A Cavalry regiment or Dragoon regiment consisted of four squadrons with two companies in each. A Cavalry Company comprised: 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Ensigns, 1 First Sergeant, 3 Second Sergeants, 9 Corporals, 2 Trumpeters, 52 Mounted Troopers, B Dismounted Troopers. The Headquarters level was: 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Squadron Commanders, 4 Adjutant Lieutenants, 4 Guidon Bearer Ensigns, 1 Chaplain, 1 Surgeon, 1 First Sergeant Marshal, 2 Grooms, 1 Cornet Major, 1 Cornet Corporal, 2 Second Sergeants, I Saddler, 1 Armouer, 2 Corporals [tailor and carpenter], 3 Troopers [farrier, mason and baker - all mounted].

On the 11th. April 1837 the First Company of all Cavalry Regiments was to be composed of Lancers. Independant Companies and Squadrons were each to have a squad of 8 Lancers and 1 Corporal.

Preidial Companies, serving permanently in the Presiding or Frontier Forts, had 17 Regular Companies and 12 Independent Companies. The uniform was the same for all except the Californian Companies.

Californian Presidial Companies

These were issued with two uniforms, the garrison dress was as follows; Black shako with gold lace and brass fittings, dark blue tailcoat, green collar and cuffs, deep-red pointed lapels and cuff flaps all with white piping. The collar bore the abbreviation 'A.C.' or 'B.C.' embroidered in white, no epaulettes were worn but instead dark blue shoulder tabs edged in white. Trousers were dark blue with a red stripe, black leather crossbelt and sword scabbard. Their service dress was as follows; Broad brimmed black hat with a round crown and a white band. A dark blue single breasted shell jacket with red collar and cuffs, grey overalls buttoned on the outside seams, over boots. Dark blue cape, cowboy style saddle with a shabraque, white leather belts, etc..

The Regular Independent Companles

Black broad brimmed hat with white band as above, dark blue coat with a single row of eight buttons, red collar [not as high as the normal ones] and plain red cuffs, dark blue trousers. Brown leather cartridge box and cross-belt, the latter having the Presidio's name embroidered upon it in white. The wearing of the Presidio's [Fort's) name on the cross-belt was practised by the Californian Companies aswell as the New Mexico and Provincial Presidial Companies.

The Light Mounted Regiments of Mexico

These were raised in 1835, their last uniform change was in 1839, which was as follows; Sky blue single breasted coat with scarlet collar, cuffs and cuff bars, scarlet epaulettes, dark blue trousers with a red stripe and reinforced leather inside leg plus 'false boots'. Sky blue cloak edged in scarlet, sky blue saddle cloth, holster covers and saddle roll all edged in scarlet.

The Tulancingo Cuirassiers

Raised on 15th. June 1842, their off duty and dismounted dress was as follows; Officers; black bicorne hat, sky blue single breasted coat with crimson collar and (pointed) cuffs piped silver. Sky blue trousers with crimson piping, silver epaulettes, silver cartouche box with high black boots and silver spurs. Troopers; Sky blue coat with crimson collar, cuffs, cuff flaps and turnbacks all with white piping, sky blue trousers piped crimson, white epaulettes, black boots with steel spurs.

Mounted Duty dress; Officers; Brass helmet with silver ornaments and horse hair 'criniere'. Sky blue coat with crimson collar and cuffs with white piping, silver epaulettes. Crimson trousers with a sky blue stripe. Brass cuirass with emblem of Eagle and Snake in silver on the front, silver belt buckle and cartouche. Sky blue shabraque edged with silver lace, the bridle was also trimmed with silver.

The Tulancingo Cuirassiers

Mounted Duty Dress; Trooper; Sky blue coat with crimson collar, cuffs and cuff flaps, cuffs and cuff flaps piped in white, silver epaulettes. Crimson trousers with sky blue piping and leather reinforcing and 'false boots' brass cuirass and helmet with white metal ornaments, horsehair 'criniere', sky blue shabraque with white piping, muskatoon and straight sword were carried

The 7th Regular-Cavalry

Received a new uniform on the 10th. September 1842 which was; Crimson coat with green collar, lapels, cuffs, cuff flaps and turnbacks all piped crimson, white embroidered '7' on collar, lapels had eight buttons on each side with white lace at buttonholes. Green trousers with crimson piping, sky blue saddle cloth piped white, white leather straps.

