Napoleon first conceived of the dismounted dragoons during the Channel Encampments, when planning for the invasion of England. The dismounted dragoons would be part of the invasion force, and would find horses upon arrival - the naval transportation requirmenets for horses was simply too daunting. Until dismounted dragoons served as infantry with the Grande Armee in 1805, as the army abruptly left the coast for war with Austria and Russia. General de division Baraguey d'Hilliers led the dragons a pied. He had been tasked with training the foot dragoons for dismounted combat. Historian John Elting relates a colorful story of Baraguey d'Hilliers and his dragoons:

"This Baraguey was a cavalryman of enthusiasm, courage and presence, decent enough but lacking in common sense. Army gossip was that when he put the dragoons through dismounted drill, he assured them that no cavalry could break them; when he drilled them mounted, he proclaimed that no infantry could withstand them. Both veterans and recruits were somewhat confused."

Barguey d'Hilliers's division was assigned to defind the army's baggage and artillery train. These troopers saw limited action at Haslach-Jungingen in October 1805, as they were called upon to assist General Dupont's isolated and outnumbered forces. While the day was a French success (thanks in large part to the 9th Legere), some embarrassment occurred when the Austrians overran Dupont's baggage train, and the dragoons were unable to defind it. Dupont savaged the dragoons and their general in his report, adding a great deal of discredit to the dragons a pied. By the 1806 campaign, however, about half of the foot dragoons had been re-mounted, and the remainder guarded the trains again, until nearly all found horses in the aftermath of Jena-Auerstadt.

The uniforms and equipment of the dragoons reflect their versatility. The brass helmet is in the style of the heavy cavalry, yet the green coat is the traditional color of light cavalry and infantry. The dragoons depicted here are performing skirmish duty, fighting as infantry and carrying the regulation dragoon musket. Note also that the foot dragoons are wearing infantry and carrying the regulation dragoon musket. Note also that the foot dragoons are wearing infantry footgear and gaiter, rather than cavalry boots, and they are equipped with the infantryman's backpack, all details appropriate for dismounted service.