Fig. 1. Flag of Colonel Pizarro:

Officer of Infantry: Shako black, black leather top band and visor (I would assume that most of these shako's that I put down as having a black leather top band also have a black leather top to the shako and that the top band is basically a simple way of fastening this water-proof top to the felt shako, while in some units this band could have coloured lace covering it or in other cases which are not shown as having a band could just have a felt top and sides. The bottom band being an additional strength provider while also hiding the white sweat markings coming through from inside the shako. I may or may not be right in these thoughts, but there is some sort of logic to them. T.D.H.), red cords and tassels, red pom pom, national cockade of sky-blue and white, gilt shako plate, chin-scales and boss, overcoat in dark blue, collar and cuffs also in dark blue, epaulettes in gold lace, buttons gilt, crimson waist-sash, white leather sword cross-belt, sword scabbard in black leather with gilt fittings, gilt hilt with white sword-knot, trousers blue, black shoes.

Flag: Sky blue field, ribbon in light blue with black legend, green leaves and branch to a red flower, in the centre is the Argentine National arms: gold sun and rays, green laurel branches and leaves, red tied bow, flesh coloured arms with the background halved, the top being blue and the bottom white, red phrygian cap on a wooden staff, steel fittings to wooden flag pole.

Source: Flag in existance in the Museo Historico Nacional, Buenos Aires.

Fig. 2. Flag from the Column of Colonel Bautista Cabot:

Officer in Cape: Bicorne in black with gold lace tassels cape in blue cloth, under jacket in blue, breeches blue, gilt buttons, black boots, white sword slings, steel scabbard, gilt hilt.

Flag: Field in sky-blue - white - sky-blue stripes, central shield; outer edge in silver, light green field, dark green laurel branches and leaves, National Shield in centre as per fig.1. with a gold outer border rather than green branches.

Source: Flag in existance in the Museo Historico National, Buenos Aires.

Back to Table of Contents: El Dorado Vol VII No. 2
Copyright 1996 by The South and Central Military Historians Society