The Hussars of the Guard of the Supreme Powers

These were issued with their new uniform on the 19th. December 1843 it consisted of; Black busby with a brass plate bearing the Regimental title, red bag with white piping and tassel, white flounders. Red dolman with ice blue collar and [pointed] cuffs all laced In white, twelve double rows of white cord on the breast with four rows of white metal but tons. Pelt sae Ice blue trimmed with black fur, white cord on breast as on dolman, double white suspension cords with flounders on the left side. Trousers Ice blue with o white stripe, black sabretache with 11n. white lace around the side and bottom edges, sabretache suspended by two black leather slings from the waist belt, all other leatherwork white. Saddle blanket red piped white, holster covers red with double white piping, ice blue saddle roll with white piping. This regiment became Hussars on the 27th. July 1846 [official) until January 1848, during the war this unit served as Presidential Bodyguard, armed with lances, pennants being red over blue.

The Jalisco Lancers

Were raised in July 1843 and consisted of 2 squadrons with a uniform of Czapska with red top, black leather bottom and yellow central band, brass edge to black leather peak, brass plate, National cockade with yellow falling plume above, yellow cords. Red single breasted coat with dark green collar, (pointed) cuffs,cuff flaps and turnbacks all with red piping, yellow fringeless epaulettes, dark blue trousers with red stripe. White leather straps and sword knot, green saddle blanket and hosters with white edging, green saddle roll with red cover.

The Mounted Rifles

Being originally raised as a Light Cavalry unit on the 12th. June 1840 and were renamed and given a new uniform on the 20th. September 1843 which was; Black busby with an oval brass plate bearing the Mexican Eagie with the word 'Victoria' above it, crimson bag with white piping, crimson plume, brass chinscales. Dark green coat with crimson collar, (pointed] cuffs, cuff flaps, lapels and turnbacks all of which were piped white, breast trimmed with white lace (silver for officers) and 2 rows of 12 white metal buttons, crimson epaulettes. Green trousers with crimson stripe, boots worn over trousers, yellow cope, green saddle blanket, holsters and saddle roll all with crimson piping, white leather equipment.

The 1st Cavalry Regiment

Received a new uniform on the 7th. September 1845; Black leather helmet with front and rear visors, brass plate, comb, chinscales, plume holder and edging to visors, red plume and black horsehair crest. Dark green coat with collar and cuffs of the same but with yellow piping, white embroidered number '1' on the collar, yellow lapels and cuff flaps, white metal buttons. Grey overalls with black leather reinforcing on the inside leg and a red stripe on outer seam.

ARTILLERY

The Mexican Artillery consisted of 3 Brigades, 5 Foot Companies, 1 Mounted Brigade and one Sappeur Battalion. In peace time a Foot Brigade was composed of 8 Companies, each Company comprised; 3 Oficers, 20 Non-Commissioned Officers, 2 Drummers, 2 buglers and 66 Artillerists. While a War time Company was comprised as; 5 Officers, 22 Non-Commissioned Officers, 2 Drummers, 2 buglers and 86 Artillerists. The organization at Brigade level was; 5 Senior Officers, 6 Junior Officers, 1 Captain Paymaster, 1 Chaplain, 1 Surgeon, 1 First Brigade Sergeant, 1 Drum Major, 1 Bugle Major, 1 Armourer, 8 Pioneers with 1 Corporal, 12 Musicians, 2 Band Masters.

The Mounted Brigade had six Companies, each of which comprised; 4 officers, 2 Trumpeters, 20 Non-Commissioned Officers, 66 gunners, 88 Saddle horses, 50 Draft horses. Headquarters Staff was the same as for the Foot Brigades, but with the addition of a Trumpet Major, a Groom Marshal, 2 Saddlers, an Armourer and 8 Pioneers with 1 Corporal.

