Secretaria de Estado
y del Despacho

Guerra y Marina
Decreto Numero 225 (1900)

Artillery

By Terry D. Hooker

ARTILLERY

Art. 35.

Artillery troops are composed in these:

    Line Artillery Regiments ( Montada )
    Mountain Artillery Regiments ( Montaña )
    Horse Artillery Regiments ( Caballo ) Light Artillery
    1 Company of Machine-gunners
    Squadron of Cannons ("Cañones") small calibre but quick firing
    Artillery Train

Art. 36.

There are in peace time:

    2 Line Artillery Regiments, numbered 1 & 2
    1 Mountain Artillery Regiment
    1 Horse Artillery Regiment
    1 Company of Machine-gunners
    1 Squadron of Cannons

Line Artillery

Art. 37.

Each Line Artillery Regiment in Cuadro ( maybe this implies that it is at a time of peace rather than active service ) has a Staff Corps plus 4 Batteries composed;

Art. 38.

The Battery is divided into the Combat Battery and the Equipment Section. The Battery is grouped:

Combat Battery

    6 Cannons
    9 Munition carriages
    1 Forage
    1 Battery carriage ( for explosives, could this be detonators ? )

Equipment Section

    2 Equipment carriages

Each Platoon per piece is formed from a 2nd Sergeant, a Corporal and 4 Gunners, 6 Corporals and 6 gunners per Battery stay with the Regimental Staff as runners to their Battery who communicate with a 2nd Sergeant from this unit.

The cannons and munition wagons are pulled by 6 horses or mules.

Art. 40.

In each Battery there will be 12 Gunners 1st Class, placed 2 to each cannon as part of the guns Platoon.

Art. 218.

At Time of War each Artillery Regiment will be increased by 2 additional Batteries, two 2nd Captains will be promoted to 1st Captains and 4 Lieutenants will be promoted to 2nd Captains. Any shortfall in subalterns will be filled by newly qualified cadets from the Military College. The Battery is composed of 19 carriages; 6 cannon, 9 munition carriages, 1 explosive carriage, 1 forage and 2 carriages for tools and equipment. Each Platoon per cannon will have 1 x 2nd Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 4 gunners. There are to be 2 Corporals and 12 Gunners to act as messengers from each Battery with a 2nd Sergeant as their Battery liaison officer.

Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Corporal ( Band )
1 Major 2 Marshals 1st Sergeants
1 Adjutant 1st Captain 1 Assistant, Corporal
2 Sub-Adjutants Sub-Lieutenants 2 Armourers 2nd Sergeant
1 1st Sergeant ( Band )6 Horses
Each Battery consists of
1 1st Captain 1 1st Sergeant ( Train )
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Sergeant ( Train )
4 Lieutenants 6 Corporals ( Train )
2 Sub-Lieutenants 22 Drivers 1st Class ( Train )
1 1st Sergeant 32 Drivers 2nd Class ( Train )
9 2nd Sergeants 1 Assistant
12 Corporals 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
3 Bandsmen1 Saddler ("obrero artificiero")
30 Artillerymen 54 Horses ( Limbered )
15 Horses
Time of War
Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Corporal ( Band )
1 Major 2 Marshals 1st Sergeants
1 Adjutant 1st Captain 1 Assistants Corporal
2 Sub-Adjutants, Sub-Lieutenants 2 Armourers
1 1st Sergeant ( Band ) 6 Horses
6 Batteries, each Battery
1 1st Captain 36 Gunners
1 2nd Captain 1 1st Sergeant ( Driver )
2 Lieutenants 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
2 Sub-Lieutenants 6 Corporals ( Drivers )
1 1st Sergeant 34 Drivers 1st Class
7 2nd Sergeants 21 Drivers 2nd Class
8 Corporals 1 Driver Assistant
3 Bandsmen 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
1 Armourer 1st Sgt. 92 Horses ( Limbered )
14 Horses 30 Mules

Mountain Artillery

Art. 43.

The Mountain Artillery Regiment in Cuadro ( maybe this implies that it is peace time and not active ) has a Staff Corps and 4 Batteries.

Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Corporal ( Band )
1 Major 2 Marshals 1st Sergeants
1 Adjutant 1st Captain 1 Assistant Corporal
2 Sub-Adjutants, Sub-Lieutenants 2 Armourers 2nd Sergeant
1 1st Sergeant ( Band ) 6 Horses
Each Battery consisted of
1 1st Captain 1 1st Sergeant ( Driver )
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
4 Lieutenants 6 Corporals ( Drivers )
4 Sub-Lieutenants 6 Drivers 1st Class
1 1st Sergeant 12 Drivers 2nd Class
9 2nd Sergeants 1 Assistant Driver
13 Corporals 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
4 Bandsmen 1 Saddler
32 Gunners 17 Horses and 51 Mules

From these 6 Gunners and 2 Drivers were to with the Staff Corps for use as runners between the two.

Art. 219.

