Skirmisher Facts for Kids

A skirmisher is a type of soldier. They are usually sent ahead of the main group of troops. Their job is to bother or distract the enemy. Skirmishers can also be placed on the sides, called the flanks, of an army. This helps prevent a surprise attack.

The word skirmish was first used in the 14th century. It meant a small fight between two opposing groups. It also described a small battle involving troops in front of the main army. Skirmishers were the soldiers involved in these smaller fights. The word comes from the Old French word eskirmir, meaning "to defend". Skirmishers were often infantry (foot soldiers) or cavalry (soldiers on horseback). They would form a line, called a skirmish line, ahead of or next to their friendly troops.

History
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History

Early American Fighting

Two important conflicts in the American Colonies helped develop skirmisher tactics. These were the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War) and the American Revolutionary War. Many of the ideas for skirmisher tactics came from Native American warriors. These warriors often fought alongside the English and French.

Native American warriors did not fight in the European style. European armies used soldiers packed closely together in large formations. Instead, Native Americans often fought as individuals. They used natural cover like trees and rocks. They also used surprise attacks, called ambushes. Their lines of fighters, spread out, were an early form of what would later be called skirmishing.

Napoleonic Wars

During the time of the Napoleonic Wars, military leaders had specific ways of fighting. Heavy cavalry, which were soldiers on large horses, were usually kept in reserve. This meant they were held back for important moments.

Light cavalry, who rode faster, lighter horses, were often used as skirmishers. They were usually placed on the sides of an army. They had two main jobs. When in "skirmish order," they would be some distance from the main army. This way, they could warn the commander if any enemy soldiers were coming from that direction. Their other job was to use their quick speed to engage the enemy. They would hold the enemy in place until more friendly forces arrived. Just by being there, they made it harder for the enemy to attack the army's sides.

American Civil War

During the American Civil War, military training books paid a lot of attention to skirmishing. These tactics were based on how Napoleon used skirmishers a lot during the Napoleonic Wars.

Many paintings and pictures of Civil War battles show two lines of soldiers. They stand shoulder to shoulder, firing at enemy lines from short distances. However, large groups of soldiers fighting closely together were not used very often during the Civil War. Instead, small fights and skirmish lines were more common.

The land itself often made it hard for large armies to form up. But it was good for skirmishers to fight in open, spread-out groups. Guns called rifles and rifled muskets became much more accurate. They could shoot well over longer distances. This meant battles did not need to be fought at close range anymore. Fights that used to happen at about 100 yards could now happen at 400 yards.

Training before the war also changed how skirmishers fought. Before, only one company (a small group of soldiers) out of ten might be trained as skirmishers. Now, entire Regiments (much larger groups) learned how to fight as skirmishers. They fought in small groups called "comrades in battle." This meant four men would move and fight together, supporting each other. The Confederate Army actually used skirmishers even more effectively. Each brigade (a large military unit) had a special group of very good shooters, called sharpshooters. These sharpshooters were used as skirmishers.

Plains Indian Wars

During the Plains Indian Wars, especially after the Civil War, the US Army used companies of skirmishers. They would go ahead of the main army. The suggested distance between these skirmishers was about 5 yards. But most commanders just kept them close enough to see each other.

Skirmishers were mainly used in front of the main force. However, they could also be used to protect the sides or the back of the army (called the rearguard). If Native American warriors attacked, the skirmisher company would form a defensive circle. Once the danger passed, they would go back to their original positions. Often, not every soldier in the company was sent out as a skirmisher. Some were kept in reserve. These soldiers could fill gaps in the line, get more ammunition (bullets), or carry messages.

Images for kids

Skirmish line at Fort Slocum around 1910–1915
Austrian pandur, around 1760, using a tree for cover while skirmishing
Like most modern foot soldiers, the US 6th Marine Regiment, on patrol near Marjah, 2010, often uses skirmish formation.
An Agrianian peltast holding three javelins, one in his throwing hand and two in his pelte hand as extra ammunition
Slinger from the Balearic islands, famous for their skill with slings
Austrian Jäger around 1800, showing the plain uniforms of soldiers who specialized in skirmishing during Napoleonic times. This helped them use cover.
Modern reconnaissance vehicles can do skirmishing jobs. Here, members of the British 4 Mechanised Brigade, Brigade Reconnaissance Force, are on Jackals. This was during a training exercise in Jordan, getting ready for deployment to Afghanistan in 2009.

Skirmisher facts for kids

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