Table of Contents
Background Information
Spanish
Here's what information I have about Spanish uniforms. I've marked up where I have models that fit, in addition to the definite matches, I have the following that could fit and where I've no historic information:
- Blue coats, round hats, yellow facings. 2bn.
- Blue coats, tarletons. 1bn.
- Brown coats, shako, yellow facings (Toledo). 2bn.
- Light infantry (green jackets and tarletons). 1bn.
| Regiment | Regulation | Dempsey | Bueno | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navarra | Dark blue facings | White and blue | ||
| Princesa | Purple facings | White and black | ||
| Provincial de Oviedo | Red facings | White and red | ||
| Villaviciosa | NA | |||
| Candas y Luanco | NA | |||
| Castropol | NA | Shako; white jacket; red collar and cuffs; white turnbacks; white overalls | ||
| Pravia | NA | Shako; blue jacket; red collar, cuffs, and turnbacks; blue overalls | Blue and red | |
| Cangas de Tineo | NA | Shako; brown jacket; green lapels and cuffs; yellow collar; white turnbacks; brown overalls | Brown, green, yellow | |
| Voluntarios Leales de Fernando VII | NA | |||
| Voluntarios de Sevilla | NA | |||
| Voluntarios de Madrid | NA | |||
| Voluntarios de la Patria | NA | Shako; green jacket; green lapels; red collar, cuffs, and turnbacks; white overalls | Shako; green jacket and lapels; white waistcoat and pants; red collar and turnbacks | Yes |
| Provincial de Ciudad Rodrigo | Red facings | |||
| Provincial de Siguenza | Red facings |
Chartrand sets out the various bulk deliveries of uniform sent to Spain by Britain during the war. He suggests says that Castropol is documented as wearing white with red facing (although the his illustrations show lapels on the jacket) and suggests that the whole of Ballasteros' division would have been equipped in the same way before leaving Asturias.
This is an interesting blog with some more information captured from a Bueno book I probably can't find.
Individual Regiment Notes
Ballasteros division was created in Asturias and fought there, beaten and retreated to Gijon where it was reconstructed before heading south.
Candas y Luanca
In 1810, the Regiment participated in battles at Zalamea la Real and Aracena . On August 19, Ballesteros decided to send the regiment back to Asturias. Upon its return, it was integrated into the so-called Asturian Squadrons , along with the Covadonga and Villaviciosa regiments , and was responsible for recruitment in Asturias and Galicia . From then on, they formed the 2nd Asturias Regiment. At that time, it numbered 840 men.
Cangas de Tineo
This page also contains interesting information about Ballasteros' division in general.
References
Chartrand, Rene Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2) (Osprey, Oxford, 1999)
Dempsey, Guy Albuera 1811 (Pen & Sword Books, Barnsley, 2008)
Partridge, Richard and Oliver, Michael Napoleonic Army Handbook, The British Army and Her Allies (Constable & Robinson Ltd, London, 1999)