Santiago Cavalry

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised on 15 June 1703, during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-13) in the Kingdom of Galicia from independent companies. Rosellon Cavalry also contributed one company to the creation of the new regiment. In 1704, the regiment took part in the relief of Ciudad Rodrigo; in 1705, in the relief of Badajoz; in 1706, in the relief of Salamanca and in an incursion in in Portugal; in 1707, in an engagement near Ciudad Rodrigo, and in the siege and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo. In 1708, the regiment patrolled the frontiers of Castile and Extremadura. In 1709, it took part in the Battle of La Gudiña, in the blockade of Olivenza and in several incursions in Portugal under the command of General Montenegro. In 1710, it took part in an expedition in Portugal, in the decisive Combat of Villaviciosa. It later served in various locations in Aragon and Catalonia. In 1711, it took part in the siege and capture of Prats del Rey. In 1713, it fought against partisans in Catalonia and took part in the blockade of Barcelona. In 1714, it continued to serve against the insurgents in Catalonia.

In 1732, the regiment took part in the reconquest of Oran and then returned to Barcelona.

In 1733, at the outbreak of the War of the Polish Succession (1733-35), the regiment marched to Antibes in France to take part in the invasion of Italy. It then sailed from Antibes to La Spezzia in Tuscany, captured the forts of Lunegiana, Venza and Maza and marched to Apulia to join the army. In 1734, the regiment took part in the reconquest of the Kingdom of Naples and in the Battle of Bitonto. In Bari, it was forced to surrender and then retired to Tuscany. In 1735, it took part in the invasion of Lombardy, in the engagement of Quingentalle, and in the siege and capture of Mirandola. It then retired to Tuscany and re-embarked for Spain where it took up cantonments in Igualada.

In 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48), the regiment was sent to Italy, marching through Roussillon, Provence and Dauphinée. It then took part in the siege and capture of Tortona, in the Battle of Bassignano, and in the siege of Valencia. In 1746, it participated in the surprise attack on Codogno, in the Battle of Piacenza, and in the Battle of Rottofreddo before retreating to Nice from where it returned to Spain.

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

• no information available yet

Service during the War

On July 4 1762, the regiment received orders to march to Extremadura to join the army assembling for the planned invasion of Portugal. From July 6 to August 25, the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Almeida. It then participated in a reconnaissance on Villareal. On September 29, it fought in an engagement at Castel-bom and later in an encounted near Fondon. At the end of the campaign, it retired to Extremadura.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1759 - Source: Ibrahim90

Uniform Details as per
the Album de Taccoli of 1759

Headgear	black tricorne laced silver with a red cockade fastened with a white button
Neck stock	white
Coat	dark blue with white buttons on the right side, 1 white button on each side in the small of the back and 4 small white buttons on each side to fasten the basques Collar none Shoulder straps white aiguillette on the right shoulder Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 4 white buttons Cuffs red, each with 4 small white buttons Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	red with white buttons, horizontal pockets with white buttons
Breeches	dark blue
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt none Waistbelt none Cartridge Box n/a Scabbard n/a Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth red laced with a wide white braid decorated with a thin red braid Housings red laced with a wide white braid decorated with a thin red braid Blanket roll n/a

Officers

no information available yet

Musicians

Musicians wore a uniform with reversed colours: red coat with dark blue facings.

Colours

no information available yet

References

This article is mostly made of abridged and adapted excerpts from the following books which are now in the public domain:

• Clonard, Conde de, Historia Orgánica de las Armas de Infantería y Caballería
  • vol. XIV, Madrid, 1851-62, p. 379
  • vol. XV, Madrid, 1851-62, pp. 144-156

Other sources

Album de Taccoli, 1759

Acknowledgment

Juan José Torres and the Asociación Cultural de Modelismo Histórico Alabarda for the information and counselling provided for this article.