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Spanish Line InfantryOrganisationIn 1802 the line infantry was organised into regiments of 3 battalions, the first and second battalions being field battalions and the third a depot battalion. The battalions each had 4 companies, the 1st battalion had two grenadier and two fusilier companies and the 2nd and 3rd battalions each had 4 fusilier companies. The regiments had a peace-time strength of 70 officers and 1,008 men which increased to 2,256 in times of war. However by 1808, all three battalions seem to have been used as field battalions. For example, 3rd battalions were included in La Romana's 1807 Expeditionary Force giving a regimental strength of over 2,000. In addition there were Foreign Line Infantry regiments which will be covered seperately. 1 May 1808On 1 May 1808 the line infantry consisted of 35 Spanish regiments, listed below showing their dates of creation:
In peacetime each regiment should have 70 officers, 1008 NCOs and men, and a small number of staff at battalion level. This would increase to 2256 NCOs and men when on a war footing, a situation in which, due to the War against England and Portugal, the entire Army found itself since 1805. Naturally, the reality was very different, and reports show that the average actual strength of a Regiment in May 1808 was 1338 men, varying from 778 in the Ordenes Militares Regiment to 2173 in the Asturias Regiment, and adding up to a total of 2450 officers and 44398 enlisted men. The 1st Battalion was commanded by the Colonel (Coronel) and included a a Major (Sargento Mayor note this is an officer and not an NCO as English speakers might expect), an Adjutant (Teniente Ayudante), a Standard Bearer (Abanderado) and staff of a Drum Major (Tambor Mayor), Chaplain, Surgeon, and Armorer. The 2nd Battalion was commanded by the Lieutenant Colonel (Teniente Coronel) and included an Adjutant (Teniente Ayudante), a Standard Bearer (Abanderado) and staff of a Chaplain, Surgeon, and Armorer. The 3rd Battalion was commanded by a Commandant (Comandante) and included an Adjutant (Teniente Ayudante), a Standard Bearer (Abanderado) and staff of a Chaplain, Surgeon, and Armorer. There was no actual rank of Cammandant in the Spanish army, and the positiuon was held by a Lieutenant Colonel. Each company was commanded by a Captain (Capitán) and included 2 Lieutenants (Tenientes), 2 Sub-Lieutenants (Subtenientes), 1 First Sergeant (Sargento 1º), 4 Second Sergeants (Sargentos 2º), 3 Drummers (tambores), 8 First Corporals (Cabos 1º), 8 Second Corporals (Cabos 2º) and 164 privates (only 60 privates in peacetime). In each company there were 8 chosen Skirmishers (Tiradores) trained to operate in front of the line. Since the 16th century, Spanish regiments had always included pioneer squads, tasked with leveling and clearing the terrain over which the rest of the regiment would pass. There was 1 Poineer Corporal (Cabo gastador) and 6 Poineers(Gastadores) in each battalion, being part of the first company. There was also a single battalion unit, el Batallón de Infantería de Canarias (1727), based initially in the Canary Islands which is sometimes included in the lists of line infantry. It was organized into a headquarters staff and 6 companies, including a grenadier company. It consisted of 33 officers and cadets, 37 sergeants, and 703 corporals and soldiers. Command was held by a colonel of the Royal Armies, and the unit was manned by soldiers selected every two years by lottery from the archipelago's militia regiments. 1808-1809In 1808 and 1809, hundreds of new regiments were raised all over Spain with varied organisations. One example is the Luarca infantry regiment. It was initially formed in June 1808 as a 1 battalion strong regiment with 400 men divided into 10 companies each of 40 men. By July 1808 it had grown to 659 men (694 including officers and NCOs). In September 1808, the Luarca Regiment was reorganized into two battalions of five companies each (including one of grenadiers). In October 1808 it consisted of 24 officers and 855 men. Each battalion of the Luarca infantry regiment had a Colonel in command (Lieutenant Colonel for the 2nd battalion) and a staff including a Standard Bearer, Drum Major and 6 Fifers. Each company of the Luarca infantry regiment had a Captain in command with 3 Lieutenants and 100 men including 21 NCOs and 2 Drummers. 