Imperial Brazilian Uniforms
During the War of
the Triple Alliance

Part 3: Artillery

By C. A. Norman

Other Installments

The regular army line in 1865 included a battalion-sized "Corps" of horse artillery and 4 battalions of foot artillery . The reorganisation of 1866 expanded this corps by a 2nd Provisional Corps of Horse Artillery and a 5th battalion of toot artillery. The horse artillery were largely recruited in the province of Rio Grande do Sul and had a distinctly "gaucho" tradition.

In 1866 both corps were wearing dark blue uniforms similar to those of other branches, distinguished by various facings in crimson and/or black. Horse artillery uniforms were similar to those of the cavalry, with entirely crimson facings and brass buttons . For full dress they wore the coatee with brass contre-epaulets and the low "Yeoman-crowned" shako with a black standing plume tipped red ("waterfall" plume of Cock feathers for officers).

Their "second uniform" comprised the tunic, generally with brass shoulder chains, and the kepi, following the pattems in use in other branches, The foot artillery followed essentially infantry patterns, their dress coatee distinguished by battalion variations: crimson collar and black cuffs for the 1st battalion, black collar and crimson cuffs for the 2nd, both black for the 3rd and both crimson for the 4th, all other piping and trim being crimson.

Their shako was conical, wrapped with cords which fell in flounders on the right breast; on the front a device or brass crossed cannon with Imperial crown above and battalion tassels and number below. As a special distinction the 1st battalion had their shakos covered with crimson cloth wrapped with black cords; the other battalions had black shakos with yellow cords. Shako plumes were of the hanging or "waterfall" variety, of Cock feathers for officers, of black horsehair emerging from a black ball pom-pom for other ranks, Their "second uniform" followed much the same pattem as for infantry, distinguished by various crimson or black collar patches and cuff flaps according to battalion.

The dress regulations of 1866 retained what was essentially the former "second uniform'' as the only authorised uniform. This remained virtually unchanged for the horse artillery while all foot artillery adopted the "second uniform" as formerly worn by the Ist battalion, with crimson collar patches and black cuff flaps. In theory all artillery were now to have a gold or yellow (according to rank) flaming grenade on the collar patches, but it's use seems to have been sporadic at best.

For full dress the former shakos continued in use for the foot artillery these were now to be universally black wrapped with crimson cords and with a new plume for lower ranks. Other uniform items and equipment were much as for other branches of service. Curiously, the foot artillery kepi was now to be crimson for all units.

Uniforms of Artillerists:

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© Copyright 1997 by The South and Central Military Historians Society

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