The Sappeur Battalion was commanded by a Brigadier and had; 10 Senior Officers, 40 Junior Officers, 600 men in 6 Companies.

The 11st. Company were miners, the 2nd. Company were pontoneers, who were equivalent to Line Grenadiers, but the remaining 4 Companies were normal sappeurs. A Company comprised; 3 Officers, 5 Non-Commissioned Officers, 2 Drummers, I Flier, (these Drummers and Fifer were replaced by Buglers in the 1st. and 2nd. Companies] 78 Sappeurs.

The Foot Artillery

UNIFORM; Black shako with a gold lace band around the top and another around the bottom with two more on the sides at an angle going towards the back, brass shako plate of the National Arms behind crossed cannons and a flaming bomb above, crimson pompon. Dark blue single breasted coat with crimson collar bearing a flaming bomb embroidered in yellow with the number of the Brigade or Company, cuffs, cuff flaps and turnbacks All piped in crimson, lapels black with seven buttons, each bearing a flaming bomb, the button holes trimmed with yellow lace terminating in a point. Double piped vertical pocket flaps, each with four buttons, one at each point, yellow flaming bomb turnback ornaments, yellow epaulettes, trousers dark blue. Officers wore the same except that the lapels were of black velvet with gold lace and embroidery. When dismounted the officers carried a straight sword and when mounted carried a sabre suspended from black slings and with a crimson silk sword knot.

The Mounted Artillery

UNIFORM; Shako as for the Foot Artillery, Dark blue Goatee with crimson collar, turnbacks, cuffs (pointed) and piping, 3 '4 inch' diagonal white lace stripes [half chevrons) on the forearm and a 14 inch stripe on the cuff. Dark blue trousers wiyh antelope skin reinforcing on the inside leg and 'false boots' of the same, buff gauntlets with white cuffs, saddle-cloth, saddle roll and saddle holsters all dark blue with crimson piping.

MEDICAL HEALTH CORPS

On the 12th. February 1846 the Medical Health Corps was enlarged and made part of the Army. In peace time this Corps consisted of; Inspector General [rank of Brigadier General), Hospital Director [rank of Colonel], 8 Hospitial Professors [rank of Lt. Colonel], 40 Army Surgeons [rank of Battalion Commandant], 40 First Adjutants (rank of Captain], 40 Second Adjutants (rank of Lieutenants), 30 Sub Lieutenants, and an undetermined number of students to help.

Ambulance Companies were formed in proportion of 4 ambulance men to every 100 combatants in peace time and 8 in war time. Sergeants and corporals were classified as 1st. and 2nd Attendants. In addition to the standard army uniform, they also had a frock coat of sailcloth for field and service work. The stretchers were of the same design as the French 'Ittiere' and 'cacolets' of the African campaign, adaptable to rough and mountainous country. For convoys of wounded the litters were assembled and mounted on the sides of mules, [one on each side], led by an attendant. Medics were warned not to fraternise with the rank and file, but to keep up good relations with army officers.

UNIFORM; (issued 17th. February 1846) Medium blue tailcoat with cuffs, cuff flaps, collar and turnbacks of the same but with crimson piping, gilt eagle buttons and turnback ornaments, trousers medium blue with gold stripes, black bicorne. Sword with a black leather scabbard with gilt fittings and a gold sword knot. Inspector Generals had a wavy gold lace edging on the bicorne and a white plume, the collar had a crimson piping running around the centre, with gold embroidered laurel leaves above and oak leaves below this crimson piping, plus a linch wide embroidered gold lace around the collar and cuff edges. Hospital Directors had the same dress as the Inspector Generals except they had a single gold embroidered band around the centre of the collar, made up of half laurel and half oak leaves. They also had a tricolour plume in their hats. Hospital Professors had the same as for the above except that they had on both sides of their collars two false buttonholes with red piping. The upper buttonhole was edged with gold embroidered laurel leaves, while the lower with oak leaves. The gold lace around the collar and cuffs being plain. Army Surgeons had only one buttonhole each side on the collar, laced with half laurel and half oak leaves.