1810The decree of July 1810 was intended to create order from what had become a chaotic situation. It stated that the regular infantry would consist of 8 Grenadier battalions and 121 regiments of Line Infantry. The Grenadier Battalions The Grenadier battalions were to have a strength of 681 men and were formed from what remained of the Provinsial Militia Grenadier battalions. The battalion was commanded by the Lieutenant Colonel (Teniente Coronel) and included a staff of a Major (Sargento Mayor note this is an officer and not an NCO as English speakers might expect), 2 Adjutant Lieutenants (Teniente Ayudante), Standard Bearer (Abanderado) and a Drum Major (Tambor Mayor). The battalion have 5 companies, 4 of Grenadiers and one of Light Infantry. Each company was commanded by a Captain and included 2 Lieutenants, 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 3 Drummers, 12 Corporals and 111 Privates. The Line Infantry As previously the Line Infantry were organised into 3 battalions each of 6 companies. There would be one Grenadier, one Light (Cazador) and four Fusilier companies. The regiment should be 2,554 men strong, but the reality was very different and this strength was not achieved on campaign. The 1st Battalion was commanded by the Colonel (Coronel) and included a staff of a Major (Sargento Mayor note this is an officer and not an NCO as English speakers might expect), Adjutant Lieutenant (Teniente Ayudante), Standard Bearer (Abanderado) and a Drum Major (Tambor Mayor) . The 2nd Battalion was commanded by the Lieutenant Colonel (Teniente Coronel) and included a staff of an Adjutant Lieutenant and Standard Bearer. The 3rd Battalion was commanded by a Commandant (Comandante) and included a staff of an Adjutant Lieutenant and Standard Bearer. There was no actual rank of Cammandant in the Spanish army, and the positiuon was held by a Lieutenant Colonel. The Grenadier company was commanded by a Captain (Capitán) and included 2 Lieutenants (Tenientes), 1 Sub-Lieutenant (Subteniente), 4 Sergeants (Sargentos), 2 Drummers (Tambores), 2 Fifers (Pifanos), 10 Corporals (Cabos) and 91 Grenadiers. Attached to the grenadier company, were 7 pioneers (gastadores) including a corporal. The Light (Cazador) company was commanded by a Captain and included 2 Lieutenants, 1 Sub-Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 10 Corporals and 85 Privates. The Fusilier company was commanded by a Captain and included 2 Lieutenants, 2 Sub-Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants, 3 Drummers, 16 Corporals and 136 Privates. 1811In October 1811, 2 Buglers (Cornetas) replaced 2 Drummers in each light company. They were equipped with British style bugles. 1812The previous reorganisation was still too optimistic, and a new organisation was decreed in March 1812 which acknowledged the true situiation. Each regiment was to consist of just one battalion consisting of 8 companies, only in exceptional situations could a second battalion be formed. There would be one Grenadier, one Light (Cazador) and six Fusilier companies. The Regiment was commanded by either a Colonel or a Lieutenant Colonel and included a staff of 2 Majors, an Adjutant Lieutenant, a Standard Bearer, 2 Sergeant-Majors and a Drum Major. Each company was commanded by a Captain and included 2 Lieutenants, 2 Sub-Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants, 3 Drummers, 16 Corporals and 96 Privates. Fusilier companies had 3 drummers, light infantry companies 3 buglers, and grenadier companies 2 drummers and a fifer. Attached to the grenadier company were 7 pioneers (gastadores) including a corporal. Uniforms1802In 1802 a blue uniform was decreed being the same for all line infantry units, and most unit had received it by the following year. This uniform was still worn by a number (probably 12) of line infanty units in May 1808. The blue colour is normally descibed as a rather dark sky blue, but the exact shade is uncertain. It was said to be Godoy's favourite colour. It consisted of a blue coat and cuff flaps with black squared lapels, collar and cuffs. It had red turnbacks and piping. All units had brass buttons with the regimental identification. There was a yellow fleur-de-lis emblem on the collar. The waistcoat was white piped red, the breeches were white and the gaiters were black. The headgear was a black felt bicorne with the red Spanish cockade and red plume. Officers: had a uniform of the same style as that of the private but better quality, worn with gold epaulettes, braid and buttons. Officers often wore hessian boots; their bicornes had gold tassels and were taller than those of their men. Grenadiers: wore the same basic uniform as the privates. They wore a bearskin grenadier cap with a red silk flame. They carried a short sabre and had a brass grenade on their cartridge case. Mustaches were mandatory. Pioneers: wore the same basic uniform as the grenadiers. They wore a leather apron which could be buff, brown or black. They wore a bearskin cap, a model different from the grenadiers, in that it had a large brass front plate. Mustaches were mandatory and beards very common. They were equipped with some sort of entrenching tool, an axe or a spade. Drummers: wore the same uniform as the privates but with red facings, piped with red and white Royal Household lace and white gaiters. There is no concrete information regarding the color of the drum shells; they could be made of wood with painted coats of arms or, as Suhr illustrates, of brass with colored hoops. Drum Maajor: had a uniform of the same style as that of the sergeants with black facings, red piping, a gold epaulette on left shoulder and a wide crimson sash adorned with lavish gold embroidery over the right shoulder. They wore hessian boots or white gaiters with black shoes. They carried a brown staff with silver knob.