At time of war the Mountain Artillery Regiment is duplicated to form 2 Battalions, the Colonel is given the command of the Regiment and the 1st Battalion, the Lieutenant Colonel is promoted to Colonel and in command of the 2nd Battalion. 4 x 2nd Captains are promoted to 1st Captains, 8 Lieutenants to 2nd Captains and 8 Sub-Lieutenants to Lieutenants, the vacant 8 Sub-Lieutenants are to be filled by Cadets from the Military College. The Battery is composed of 6 cannons, 84 munition carriers, 1 forage, 1 carrier for battery instruments, 1 carrier for tools and equipment, these are carried by 70 mules and 10 mules for the equipment section. The Platoon for each gun is made up of 1x 2nd Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 4 Gunners. For messengers use 2 Corporals and 12 Gunners per Battery with a 2nd Sergeant in charge.

Time of War
1st Battalion2nd Battalion
Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 Lieutenant Colonel
1 Major
1 Adjutant 2nd Captain 1 Adjutant 1st Captain
1 Sub-Adjutant Sub-Lieutenant 1 Sub-Adjutant Sub-Lieutenant
1 1st Sergeant ( Band ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Corporal ( Band ) 1 Marshal 1st Sergeant
1 Marshal 1st Sergeant 1 Assistant
1 Armourer 2nd Sergeant 1 Armourer 2nd Sergeant
3 Horses 2 Horses
Each Battery
1 1st Captain 1 1st Captain
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Captain
2 Lieutenants 2 Lieutenants
2 Sub-Lieutenants 2 Sub-Lieutenants
1 1st Sergeant 1 1st Sergeant
7 2nd Sergeants 7 2nd Sergeants
8 Corporals 8 Corporals
3 Bandsmen 3 Bandsmen
36 Gunners 36 Gunners
1 1st Sergeant ( Driver ) 1 1st Sergeant ( Driver )
1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver ) 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
6 Corporals ( Drivers ) 6 Corporals ( Drivers )
20 Drivers 1st Class 20 Drivers 1st Class
30 Drivers 2nd Class 30 Drivers 2nd Class
1 Assistant Driver 1 Assistant Driver
1 Workman "Artificiero" 1st Class 1 Workman 1st Class
80 Mules 80 Mules
14 Horses 14 Horses

From the 36 Gunners, 7 are to be used as messengers between the Battery and the Staff Corps.

Horse Artillery

Art. 49.

The Horse Artillery Regiment has a Staff Corps and 4 Batteries, composed as:

Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Corporal ( Band )
1 Major 2 Marshals 1st Sergeants
1 Adjutant 1st Captain 1 Assistant Corporal
2 Sub-Adjutants, Sub-Lieutenants 2 Armourers 2nd Sergeants
1 1st Sergeant ( Band ) 8 Horses
Each Battery consisted of
1 1st Captain 1 1st Sergeant ( Driver )
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
3 Lieutenants 4 Corporals ( Drivers )
1 Sub-Lieutenant 10 Drivers 1st Class
1 Battery Sergeant 1st Class 16 Drivers 2nd Class
6 Battery Sergeants 2nd Class1 Assistant Driver
8 Corporals 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
24 Gunners 1 Saddler
3 Bandsmen47 Horses ( Limbered )
24 Horses

From the 24 Gunners 7 are to be used as runners assisted with 2 Drivers 2nd Class, stationed with the Regimental Staff Corps.

The Horse Artillery Battery is composed of:

    4 Cannons
    6 Munition carriages
    1 Battery carriage, for explosives ( detonators ? )
    1 Forage
    2 Equipment carriages

Art. 52.

Each Battery has 8 Gunners 1st Class, these are to be used 2 to a gun.

Art. 53.

Each Platoon per gun is composed of a 2nd Sergeant, a Corporal and 6 Gunners, two of these gunners are to look after the horses. A 2nd Sergeant with 2 Corporals are to be battery messengers with Regimental Staff Corps, in liaison with a 2nd Sergeant at the Battery. 2 cannons and 2 munition carriages constitute a section.

Art. 54.

When on a War Footing the size per battery is enlarged to 6 cannons.

Art. 220.

The Horse Artillery when in time of war is augmented by an additional 2 Batteries, this creates promotion for 2 x 2nd Captains into 1st Captains, 4 Lieutenants into 2nd Captains, 4 Sub-Lieutenants into Lieutenants and 12 cadets from the Military College are to be made into Sub-Lieutenants. The Battery is composed of 14 carriages, 4 cannon, 6 munition carriages, 1 forage, 1 explosives carriage and 2 carriages for tools, etc. Each gun is manned by a 2nd Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 6 Gunners ( 2 of these gunners are to watch over the horses ). A 2nd Sergeant with 8 Gunners are to become the Battery's messengers to Regimental Staff Corps.

