THE GRENADIERS OF THE GUARD OF THE SUPREME POWERS

Originally created as an active militia unit on December 7th 1841 and dissolved in December 1847, this battalion was re-established by decree on 25th April 1853.

The establishment was a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, a commandant, a supernumerary captain as treasurer, two adjutants, two sub-adjutants, a chaplain, a surgeon, an adjutant to the surgeon, a drum major, a corporal bugler, a corporal of pioneers, 8 pioneers and an armourer. There were 8 companies, each of a captain, two lieutenants, two sub-lieutenants, a first sergeant, 4 second sergeants, 13 corporals, 2 drummers, a bugler and 129 men. The 1854 regulation leaves out the supernumerary captain, the surgeon and his assistant.

By the 26th July 1854 decree, two adjutants and two sub-adjutants were added to the regimental staff.

The privileges of the battalion were that they should always head the column except when the pupils of the Military College were on parade.

The uniform was a red tail coat with light blue collar, cuffs, turnbacks, epaulettes, piping and lapels. The lapels had 9 yellow buttonholes. Double sardinetas were worn, presumably on the cuffs, and a grenade was worn on the left arm. The buttons were plain and the pocket flaps were perpendicular with three light blue loops and piping; two grenades were worn as clasps on the turnbacks. White drill trousers were worn and the head-dress was a fur cap with a grenade for a badge and without cords.

Medio uniform was a turkish blue tunic, the collar, cuffs and piping red, trousers blue with a red stripe, a leather shako with brass band, a grenade on the front and a red pom-pom and top band. The belt was black with a short sabre with a red tassel (white equipment was ordered for all guards units on 26th July 1854). On the belt was worn a bayonet and cartouche box and a pouch for caps. The armament was a percussion rifle. Officers wore a sword and belt and were otherwise to wear the uniform of the troops.

The minimum height of the men was to be 5 1/2 castillian feet.

By the decree of 26th July 1854, when further modifications were ordered, cords were to be worn by the artillery and cazadores on their newly prescribed colbacks, which were to be like those of the grenadiers - which implies that the grenadiers were now wearing cords themselves. It is possible that this is actually referring to the horse grenadiers, however, but as all those now wearing fur caps were to have cords, it is more likely that the foot grenadiers were indeed now wearing these on their caps.

LIGHT INFANTRY BATTALION OF CAZADORES OF THE GUARD

The staff was made up of a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, a commandant of the battalion, a second adjutant, a sub-adjutant, a chaplain, a drum major, a corporal bugler, a corporal of pioneers, an armourer and 8 pioneers. The battalion consisted of 8 companies each with a captain, lieutenant, two sub-lieutenants, a first sergeant, 4 second sergeants, 13 corporals, 4 buglers and 70 men.

By the 26th July 1854 decree, another two lieutenants and two sub-lieutenants were added to each company and two adjutants and two sub-adjutants were added to the regimental staff.

The uniform was established by decree on June 20th 1853. the tail coat was dark green with yellow horizontal bars of lace across the front (by the later decree of June 8th 1854, the buttonholes are described as being of yellow thread, forming lapels), yellow epaulettes with red fringes (by the June 8th 1854 decree, green epaulettes with red fringe), yellow turnbacks and piping, yellow hunting horns on the collar and on the turnbacks, and one worn on the left arm, double sardinetas and pockets (it is possible that this refers to cuff flaps). Trousers were white with a dark green stripe 1 1/2 “pulgadas” wide. The shako was black with a patent leather band, the top band and securing cord were yellow (this was the forrajera, worn around the neck and looped around the body to secure the shako) the pom-pom green and for a shield, a hunting horn with the initials C. G. inside it (by the June 8th decree 1854, a bugle with the inscription “Cazadores de la Guardia”).

Medio uniform was a green tunic with red trousers. The June 8th 1854 decree specified sardinetas on the sleeves in addition.

By the decree of 26th July 1854, fur colbacks were ordered for the cazadores in “grands formations” with green cords. Epaulettes were to be yellow and the stripe on the white trousers was abolished.

LIGHT INFANTRY BATTALION OF TIRADORES OF THE GUARD

The staff and organisation was as that of the cazadores. The battalion of tiradores was formed from the 11th line battalion.

By the 26th July 1854 decree, another two lieutenants and two sub- lieutenants were added to each company and two adjutants and two sub-adjutants were added to the regimental staff.

The uniform was a turkish blue tail coat, collar and turnbacks yellow, horizontal buttonholes of yellow thread forming a lapel, sardinetas on the sleeves over the cuff, perpendicular pockets with three loops and bugles embroidered on the turnbacks, blue trousers with a yellow stripe, a black shako with a patent leather top band and yellow pom-pom, the shield bearing embossed crossed rifles and a bugle over them, with the inscription “Tiradores de la Guardia”.

The medio uniform was a blue tunic with collar and piping yellow and sardinetas on the sleeve, grey trousers and an oilcloth cover on the shako.

By the decree of 26th July 1854, tunics were to be worn in garrison.

LIGHT INFANTRY BATTALION OF GUIDES OF THE GUARD

The staff and organisation was as that of the tiradores.

By the 26th July 1854 decree, another two lieutenants and two sub-lieutenants were added to each company and two adjutants and two sub-adjutants were added to the regimental staff.

The uniform was a dark green tail coat with collar, cuff, turnbacks and piping light blue, horizontal buttonholes of yellow thread forming a lapel, sardinetas over the cuff, and two bugles embroidered on the turnbacks. Epaulettes were green. The trousers were as the coat with a light blue stripe, gold for officers, and the shako was black with a patent leather band and green top band, short plume of green and as a shield the national arms of the eagle with the words “Guias de la Guardia”.

The medio uniform was a dark green tunic with collar and cuff light blue, sardinetas on the sleeve and green trousers with blue stripes. The shako had a small pom-pom and the initials of the corps. A campaign dress was specified, of a lead-grey linen blouse with a light blue collar and cuff, linen trousers of blue and white stripes, and a straw or palm-leaf hat with a light blue band.

Armament was to be a Minié carbine although for the time being a percussion rifle was to be used.

By the decree of 26th July 1854, tunics were to be worn in garrison.

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