1805On 15 April 1805, it was decreed that white uniform with traditional regimental facings would be restored. By the start of the war in 1808, not all battalions had received the 1805 uniforms and a few were still wearing the 1802 style uniforms. The 1805 line infantry uniform was a whitelong-tailed coat. The collar, cuffs, turnbacks and piping were in the individual regimental colour. Buttons were brass or white metal (pewter). The waistcoat and breeches were white and the gaiters were black. The headgear was a black felt bicorne with the red Spanish cockade and red plume. A white forage cap was also issued with piping in the facing colour. In the field the white breeches could be replaced by trousers, often in the ubiquitous Spanish brown cloth, but blue and white checked was also popular. Sergeants: Throughout the period, sergeants wore the same uniform as the rank and file distinguished by worsted fringed epaulettes in facing colour; two for the first sergeant and one on the right shoulder for the second sergeants. They had a short sword but were otherwise armed with musket and bayonet, unlike the English army where 7-foot pikes (aka halberd) were still in use. Officers: The officiers' uniform was that of the private but with longer tails and better quality, worn with epaulettes and buttons in gold or silver depending on button colour. They wore white breeches and short walking boots or cuffed boots. Black gaiters were regulation for parades, just as for the troops, but not for field service. Their headgear was a bicorne, somewhat larger than that of their men, with a red plume above the Spanish red cockade. A gold gorget was worn in full dress on parade. Officers could carry either a straight sword or curved sabre. Grenadier officers preferred a curved sabre with a basket hilt. Grenadiers: wore the same basic uniform as the privates. They wore a bearskin grenadier cap with a silk flame in facing colour adorned with the regimental crest and intricate embroidery that varied by regiment. A white forage cap was also issued with piping in the facing colour and a grenade emblem on the front in white. They carried a short sabre, had a brass grenade on their cartridge case and braid loops (sardinetas) adorning their cuffs A brass match case was worn on the cross belt, it could hold a slow match and was a relic from the times when grenadiers actually through grenades. Mustaches were mandatory. Pioneers: wore the same basic uniform as the grenadiers. They wore a leather apron which could be buff, brown or black. They wore a bearskin cap, a model different from the grenadiers, in that it had a large brass or silver front plate. Mustaches were mandatory and beards very common. They were equipped with some sort of entrenching tool, an axe or a spade. Drum Maajor: had a uniform of the same style as that of the sergeants but in dark blue with red facings, piped with red and white Royal Household lace, and epaulettes in gold or silver depending on button colour. They wore hessian boots or white gaiters with black shoes. They had a wide crimson sash over the right shoulder, adorned with lavish embroidery in gold or silver depending on button colour. They carried a brown staff with silver knob. According to Giménez and González, Drum Majors wore sergeant's uniforms trimmed with royal livery braid along the edges and seams; however Suhr shows Drum Majors in uniform colors that differ from those of the regiment. Drummers: Drummers wore the same uniform as that of the private but piped with red and white Royal Household lace. There is no concrete information regarding the color of the drum shells; they could be made of wood with painted coats of arms or, as Suhr illustrates, of brass with colored hoops. Alternative Drummers: some authors suggest that drummers wore a dark blue coat with red facings, like that of the 1802 line infantry (instead of that of their privates) and piped with red and white Royal Household lace. This would match the uniform of the drum major. Musicians: It appears there was no standard regulation regarding the uniforms of each regiment's musicians; likely, as was the custom of the time, each colonel outfitted them according to his own taste—with varying degrees of opulence depending on the state of the regimental coffers or his own personal means. One illustration shows a musician from the Zamora regiment in a coat the same cut as the infantry, but in red with black facings piped white and a bicorne with a white plume above the red Spanish cockade. Another illustration shows a musician from la Princesa regiment wearing a red hussar style uniform topped with a busby/colpack.
