Bersaglieri

Bersaglieri, so named from the Italian bersaglio, aim, or target, are the riflemen or sharpshooters of the Italian army. They were organised by General de la Marmora upon the model of the French chasseurs-a-pied, and they now number twelve regiments, each of three battalions of four companies, with a depot, and with a total normal strength of about 42,000 men. In war-time, this, by the addition of the militia, may be increased to 106,000. The Bersaglieri are distinguished by wearing a soft felt hat decorated with a voluminous plume of cock's feathers.