There is three dominant opinions as to the color of the uniform worn by Royalist troops in Latin America. The Knotel book on uniforms states that uniforms were Turquoise and by 1821 lapels were no longer used. The Marquez-Allison brothers article on the Army in Chile states that the infantry and artillery uniform was the traditional white linen as opposed to the Turquoise blue of native Spain. This is a good alternative for that area and is supported by some artwork. The artwork of garrisons in Cuba and Florida for that era show white linen uniforms being worn.

Eye witness reports from the battle of Maipo in Chile state that "...Spanish infantry wore gray uniforms with visible white cross-belts, the Cavalry wore blue and the Dragoons wore red... the Patriot infantry wore blue uniforms.." This may have been an off-white shade such as unbleached linen would provide rather than gray.

I imagine that the troops which arrived with Morillo and later reinforcements would have worn their current uniform issue which would have been a shade of blue. Several sources indicate that the term for the tunic color was Turkish Blue not turquoise which could have been any of the various shades of dark blue. The uniform's shade of blue would have varied with production run of the cloth. Frankly with supply difficulties, reinforcements from Spain, limited usage time for the uniforms and other problems, I would expect that both white and blue uniforms of various shades would have been worn.

In regard to Loyalist units raised by the Spanish, I would suspect that they would have been issued a locally made white uniform. There is no firm evidence that I have seen of uniforms being shipped from Spain for issue to Loyalist troops. While the turquoise color would have been attractive and would not have faded as quickly in hot weather climates, most artistic evidence supports a darker shade of blue option. By choosing the mid-blue or white options, a painter or gamer will be better able to distinguish Royalist from Patriot forces.

The color of trousers followed the European practice of being white in hot climates and during the summer. During the winter months or in harsh climates a darker, often blue, color of trousers were used. Often trousers had a side stripe in the distinctive color of the collar or lapel. Officer uniforms were supplied by the individual had a lot of gold braid sewn. Musicians uniforms were as the men but with gold/silver chevrons. Cavalry musicians wore reverse coat colors. These were supplied by the commander. Drum gold body with blue rim.

White leather equipment was common. Knapsacks were natural cowhide. White gaiters. Shakos had white linen covers. Cockade = red. Shako plume = White unless noted different Flank Cazadore Companies had Turquoise wing rolls, green plume and shako bands. Flank Grenadier Companies were authorized to wear a French Bearskin but most units wore the shako in America. The shako had a red plume and bands. Caza = Cazadore/ Light Infantry; Carb = Carbineer Cavalry; HUS = Hussar V.G. = Viceroy Guard/ Escort Troops for New Grenada and Peru Artillerymen had red shako cords and bands, Horse Arty crew had yellow cords and bands. Morte Squadron was Fanatically loyal priests wearing altered clerical cloth.

1. Some sources have colors different (after the /)
2. Don Antonio Rgt may AKA Infante
3. Curo Volante wears a white hat of flat crown with wide brim. It has a red crown band.
4. Sh. Straps = Shoulder Straps. For Cavalry that column is for other items as noted. WC = Waistcoat; (#) = Cavalry wears a bicorne Pel = Hussar Pelisse; Dol = Hussar Dolman; Del Reina Rgt did not have pelisses or Dolmans.

Regiment	Coat	Collar	Cuffs	Lapels	Sh Straps	Trousers
Burgos (1)	Turquoise	Lgt Blu/Y	Purple/Y	Green	Lgt Blue	White
Granada	Turquoise	Red	Red	N/A	White	White
Infante (2)	Turquoise	Scarlet	Scarlet	Purple	Scarlet	White
La Reina	Turquoise	Red	Red	Green	Red	White
Numancia	Turquoise	Lgt Blue	Lgt Blue	Lgt Blue	Red	White
Principe	Turquoise	Lgt Blue	Purple	Purple	Lgt Blue	White
Valency	Turquoise	Purple	Scarlet		Purple	White
Barbastro Caza	Sky Blue	Red	Red	White	White	Sky Blue
Cachiri Caza	Sky Blue	Red	Red	White	White	Sky Blue
Don Antonio	Turquoise	Crimson	Crimson	Purple	Crimson	White
Abascal-Carb #	Dark Blue	Red	Dark Blue	Red	WC-Red	White
HUS Fernando	Dark Green Pel-Dol	Yellow	Yellow	-	Black fur	Gray/Yel Parade
V.G. Cav #	Dark Blue	Red	Red	Red	WC-Red	White
Del Rey Lance	Red	-	-	-	-	White
HUS La Reina	White	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	-	White
Morte Sqdn	Black	Black	Black	Black	-	Black
Curo Volante	Mid-Blue	Purple	Purple	Purple ?	Red Sash	White
Artillerymen	Dark Blue	Red	Red	Dk Blue	-	White
Peru Militia	Turquoise	Red	Red	Red	-	Turquoise
Colonial Alt(4)	White	Lgt Blue	Lgt Blue	Lgt Blue	Lgt Blue	White

Latin American Wars: Uniform Notes

Royalists
Army of New Grenada
Andean Liberation Army
Creole Forces of Upper Peru and Peru