continued from Vol.III No 2

v3n2: Cazadores de Mexico Uniform Plates 1 and 2 (monstrously slow: 647K)

"Kepi", Officers "of the model of the French Chasseurs a Pied", with a "Chasseur grey" top and dark blue band, rank lace in silver or gold "as on coat". Men , not mentioned in the original decree, but the French translation mentions it as ; "Kepi in trouser cloth, blue band, piping and number in yellow" [could this mean yellow metal number?]. Vanson mentions its use in his notes, though he doesn't depict it in use [or describe it]. "Vareuse" [short loose coat], of dark blue wool, buttoned straight down the front with 1 row of buttons, turn-down collar with rounded angles trimmed with a "horn" cut from green cloth. The sleeves open at the rear and fastened with 2 buttons, simulated pointed cuffs formed by stitching [apparently normally bark blue without piping].

Six large buttons down the front, 2 small on the cuffs and 1 on each breast pocket; the model adopted, of white metal, is that of the French Chasseurs a Pied [with "horn" and Battalion Number]. The pockets to be lined with leather, so they can be used to carry cartridges.

Apparently this "Regulation Vareuse" took some time to make and issue, with initially a variety of garments issued from various sources: the 1st Battalion, in June 1866, was issued "Belgian coats" OF "Molleton" [a light woolen material] of terrible quality, their commander described them as ". soaking up every_ drop of water with which they come in contact...." and prophecyed that "they will be useless within 3 months".

The 2nd Battalion was ordered, provisionally, to continue to use the uniforms and arms brought by those men formerly serving in a "French Corps", "until such time as it is possible to replace them."

The 5th Battalion was in even worse shape; it was noted that they "were niether equipped nor dressed, the magazines possessing no shirts. the men recieved on their arrival, to cover their nudity, a pair of under-drawers, gaiters, shoes and a few recieved a pair of linen trousers."

Most of the Vanson sketches depict 3-point green "patter" worn on the collar of the coat in place of the regulation "horns", though its not specified which units wore these[?]. Officers "Vareuse", of the men's model, with silver buttons, silver "horns" embroidered on the collar on the blue "base" [not confirmed by Vanson); on the shoulders to be placed a double silver cord, the base to be sewn into the sleeve seam with the top fixed by a small button. It was noted that "these cords indicate officer's rank in the same manner as the eppaulet: loops of the French Army, senior officers replacing these cords with a "trefoil". Rank insignia was to be worn on the sleeves in the form of smooth silver lace chevrons above the cuffs, 5mm wide with a 3mm interval between; the ranking was to follow the French system exactly, including the distinctions for special employment:

Capitaine Adjudant-Major; Gold centre lace. [e.g. silver, gold, silver.

Capitaine-Major; 2 Gold laces, with a silver one between. Lieutenant de Tir; the top lace in Gold.

Waistcoats; men, "of Zouave style, in grey wool without lace or distinctions" [i.e. sleeveless and collarless, fastening down the right side; despite the Regs. Vanson frequently depicts them as trimmed with lace in Zouave style, presumably in green?]. Vanson describes their shade as "a rather dark grey, of a blueish tone" [this also applies to the trousers and other "grey" items].

This waistcoat was worn over a "Zouave shirt" of white linen [collar-less]. No sort of collar or cravat was authorized for the men, though Vanson frequently depicts them wearing cravats or neck scarves. Officers, described in the Regs. as "of grey cloth like the men's, closing with small white buttons. Conforming to the Mexican Regulations of 1st November 1865.

All of which suggests a normal form of waistcoat, rather than the "Zouave style", this is supported by the fact that they were authorized a black silk cravat [Vanson shows this with silver fringes, worn in the Austrian style].

Trousers: men, described in the Regs. as being "those of the Light companies of the French Train" [a loose "chasseur style" of the same shade as the waistcoats with green piping down the outer seams]. Officers, "of the same worn by French Officers" [long and rather "peg-topped"], "in wool of the same shade as the men's, with a blue stripe on the seams" [Vanson gives a green stripe].

Linen Clothing: the Regulations Authorized a "Vareuse" and trousers of unbleached linen, of the same form as the normal uniform, for hot weather and tropical wear. Vanson depicts these with the same trim as on the normal uniform, with the men's trousers frequently rolled at the bottom to display the "Calzones" underneath, in the Mexican style.

Officers were authorized unbleached linen trousers, but not the "Vareuse".

