The Spanish Army during this era were in a transition of uniforms. I am not sure if the new 1850 uniforms had been issued to the regiments in Cuba at the time of the 1850 expedition or even by the later 1851 expedition.

INFANTRY.

The 1847 style was very similar to the uniform worn by the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American war with that tall tapered kepi. The coatee was of a dark blue material, the collar and cuffs and turn-backs were white with blue collar patches. The pants were white in summer and all year around in Cuba. The straps and cross-belts were white for most regiments. They had regimental numbers on gold buttons. The 1850 uniform changed to a dark blue tunic with red collar and cuffs. The low crown shako was black with lace and a pompom. The lace and pompom was in distinctive colors: green for rifles, red for grenadiers and yellow for the center/fusilier companies. The greatcoat was blue-gray with red collar patches. In Cuba white pants continued to be worn. The ros shako of the 1850s had not yet been introduced to Cuban garrisons.

ARTILLERY.

The artillery crew wore infantry style uniform dark blue in color with red collars and cuffs. Their pants may have also been blue in Cuba.

CAVALRY.

The lancers were the main cavalry used in Cuba. Lancers in the 1850s adopted a steel helmet with white plume. The tunic was blue with a red collar and shoulder wings. The lance pennant was red over yellow. There is some comments that indicate that the lancers may have worn a wide brim hat in Cuba.

SPANISH CUBAN GARRISON NOTES:

Several of the illustrations of the conflicts show Spanish troops wearing White very baggy coats, white pants and a white or straw colored wide-brim hat. The cuffs and collar colors seem to be red. I do not know if these were contemporary drawing or later renderings.

Lopez's Filibuster Expedition to Cuba 1850-1851

Introduction
Uniforms and Flags
Spanish Colonial Uniforms of the 1850s
Unit Organization
Battles and Scenarios 1850
Battles and Scenarios 1851
Notes for Wargamers