First Adjutants had their bicorne without lace or plume, the buttonhole each side of the collar trimmed with plain gold lace and there was no gold lace edging on the collar and cuffs. Second Adjutants the same as for the First Adjutants, but without the lace on the buttonholes. Students plain collar without buttonholes.

All Subalterns also had thin-fringed tassels on their sword knots in gold lace. In the field, hospital and garrison service all wore a medium blue frock coat with lapels or a military short jacket without embroidery, but with crimson piping, trousers of medium blue with a crimson stripe.

All medics carried a black leather surgical cartouche box on parade, which in service dress was covered in red kid leather. All used the shoulder knot insignia of rank on a crimson backing, the same pattern as the army.

The Inspector General had a red saddle cloth with two gold lace stripes around the edge, with a triple holster covers of the same. The Hospital Director had the same except that it was of medium blue Instead of red. Professors and Surgeons had a medium blue saddle cloth with a single gold lace edge. Adjutants the same but with a sky blue edging lace rather than the gold. Surgeons and Adjutants also carried a black leather rectangular saddle valise. The section of privates and N.C.O.s had no special uniform but were armed with an infantry sabre, suspended from a waist belt and a lance instead of a musket, their lance was not used as a weapon but to improvise a stretcher by tying a blanket or bedsheet between two such lances.

WEAPONS

The Infantry were armed with the English Brown Bess muskets of Tower manufacture, their rifles were also English, being made by Baker who also had made their carbines. These arms were used by the British Army up to 1838 when they became obsolete and were sold by the British to the Mexican Government. Although Mexico had its own factories, which produced arms that were as good as European arms, this came to a gradual standstill after the Mexican War of Independence, nothing was further produced after 1847. The Infantry also carried a sword bayonet, while the Cavalry carried various patterns of swords, mainly 3 bar hilted light cavalry swords. Dragoon Regiments carried their carbines in leather buckets suspended from the saddle front, the carbine was rifled and had a bayonet fitment. Hussars and Mounted rifles carried their carbines on a crossbelt in the normal fashion. Lances were made of beech or nut wood and were 3yds. long overall. The point was shaped in the form of a knife, 8 in. long or four cutting edges separated by gutters, below this was a crosspiece, followed by a tube with two 36 in. long iron straps screwed to the shaft, this being 1 to 15 in. thick. 

CAVALRY DRESS REGULATIONS OF 1841
Regiment	Coat	Collar	Lapels & Turnbacks	Cuffs	Cuff Flaps	Piping
1st.	Yellow	Red	Red	Red	Red	Opposite
2nd.	Yellow	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Opposite
3rd.	Blue	Green	White	Green	Green	Opposite
4th.	Sky Blue	Deep Red	Red	Red	Red	Opposite
5th.	Blue	Red	Red	Red	Red	Opposite
6th.	Green	White	White	White	Red	Opposite
7th.	White	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Opposite
8th.	Blue	White	Red	Red	White	Opposite
9th.	Green	Crimson	Crimson	Crimson	Crimson	White

Trousers for all Regiments were Blue except the 6th. which were Green and the 9th. that were Dark Blue, all trousers had a red stripe. The saddle cloth were all piped/edged in White, the 1st. Regt. had a red one while the 2nd. Blue, 3rd. Green, 4th. Green, 5th. Red, 6th. Red, 7th. Green, 8th. Green, 9th. Green.

Turnback ornaments were in the form of a 2 in. wide yellow eagle.

SOURCES

The Mexican Soldier, 1837-1847, Nieto, Brown and Hefter, Mexico 1958.

The San Blas Battalion, General M.A.Lamego and J.Hefter, Mexico 1964. Material contained in The Military Historian, The Journal of the Company of Military Historians, Washington D.C.

Plus personal correspondence with J. Hefter on this subject.

This text has been allowed to be reprinted from the magazine "TRADITION" by Mr. R. Belmont-Maitland, this being the second and last instalment, the first part appeared in "El Dorado" Vol. II No. 2 (JULY-AUGUST).