CHASSEURS (Fr., hunters) is a name used for two important forces in the French army. The mounted C. (chasseurs-d-cheval) are a body of light cavalry, designed for service in advance or on the flanks of the army, and correspond most nearly to the light horse of the British service. The name is first used in this sense in 1741, and has been retained while the force it denotes has undergone many alterations in organization and equip ment. In 1831, a body of cavalry was raised for service in Africa, mounted on Arab horses, and with a distinct uniform. These have since become famous as the C. d' Afrique. After the reorganization of the French army in 1873, the effective army con tained 14 regiments (subsequently increased to 20) of sehasseursa-cheval, besides 4 regi respects C. d'Afrique. —The infantry C. (chasseurs-d-pied)are a light infantry force in many ments of corresponding with the cavalry C., and like them intended for detached service (like the rifle corps in the English army). The French are believed to have adopted the idea of such a force of sharpshooters from the Jager (the German word corresponding to C. or hunters) in the German armies. First used in the thirty years' war, the ager
derived their name from the fact that they were chiefly drafted from amongst moun taineers and inhabitants of forest regions. They have always been regarded as a valuable contingent iu the Prussian and Austrian armies, or even constitute the entire force of light infantry. In the German army, there are 26 battalions (near 15,000 men) of this force; in the Austrian service, upwards of 20,000 officers and men. In France, the equipment of the C. differed little from that of the other infantry; it was not until the formation, in 1838, of the C. de Vincennes, that the experiment of a specially armed force of sharpshooters was fairly tried. The fame of the C. de Vin cennes for rapidity and precision of movement, as well as for the accuracy of their fire, soon vindicated the importance of this branch of the infantry; and at present there are 30 battalions of chasseursil-pied in the French army.