Part 1

In Napoleonic Notes & Queries 1, I described the events culminating in the defeat of the British in 1807 by the forces of the Spanish colonists of the Viceroyalty de la Plata, now called Argentina. In this second and final part, details of the Viceroyalty uniforms are shown with the aid of drawings by D. Smith (S&CAMHS).

Wargaming the Campaign

If you are already a Napoleonic 'buff then some of your exisdng units could be substrituted for 'one-off' battles. If you would like to paint a few units then the following will be of help. I have no intention of covering the British uniforms as such information is readily available in such publications as Osprey's MAA series, Hawthornthwaite's "Wellington's War Machine" and the ever helpful Blandford series, plus many others.

The range of figures available, at least in 16mm scale, is vast and largely a matter of personal taste. However, I would strongly recommend Two Dragoons Productions' 'Early Colonial' range. This covers early British Napoleonic styles which provide ample scope for conversion to Viceroyalty troops.

Viceroyalty Units and Uniforms

There are many small errors and contradictory illustrations shown in existing Spanish and Argentine sources, but the general overview provided does give the average wargamer enough to work on and, if truth be told, are probably more accurate than some military illustrations uxd by the hobby in popular publications at times!

In general, the Viceroyalty troops followed the European uniform patterns of the day and can be assumed, at least for our purposes, to have used similar rank insignia, ie: epaulettes and waist sashes (although many private soldiers seemed to have worn waist sashes). Hair was cut, short sword and sabre knots were yellow or golden coloured, cavalry headgear was sometimes a little unusual - some are recorded as having worn highlander feather bonnets, which may not be that inaccurate due to the surrender of the 71st (Highland) Foot.

Except where stated, the uniform colours are: coats of dark blue with belts and breeches of white. Other ranks wore short black gaiters over black shoes and officen have hussar style half-boots with gold or silver trimming at the top. Officers' satire/sword scabbards were black with gilt fittings. Headgear was black with a red cockade on the left with a plume in the regimental colour. Button colours are not shown in the majority of cases.

Uniforms of the Viceroyalty de la Plata

I have not listed all the units in the Viceroyalty order of battle, only those where sufficient information is available to model such units. Unfortunately I have no information on standards and unit flags apart from one unit. I suggest contemporary Spanish standards for line troops (see p.100 "Flags & Standards of the Napoleonic Wars" by K. Over, Bivouac Books 1976).

Officer Battalion Montaneses (251 men Castilla) Red plume with white tip, red facing and turnback. Standard infantry coloured coats and breeches.	Private Battalion Gallegos (510 men Galicia) Dark blue plume with red tip. Yellow facings and turnback. Standard infantry coloured coat and breeches, white crossbelt, black cartridge box and bayonet scabbard.	Private Spanish Marines Regular Spanish marine dressed in all white coat and breeches. Facing colour not known to me. Spanish white uniforms changed in Europe in 1806 but probably would not have reached the colonies for this campaign. Black cartridge box and short sword and bayonet scabbard.
Officer 1st Sqdn Hussars "de Pueyeddon" (202 men Buenos Aires) Black shako with red cockade and plume. Dark blue Dolman and breeches, red facings, white lace and buttons. Black scabbard with gilt fittings. Horse furniture black, dark blue shabraque edged white with white corner tassles.	Foot Artillery A) Black leather helmet, red cockade, brass front plate, black crest. Dark blue coat and trousers with red facings. White sash with yellow central stripe, gold cuff edging and epaulettes for officers. Black bandolier and sabre slings. B) Regular Spanish artillery officer. Not known if similar colours as above or as regular Spanish forces in Europe.	Volunteers Cavalry of Paraguay (530 troopers Paraguay) In an act of solidarity from one colony to another, Paraguay sent troops to assist. Short blue jackets with red facings. White lace and sillver buttons, breeches of buff cotton. Armed with carbines.
Private Legion Patricios (1,359 men in three battalions) One of the best looking regiments in the province. It also fought well and was noted for their bravery by British officers in 1807. 1st Battalion came from Potosi and the 2nd and 3rd from Buenos Aires. White plume with red cockade edged white. Red facings. Buttons yellow or gold and on the left skeve a round red cloth badge was worn with "Buenos Aires" sewn in yellow surrounded by laurels in the same colour thread. Red sash worn by officers over left shoulder and around the waist. Other ranks wore red sashes around their waists, knots on the left. White breeches, black gaiters and shoes, half boots for officers.	Officer Battalion Migueletes (193 men Buenos Aires) One of the units dressed in captured British uniforms, in this case the 71st Foot but with lace removed. Dressed in infantry pattern but served as cavalry. Red coat, yellow facings and waist sash, buff breeches, yellow plume with red tip. Dark blue shabraque edged with white. Black horse furniture and scabbard with gilt fittings. Carbine shoulder belt edged in white.	Officer Battalion Granderos (104 men) Black bearskin caps, red plume and facings, gold buttons all ranks and gold epaulettes for officers. Gilt crescent plate at cap base. White gaiters other ranks, black boots officers.
Veteran Corps. of Blandengues of the Frontier of Montevideo Tough frontiersmen and hard riding men formed this unit. Old tailcoats often worn cut-down and dyed blue. Red facings and waistcoat, red trousers and white buttons. Hats of straw or black felt worn with white colors. The 'botas de potro' or gauchos boots were worn. Armed with lances, swords and pistols.	Company Volunteers of Montevideo Formed originally of 50 men by Mateo Magarinos, the Volunteers wore sealion skin hats with a gold coat of arms badge engraved with green lettm 'VCM'. Short whiteponcho with green facings, white breeches and high leather boots with spurs. Armed with carbines, sabres, pistols, and daggers in their boot. A white flag with Spanish arms on one side and those of Montevideo on the other was carried.	-