Time of War
Staff Corps
1 Colonel 1 2nd Sergeant ( Band )
1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Corporal ( Band )
1 Major 1 Marshal 1st Sergeant
1 Adjutant 1st Captain 1 Assistant Corporal
1 Sub-Adjutant, Sub-Lieutenant1 Armourer 2nd Sergeant
1 1st Sergeant( Band ) 8 Horses
Six Batteries, each one composed:
1 1st Captain 1 1st Sergeant ( Driver )
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
2 Lieutenants 4 Corporals ( Drivers )
2 Sub-Lieutenants10 Drivers 1st Class
1 1st Sergeant 16 Drivers 2nd Class
5 2nd Sergeants 1 Assistant Driver
4 Corporals 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
3 Bandsmen1 Saddler
32 Gunners50 Horses ( Limbered )
60 Horses

From the 32 gunners 5 are to be used as messengers between the Battery and Regimental Staff Corps.

Squadron of small calibre and rapid firing cannon

Art. 55.

Staff Corps:

    1 Major
    1 1st Captain, ( Chief of Detail )
    1 Adjutant Sub-Lieutenant
    1 Marshal 2nd Sergeant
    1 Assistant ( Driver )
    1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
    3 Horses

The Squadron is composed of:
1 2nd Captain 1 2nd Sergeant ( Driver )
3 Lieutenants 8 Corporals ( Drivers )
3 Sub-Lieutenants 24 Drivers 1st Class
1 1st Sergeant 32 Drivers 2nd Class
8 2nd Sergeants 1 Assistant Driver
16 Corporals 96 Horses ( Limbered )
3 Bandsmen 78 Horses
48 Gunners
From the 48 Gunners, 8 are to be used as messengers.

Art. 56.

The Squadron had 16 cannon with the same number of munition carriages, each is manned by 4 men. Each Platoon is composed of 1 Corporal with 3 Gunners, a section of cannon ( 2 cannon per section ) is commanded by a 2nd Sergeant.

Art. 221.

At time of war the cannons are increased to 32.

Company of Machine-gunners

Art. 58.

The Company of Machine-gunners is constituted in this manner:

1 1st Captain 3 Bandsmen
1 2nd Captain 72 Machine-gunners
3 Lieutenants 1 Marshal 2nd Sergeant
3 Sub-Lieutenants 1 Assistant
1 1st Sergeant 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
12 2nd Sergeants 1 Saddler 2nd Class
24 Corporals 50 Mules
6 Machine-gunners are to be used as messengers

Art. 59.

The Company is equipped with 24 machine-guns divided into 12 sections, each Platoon ( Pelotón ) per machine-gun is made up of a Corporal and 2 machine-gunners, each section of 2 machine-guns is commanded by a 2nd Sergeant, while 2 sections are commanded by an Officer.

Art. 223.

The Company of Machine-gunners at time of war will duplicate it's personnel as of Art. 58, and is increased to 142 mules to serve 48 Machine-guns.

Artillery Train

Art. 61.

The object of the Artillery Train is to transport munitions of war necessary for the complete supply of the troops and material used for the Artillery, as such it is part of the Munitions and Park branch. Art. 62.

The Artillery Train is comprised of a Staff Corps and 2 Sections:

Staff Corps
1 Major
1 1st Captain ( Chief of Detail )
1 Adjutant Sub-Lieutenant
1 Marshal 2nd Sergeant
1 Corporal ( Trumpeter )
2 Horses
1 2nd Captain15 Drivers 1st Class
2 Lieutenants 25 Drivers 2nd Class
1 1st Sergeant ( Driver ) 1 Assistant Driver
4 2nd Sergeant ( Driver ) 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
6 Corporals ( Drivers ) 10 Horses
3 Trumpeters 138 Mules
From the 25 Drivers 2nd Class, 5 are to be used as messengers.

Art. 63.

The material in each Section is carried in 23 carriages and formed in this way:

    4 Carriages for Infantry usage with 25,000 cartridges on each
    13 Carriages for Artillery usage with 1,131 wheels ( tiros )
    1 Forge
    1 Cureña de respeto ( carriage for carrying the dead ? )
    1 Carriage de Bateria ( Battery carriage )
    3 Carriages for equipment, tools, forage etc.

    The 2 Sections of munitions convey 200,000 cartridges for the Infantry and 2,262 for the Artillery.

    Art. 223.

    At time of war the personnel will increase by:

    Staff Corps: an additional 3 Assistants.

    Two Sections, each one consisting of:
    1 2nd Captain30 Drivers 2nd Class
    2 Lieutenants 1 Assistant Driver
    1 1st Sergeant ( Driver ) 3 Trumpeters
    4 2nd Sergeants ( Drivers ) 1 Saddler 1st Sergeant
    6 Corporals ( Drivers ) 1 Saddler
    20 Drivers 1st Class 10 Horses and 168 mules

    The transportation material in each section is; 4 munition carriages for Infantry, 13 munition carriages for Artillery, 1 forage, 2 carriages of respect, 1 explosives carriage, 4 carriages for Infantry munitions packed in white wooden boxes, 3 carriages for tools, rope, etc.

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