1808-1809In his memoir, the Marquis of Amarillas decribes how the new recruits of the line regiments of the Army of Andalusia were equipped before Bailén. The regiments were originally understrength, and had been filled up with new recruits. The veterans kept their full-dress uniform coat and bicorne and their barracks uniform jackets and forage caps were given to the new recruits. In July 1809, before the Battle of Talavera, an English officer on Wellington's staff said: "The white Bourbon uniform had entirely disappeared and circumstances and economy had changed the colour of the principal part of the infantry into a deep chocolate." By 1809 the white uniforms were often being replaced with uniforms made from local brown cloth. In Asturia, the newly formed Luarca Regiment is an example of this. Shortly after the regiment's formation, the members of the Luarca Regiment were supplied with various items of clothing made locally. Their uniform consisted of a short brown cloth coat, with a crimson collar, cuffs, and other embellishments as well as unbleached linen trousers. They wore black round hats and also had forage caps made from the same brown cloth as their uniform.
1811On 12 December 1811, new uniform regulations were issued, aiming to re-establish the principle of uniformity within the infantry. Both line and light infantry were to have uniforms of the same cut. The regulation stated: For line troops: Short coat without lapels, buttoned at the front; loose trousers and half-gaiters made of sky-blue cloth; scarlet cuffs, collar, and lining, with gold-colored buttons and a white sleeved waistcoat. The colour of the short coats is not clearly specified; while it might be interpreted as sky-blue we know from the 1805 uniforms that sky-blue can be quite dark. There was both Dark Blue and Light Blue uniforms. The dark blue were in the majority, and Wellington had these shipped to units in the North of Spain. The light blue uniforms went to units in the South of Spain via Cadiz. We know from the memoirs of a British general that, at the Battle of Vitoria, Spanish troops wore dark blue; consequently, Wellington ordered them to wear a white armband so they would not be mistaken for the French, who were also dressed in blue. The infantry had a short single-breasted coat worn with shako, trousers and short gaiters underneath the trousers. The coat was blue and had collar and cuffs in red, red turnbacks and brass metal buttons. Trouser were blue. The shako was a truncated cone shape with a small "tuft" plume above the Spanish red cockade, the same model shako as worn by the British light and rifle regiments. Some shakos were plain and some were adorned with lace. Fusilier: Fusilier companies had shakos with a white tuft, white shako lace and a brass rampant lion shako plate. Grenadier: Grenadier companies had shakos with a red tuft, red shako lace and a brass grenade shako plate. They were distinguished by wings in the British fashion with red fringes. They carried a grenadier sabre and had a brass grenade emblem on their cartridge case. Cazador: Light companies had shakos with a green tuft, green shako lace and a brass bugle horn shako plate. They were distinguished by wings in the British fashion with green fringes. Officers: The officiers' uniform was that of the private but better quality, worn with epaulettes and buttons in gold and a gilt gorget. They wore white breeches and boots, replaced by trousers of coat colour or grey on campaign. They could wear a shako with the same colour lace as their company or with gold lace with the company colour tuft. Instaed of the shako, their headgear could be the bicorne with a company colour plume above the Spanish red cockade. One of the reasons for the regimental officers' bicorne going out of fashion in the field, was that it made it easy for enemy sharpshooters to target officers with more than their fair share of bullets. By 1811 the wearing of a bicorne by a regimental officer was so rare that doing so cause it to be remaked upon in memoirs. Sergeants: Sergeant insignia consisted of two silk epaulettes in red for the first sergeant, and a single one on the right shoulder for second sergeants, who wore a capona (a smaller, simpler shoulder ornament) on the left. Like the grenadiers, they carried a grenadier sabre. Drummers: Drummers wore the same as that of the private but piped with red and white Royal Household lace.
FlagsPrior to 1802 a battalion carried two 1762 pattern colours: one Coronela and and one Sencilla. The Coronela had the royal coat of arms on a field of white, usually with the regimental coats of arms in its four corners. The obverse (or front, when the stave is to the left) had the royal coat of arms shown normally while the reverse (or rear, when the stave is to the right) had the royal coat of arms reversed. The Sencilla had the red cross of Burgundy on a field of white with the regimental coats of arms at the en of each arm of the cross. The ribbons (corbatas) that typically adorned the flags were usually a deep crimson-red, and the flagpole might be covered in crimson velvet and gold. The Royal Decree of 1802 set the number of flags to one per infantry battalion. From that time on, the 1st battalions carried a Coronela and the 2nd & 3rd battalions carried a Sencilla. The excess colours were often placed in storage in churches. It was common practice for newly formed units to do one of the following:
A new infantry organisation was decreed in March 1812, each regiment was to consist of just one battalion and this battalion would carry the regiment's Coronela. A new 1812 pattern colour was created which combined the royal coat of arms of the Coronela on top of the red cross of Burgundy of the Sencilla. This was not issued immediately but as the war progressed the old flags needed to be renewed.
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