These notes are estimations based on comments in other sources mainly internet sites. Many are just side comments without a focus on these topics. Most of the countries followed similar troop organizations and choices of uniform styles. In the early years (between 1825-1850) Mexican styles were dominant. After 1850, the countries employed a number of advisors from other countries to help set up military academies, standardize organizations and establish uniform regulations. Therefore using the uniform patterns from the country of the various advisors may provide some insight on the particular style wore at a given period of the 1800s. There never were enough uniforms and many forces would have been hastily raised. As such many troops such as militias, guerillas, and other levies would have worn daily dress with identifying patches or armbands. I will publish supplemental articles in future issues on uniforms and organizations, if and when I obtain additional data.

If I had to standardize unit compositions for gaming purposes, I would follow the following guidelines. The basic Operational level (their forces were never so large as to correctly apply the term strategic) unit would be the DIVISION. A Division would consist of THREE BATTALIONS. A battalion averaged 550 men. The battalion would be divided into a battalion level staff plus NINE COMPANIES of SIXTY men.

The few notes that I have seen suggested a traditional Center, Left and Right forward deployment with a reserve formation. Multi-national forces operated troops in divisions of same nationality. Battalions tended to be raised from the same region with companies from the same town or area inside a specific region.

In regard to national flags carried, the ‘Flags of the World website has from very nice color representations of the ‘historical’ flags carried by the various countries and factions. It should be noted that the Central American Federation (Union) flag was carried priori to 1850 by most of the ‘Liberal’ forces whether they controlled a government or not.

COSTA RICA

The first incidence of Costa Rica troops carrying a ‘national’ flag rather than the ‘Union’ banner was when they sent troops to oust Walker’s filibusters. Illustrations of the Walker expedition shows Costa Rican troops in light colored clothing with wide brimmed hats. A statue raised in honor of a fallen Costa Rican hero of one of the Walker battle shows a drummer wearing a USA style 1960s kepi. While Costa Rica may have worn this style of cap during the 1950s, it may have been the popular style of cap worn at the time the statue was raised in the 1860s as an attempt to relate the earlier heroism to a current patriotic need for inspiration.

GUATEMALA

A division in 1863 is called the ‘Vicentia’. Also in 1863 in a Coalition force is noted as having the ‘Guatemala’ Division. In the 1906 invasion of Salvador, the army is noted as having modern repeating rifles.

HONDURAS

In 1851 in a Coalition force is noted as having the ‘Honduras’ Division of 1500 men. For the 1906 and 1907 conflicts the same uniform was worn. Representations of the troops show a dark gray (or blue) kepi of the USA style being worn by both officers and men. Officer pants are shown as a dark blue with a dark blue long (USA Civil War) dark blue coat. Men are shown wearing gray pants and a white or off-white (egg-shell) coatee. The trim is red on some uniforms but I am not positive about facing colors.

LOS ALTOS

This region of Guatemala was originally independent but eventually annexed. They had their own flag and raised forces on several occasions. Battalions and combat units are raised by city and fight as a ‘town’ unit. “Quetzaltengo and Totonicapan mobilize their troops from support to the villas of Solola and Mazatenango, to guarantee adhesion of these territories”. There is a note of a company of “50 soldiers of San Marco “ and “120 recruits of Quetzaltenango” (Two companies). This gives a good estimation of company size of averaging 50-60 men. One battalion was called ‘Vencesdra’ and a division ‘Los Altos’ that contained Cavalry, infantry and artillery units.

NICAGRAGUA

In the 1907 conflicts the same uniform was worn. Representations of the troops shows troops wearing a tan/yellowish wide brim hat ( so may have been straw) with tan and white pants. The shirt was light blue with red facings. This was the same uniform worn by both cavalry and foot troops.

SALVADOR

The initial Salvador Army is organized as a quick reaction force with the ‘regular’ troops being Light Cavalry with Independent Squadrons of Dragoons attached to major towns. In 1851 an Salvador command fielded four Salvador divisions of about 1500 men each plus a guard reserve unit of 250 men. In 1851 Salvador employs Columbian Advisors for training and uniforms, so the uniforms may be modeled on the Columbian design.

In 1856 battalions are noted as having around 550 men in one battalion. This matches other notations concerning divisions or forces of about 1500 men.

In 1863, Barrios’ reserve in one battle included two companies of ‘Honor Guard’ plus the Virolinas Division. In the 1860s the Salvador army employs French advisors.

One Division in 1885 is called the Jalapa Division.

In 1906-07 the Salvador Army consisted of three formations of troops. The lowest was the Militia that consisted of 93 Battalions based as garrisons or using towns as muster points. The second formation was called the Reserve, consisted of 18 Battalions and was based at the capital (San Salvador) to be used as a reaction force. The best-trained force was the Active army and was often used for missions outside of the country. It consisted of 26 Battalions. A battalion consisted of around 630 men and officers. Logistical notes list enough uniforms for only the Active and Reserve units. Soldiers are noted as being armed with machetes and ‘old’ single shot rifles.

Regimental Names included ‘San Salvador’, ‘Vincentino’ and ‘Santa Ana’ with the Active Army Regiment being also numbered the 1st.

Crisis in Central America 1800s

Introduction
Chronology of Conflicts
Significant Battles
Organization Notes and Uniforms
Central American Personalities