Alcântara Cavalry

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised on November 15 1707.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:

• since November 11 1759: Dom Diogo de Noronha, 3rd Marquis Marialva
• from September 17 1761: Dom Pedro de Meneses, 4th Marquis de Marialva
• from May 25 1762 to May 30 1775: Dom Fernando José Lobo da Silveira, baron de Alvito and count de Oriola

Service during the War

During the campaign of 1762, was initially attached to the main Anglo-Portuguese army where its 3 troops were deployed in the first line of cavalry of the right wing. On October 31, brigadier Fraser commanded a column composed of 2nd Moura Infantry (Monney), 9 Portuguese grenadier coys (under lieutenant-colonel Michaelis), Alcântara Cavalry and Aveiro Cavalry; recently reinforced by 2nd Lisboa Infantry (count da Ponte), 1st Lagos Infantry (count de Vimieiro) and 2nd Faro Infantry (Francisco de Lima) with 4 mountain pieces. This corps occupyed the heights between Mação and Val da Velha

Uniform

Very little is known about the uniform of this regiment during the Seven Years' War. By 1740, the coat was white (not alvadia) lined red with red cuffs and collar; the waistcoat and breeches were red. We don't know if this uniform remained unchanged throughout the Seven Years War. However, an illustration depicting the regiment in 1783, still shows red cuffs and red turnbacks (therefore red-lining), but with yellow breeches.

Colours

The exact pattern of the Portuguese colonel colours during the Seven Years' War is unknown.

The ordonnance colours were chosen by the colonel of the regiment. For the moment, we have found no source depicting specific colours for this regiment.

References

Amaral, Manuel, O Exértico Português em finais do Antiguo Regime

Kirby, Mike, The Portuguese Army - Seven Years War, Seven Years War Association Journal, Vol. XII No. 3

Pereira Sales, Ernesto Augusto; O Conde de Lippe em Portugal, Vila Nova de Famalicao: Publicacoes da Comissao de Historia Militar, 1936

Ribeiro Rodrigues, Manuel A.; 300 Anos de Uniformes Militares do Exército de Portugal 1660-1960, Exército Portugués and Sociedade Historica da Independéncia de Portugal, 1998

Acknowledgment

Manuel Ribeiro Rodrigues and Joseph O'Neill for the information and counselling provided for this article.