable to have a full battalion in each of the colonies (esp in the case of Denmark's, in most the population was 500-1,000 people). However it was not a poor country (though not rich by any means), it could afford the relative high costs of using individual dragoon squadrons (mounted or dismounted) as garrisons in multiple locations.

Other Jason I did wonder about uniforms and weapons. I guess in theory they could be rearmed and given new uniforms? But would they also need redrilling or something? The cost could be high but in the example of Denmark in G3, it could afford that extra cost to a reasonable degree.

I also do wonder about this idea as a way of raising small elite units? Historically a lot of nations did seem to only have small foot guard units
(company sized rather than elite) and if you were trying to raise a vaguely historical army in-game, it might be tempting. Again, I guess rearming and new uniforms would be required...

Another option for small recruit base nations like Denmark is to raise native troops to defend colonies, perhaps with European officers.

I was imaging small colonies with no more defences than a stockade or small fort, RKL. The idea of selling off the small colonies is an interesting one, though in the case of Denmark, all the colonies were small and I have to be honest, I did like having a few colonies so wasn't happy to sell (despite offers).

That is a good point on elite artillery and I have had the same thought myself over the years. I'm afraid I've no idea idea of the ratio of elite:normal. I do tend to keep the numbers small (I often look at the national historical numbers if they exist).

Ardagor-in the Denmark case, I did try the local recruitment option but for some reason, I had great problems in attracting recruits that way either, even tried upping the recruitment bounties a couple of times to no effect.

Reference Elite Artillery, it can be raised; in the fourth addition rules in the army shopping list it says "To convert any land-based unit to elite costs 10,000 regardless of unit type, taking 3 months " there is then no mention of upkeep costs so I am not sure how much it would cost to upkeep.

I wonder, were there any 'elite' artillery in Glory's time? Off the top of my head, I can't think of any earlier than Napoleon's Guard Artillery

I believe that artillery and logistics was rather the ugly ducklings of the armed service at this time. Artillery officers needed some sort of education, probably as an apprentice at this time lasting years. Few if any nobles would sink so low that they would get a "craftsman" education so most artillery officers would be commoners.
So status was low, perhaps that is the reason for not having elite units.

I took over the UDP in one game for a while, there were elite artillery unit son the Orbat, although these were raised by the previous player. I have never raised them myself in Game.

As regards Elite artillery, some people would judge the Horse artillery as being of a higher quality than Foot artillery.

Much of the logistic side of military life was still run by civilain contracters in this period. They were looked down upon by the military.

Also recognised by almost everyone as corrupt,& inept.

Anyone raised a Royal Catering Corps yet?