THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD

On the 18th April 1853 orders for the ceremonial for the installation of Santa Anna as President was laid down. A company of grenadiers was to serve as his escort. A full scale Presidential Guard was soon organised, starting with the Grenadiers of the Guard of the Supreme Powers on April 25th 1853 and the Horse Grenadiers of the Guard of the Supreme Powers on 29th April 1853. It was soon expanded, becoming an army within an army, with special privileges and pay.

According to a decree of June 8th, 1854, the Presidential Guard was to consist of the following corps:

Two companies of sappers
One “mixed division” of four artillery batteries
A battalion of Grenadiers (raised on 25th April 1853)
A battalion of Cazadores (already in existence - uniform described on June 20th 1853)
A battalion of Tiradores
A battalion of Guides
A regiment of Horse Grenadiers (raised on 29th April 1853)
A regiment of Lancers (already in existence - uniform described on June 20th 1853)

Rank badges of captains and subalterns of the Corps of the Guard were to be as those of the General Staff, according to the decree of 20th June 1853.

By the decree of 8th June 1854, rank badges of the captains of the guard were to be of thick wire (on the epaulettes) and subalterns wore the same although they were to use contre-epaulettes on the gala uniform with the strap the colour of the coat.

By 26th July 1854 further modifications were ordered; all units of the guard were to use white equipment, colonels were to wear aiguillettes like those of the aides-de-camp of the president, all troops were to use a shield on the cap with the national arms. Also, all were to wear gaiters and half boots, white with black buttons for grenadiers and artillery over white breeches, black with yellow buttons for the light troops.

All corps of the Guard were to use the eagle on the pikestaff of their flags and standards as in the model of the general staff.

The June 8th decree ended with the injunction that the Guard units were to head the army, unless the Military College students were on parade, in which case, they had preference. Only the Guard formed a Guard of Honour or an escort for the President.

Mexico 1853 - 1855: Part 1 Uniforms of the Army in Santa Anna's Last Presidency

Introduction
Officers and Staff
The Presidential Guard
Guard: Sappers, Engineers, and Artillery
Guard: Grenadiers and Light Infantry Bttns
Guard: Horse Grenadiers and Lancers
Squadron of Guides of the President
Medical Corps of the Guard