Light cavalry were primarily used for scouting, skirmishing and screening against enemy scouts and skirmishers. The Numidian cavalry was a light cavalry usually operating as skirmishers. Light cavalry was used as scouts, skirmishers or outflankers. Auxiliaries, local irregular troops, would fulfill other roles, serving as archers, skirmishers and cavalry. But now each regiment was supported by a detachment of light infantry skirmishers. Lightly equipped velites acted as skirmishers armed with light javelins. Rifled flintlocks saw most military use by sharpshooters, skirmishers, and other support units. Line infantry provided an 'anchor' for skirmishers and cavalry to retreat to if threatened. The Theban center and right were held back, screened by skirmishers and cavalry. A small number of the infantry served as javelin-armed skirmishers. They also were driven back by the Confederate skirmishers and artillery. Supporting the skirmishers was the French artillery. Light-combat dragons are little larger and act as skirmishers and flank attackers against enemy formations. The Baltimore artillery had solid shot only, which was of little use against scattered skirmishers. The medieval skirmishers were generally armed with crossbows or longbows wielded largely by commoners.