The Forces of
King Charles III

Light Infantry and Provincial Militia

By Danny O'Hara


Light Infantry

In August 1735, the highly effective battalions of Fusileros de Montana light infantry were formed from mountain hunters and similar. Dressed in a "mountaineer" style, with baggy trousers and a cape, they were able to operate well in rough terrain. During the large-scale reorganisations of 1748 these were renamed as the Regimiento de Migueletes Catalans, but were still a form of freicorps.

The Fusileros wore a red short-coat with blue trousers and cape, and a tricorne without lace or cockade. They had a distinctive pistol belt (escarpa). This uniform probably survived until 1762, after which a yellow coat and standard infantry tricorne was introduced for the reorganised light infantry.

Provincial Militia

The Provincial Militia were formed by Philip V in 1704, but not fully organized until 1734. This system lasted until Charles III's reforms of 1766, and so was in use during the SYW period.

There were 33 Militia Regiments, each with a single battalion comprising 7 companies of 100 men. All of the men were recruited in the area after which the Regiment was named., or else in the area which they garrisoned.

In 1735, an Ordnance gave the names and stations of the Militia Regiments (see below), and in the same year they were authorized to set up Grenadier companies (one per Regiment) with: 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, I sub lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 1 drummer, 6 corporals, 4 lance-corporals, and 90 grenadiers. The Militia were supposed "whenever possible" to follow the regulations and discipline of the Line Infantry, and to provide a pool of part-trained replacements for the regulars.

The uniform jacket and trousers are in a dark blue-gray, with light blue-gray turnbacks. Stockings are white, and equipment is in natural leather. The collar, cuffs and waistcoat are in Regimental colours (see below), and the hat is a black tricorne with yellow lace and no cockade.

RegimentStationColour
JaenKingdom of JaenBlue
BadajozExtremaduraRed
SevillaSevilleRed
BurgosBurgos & ArandaRed
LugoKingdom of GaliciaYellow
GranadaKingdom of GranadaGreen
LeonKingdom of LeonGreen
OviedoPrincipality of AsturiasBlue
CordobaCordobaGreen
MurciaMurciaRed
TrujilloExtremaduraBlue
JerezJerez de la FronteraRed
CarmonaSevilleGreen
NieblaCounty of NieblaYellow
EcijaSevilleBlue
Ciudad RodrigoPlasencia & Ciudad RodrigoRed
PalenciaPalenciaGreen
LogroroLogrono & StDomingo de la CalzadaGreen
SiguenzaSiguenzaYellow
ZamoraZamora & ToroBlue
SoriaSoria & AgredaBlue
SantanderSantanderYellow
OrenseKingdom of GaliciaYellow
SantiagoKingdom of GaliciaRed
PontevedraKingdom of GaliciaBlue
TuyKingdom of GaliciaRed
BetanzosKingdom of GaliciaGreen
AntequeraKingdom of GranadaRed
MalagaKingdom of GranadaGreen
GuadixKingdom of GranadaYellow
RondaKingdom of GranadaYellow
AlpujarrasKingdom of GranadaBlue
BujalanceCordobaYellow

The Forces of King Charles III

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© Copyright 2001 by James J. Mitchell

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