INFANTRY, in military affairs, the whole body of foot soldiers, whether consisting of independent companies or regiments. This word takes its origin from one of the in-
fantas of Spain, who, finding that the army commanded by the king her father had been defeated by the Moors, assembled a body of foot-soldiers, and with them engaged and totally routed the enemy. In memory of this event, and to distinguish the foot-soldiers, who were not before held in much consideration, they received the name of infantry.