Sash: men only, "of blue wool, of the Zouave model". Worn over the waistcoat, under the coat. Probably a lighter blue than the coat, the Zouave sash was a dark sky blue.

"Serape": men only, described in the initial Regs as "of grey wool with green stripes", the stripes did not appear in the Regs. as finally published in the "Diario del Imperio" [though Vanson mentions a green edging]. This garment was used as both a blanket and an poncho for cold weather.

Gaiters: men only, of unbleached linen or canvas, with wooden buttons, of the French Army form. Shoes of natural leather of French Army model [there are also depictions of men in sandals, without gaiters].

"Caban" officers only, a sort of loose overcoat of vaguely "Algerian" style. Described as being "of French Officer's model [in dark blue] lined with Chasseur grey", it was. specified that the rank insignia was to be of the same form used on the "Vareuse" and not in "Hungarian knots". It is not clear if it had black braid loops and "olivets" on the front, like the French Officer's model [though it seems likely?].

Equipment: men, initially a rather varied lot, due to the incapacity of the magazines to furnish the Regulation items. The Regulations specified the issue of 2 "sacks", one worn on a strap over the shoulder, the other wrapped inside the "serape" or blanket [the latter often issued due to the lack of "serapes", the "pack" or "havresac" was not to be an item of issue (though at least the first 3 Battalions were eventually issued packs, due to complaints about the carrying capacity of a blanket or serape roll.

Most units seem to have wrapped their effects inside their serape or blanket, which was carried either in a 'horseshoe roll' over the shoulder, or slung by straps or cords on the back. All equipment [including rifle slings] were to be of natural leather. The "Regulation" waistbelt was of the "Zouave model", of natural leather with an iron buckle worn on the left hip in the Zouave style, the Regulation cartridge pouch was also of the "Zouave model" worn at the back of the waistbelt (but in natural leather], though this was often replaced by a variety of types of pouches worn on the front of the waistbelt (the 1st Battalion is said to have used a distinctive model pouch worn in front, though details are uncertain]. Officers, normally wore a black waistbelt with "S" hook attached to 2 silver discs with lions heads.

For full dress, Vanson shows a waistbelt [and frequently a bandolier] of silver lace with 2 green lines, the bandolier is depicted supporting a black pouch with silver "horn" on the flap]. Black revolver holster and lanyard of twisted green silk and silver. Note that all "leatherwork" for officers was black, rather than 'natural". Arms: men, varied according to Battalion, not all being known; 

1st Battalion, "their armament is composed partly of old arms formerly carried by the Rural Guards from which they were formed, and partly of Belgian "carbines" from the magazines of Puebla and Mexico." This Battalion appears to have eventually been entirely armed with Belgian "carbines" with sabre-bayonets [?].

2nd Battalion. appear to have been armed mostly with Enfield "carbines" [in contemporary French terminology, a "carbine" is a rifled arm, slightly shorter than the standard musket, rather than the very short Cavalry arm. These Enfields may have been of Belgian manufacture?]. By demand of the Commandant, N.C.O.s. of this Battalion were armed with "Infantry sabres" [model unknown] in addition to their "carbines".

4th Battalion, known to have been issued at least 220 French model 1842T rifles.

6th Battalion, armed, at least in part, with French model 1857 rifles.

7th Battalion, armed with"rifles" acquired by the Mexican Government from the United States [make and model unknown].

9th Battalion, initially entirely armed with Belgian"carbines", later supplemented with Enfield "carbines" ["the remainder of these Enfields being passed on to the 3rd Battalion"]. Officers, carried sabres of the French "Chasseur a Pied" model, with the black [silk] undress sword knot. The Regulations specified a revolver for service, but no model was specified.

N.C.O.s. Distinctions, distinguished by chevrons above the cuffs, following French models, in green wool for lower ranks, silver for higher [the Sargeant Rifle-Instructor to have a single gold chevron].

Adjutants [Warrant officers], wore officer's dress with a single gold chevron above the cuffs, epaulets prohibited, "kepi" of a sub-lieutenant with gold piping above the band [horizontal; and false chin-strap replaced by a silver piping, armament as for Officers.

Trumpeters, Regulations specified a single "galon" of white wool with 2 longitudinal green lines above the cuffs, Vanson illustrated a trumpeter with 3 triple chevrons equally spaced up the sleeve. The trumpet [more accurately "horn"] was described as "of Mexican model with modified mouthpiece", with green woolen cords and tassels.

[That's as much as I've been able to dig up, maybe someone will find additional information, if so let us all know, C.A. Norman]