Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

1740s Spanish Overseas Troops of New Spain

Independent Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry Companies
Presidio de San Agustin (St. Augustine)

Modern Uniform Regulations

and Accepted Accessories Standards
Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers

2013.01 EDITION
Revised 4-22-2013 by DWS
 The Spanish Living History Interpretive Program

As living history interpreters we are agreeing to become the ambassadors of history. We

should strive to provide the visitor with the most authentic experience possible. Everything
we do and wear, reflects on our program. We all must be aware, that as individuals, we
have a bearing on our group as a whole.

It is essential that we portray the individuals that we are representing accurately. This
means you must give the proper interpretation by not only knowing the history but also
wearing the uniform and military accessories correctly and in their entirety. Only items
appropriate to that uniform should be worn and all must be period appropriate to the 1740s.
If you wear modern items such as class rings, wristwatches, non-period glasses or
sunglasses, sunglass cases, jewelry, etc… or if you use your cell phone in public, you are
failing to interpret a 1740s Spanish Soldier accurately. Modern items should be either
hidden from public view or left at home.

The small details that we wear are important to the overall interpretation of a Spanish
Soldier. This appearance is what we convey to the visitor, and it is this appearance that the
visitor will photograph and document. In some instances, the visitor will base essays,
articles, compositions and sometimes historical data, on what we wear, so it must be
accurate. We should always follow the historical military uniform standards of the time
period we portray.

The “Garrison Regimental Uniform” and its accessories, as described in this document, is
the PRIMARY uniform that will be worn for all functions and events. The “Garrison
Regimental Uniform” should be the first uniform acquired by new volunteers.

The Castillo de San Marcos N.M. in no way wishes to prevent individuals from assembling
and wearing other uniforms in our time period. These include the secondary Garrison
uniform (white daily use coat) or those that represent units that served in St. Augustine
during the 1740s. These units include the five Spanish regular Peninsular Army regiments
(Asturias, Cantabria, Catalonia, Murcia and Valencia) that were in St. Augustine from 1738
to 1749, as well as the Spanish Marines that were in St. Augustine from time to time. These
uniforms may be worn as approved by the Castillo de San Marcos N.M..

All uniform styles currently worn are "grandfathered" in. All new uniforms shall meet these
regulation standards. All accessories shall meet these regulations. Failure to abide by
these regulations may result in loss of volunteer hours until said regulations are followed.

It should be remembered that uniform standards are continually evolving, based on

updated research and general consensus of historians and researchers.
 Spanish Overseas Soldier Uniform
Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
(Excluding Grenadiers and Dragoons)

Garrison Head Coverings

Sombrero Tricorno
Tricorn Hat
Black felt hat with a large brim folded to make three vertical flaps (sides). All three flaps
should be equal size. The flaps should be folded crisp and flat (not curled) and held in place
by an 3/32” or 1/8” wide flat black chord (each end of the chord runs through the crown of the
hat to the outside, down the sides of the flap about 1 ½” to 2”, back through and tied inside the
hat crown). The hat trim is yellow worsted wool or gold colored silk
lace, 1” wide and runs around the top of the flap. The two ends of
this trim meet at the top center of the rear flap. A 3/4” diameter plain
flat brass button should be on the left side, centered side to side and
about 2/3rds up from the bottom of the flap. The flaps should be
close to the same height or just slightly lower than the hat crown.

Escarapela
Cockade
Red wool or felt worn on the left brim of the Tricorn. It is held in
place with a 3/32” or 1/8” wide flat black chord (the chord will loop
around the brass button of the Tricorn hat, both ends up the flap
and into the crown of the hat, tied inside the hat crown). The
cockade is then tucked under this chord and lies above the button.
The cockade should be replaced immediately when soiled or faded for this is the
representation of or mother country and all that is holy, Spain.
(a) When flat, the cockade cloth should be 4” wide and 7” high.
(b) Fold the cockade accordion style from the top down in about 12 folds.
(c) The finished shape should be a bow, the ends of the bow higher than the middle, or
a semi rosette.

(a) (b) (c)

Bomete
Work/Fatigue Cap
Blue wool sock with red wool short-peak at the front. The peak shall have
yellow wool trim. A yellow wool Andrew's cross for Infantry or a yellow wool
Flamulas (flaming grenade) for Artillery.
This cap is to be worn for work related details or off duty times.

Tapa del Cráneo

Skull Cap
Blue skull cap, 18th century style.
Worn as a night cap in the barracks only for off duty.
 Garrison Regimental Uniform

Regimiento Casaca
Regimental Coat
Full coat with no collar in regimental blue wool, lined with red linen, cotton,
cotton canvas or muslin (fine red wool can be substituted). Large red wool
tube/bucket/basket cuffs. The cut of the coat is French style with full skirts.
The skirts should have functional hook and eyes for turnbacks when in-the-
field. (This is to bring the front and back corners together, keeping the lower
face of the coat protected) (Turnbacks are not worn for regular duty at the
Castillo or within the city walls). Pocket flaps are scalloped style. There are
a minimum of *27 flat brass buttons 1” in diameter. 4 on each cuff, minimum
of *3 for each pocket flap, 1 ea side of the waist (2 total), 1 at the back and a
minimum of *11 down the front, running from the neck to the bottom of the
coat.
* Original Spanish regulations for the number of buttons:
36 flat brass buttons, 1” dia – 4 on ea cuff, 5 per pocket flap (3 functional, 2
decorative), 1 ea side of the waist (2 total), 1 at the back and 15 down the front.
This coat is the main dress coat worn during military ceremonies on cooler and cold months of
the year. During regular duties only the top button would be buttoned. When going into battle,
the coat is buttoned from the neck to the waist.

Regimiento Chupa
Regimental Waistcoat
Sleeved waistcoat with no collar or cuffs, in red wool, linen or cotton
canvas, lined in white or raw linen. The cut of the waistcoat is French style.
The pocket flaps are scalloped style. There are a minimum of *27 flat brass
buttons 3/4” in diameter. 4 on ea sleeve, 3 per pocket flap, 1 ea side of the
waist (2 total), and a minimum of *11 down the front, running from the neck
to the bottom of the waistcoat.
- ALTERNATE -
Unsleeved waistcoat with no collar, in red wool or linen, lined in white linen
or cotton. The cut of the waistcoat is French style. The pocket flaps are
scalloped style. There are a minimum of 19 brass buttons, 3/4” in diameter.
3 per pocket flap, 1 ea side of the waist (2 total), and a minimum of 11
down front, running from the neck to the bottom of the waistcoat.
• The waistcoat is buttoned from the neck down with the last three
bottom buttons unbuttoned.
• In 1740, both Infantry and Artillery wore the same uniform. There was no difference in color
of the uniform between the two disciplines. The color did not identify “Artillery” for the
garrison of St. Augustine until 1753.
* Original Spanish regulations for the number of buttons:
30 flat brass buttons, 3/4” dia – 4 on ea cuff, 3 per pocket flap (1 functional and 2 decorative), 1 ea side of
the waist (2 total), 14 down the front.
** The serving living history organizations in St. Augustine may designate the use of the waistcoat ONLY,
for weapons demonstrations during extreme heat (summer wear). In this case, the waistcoat may be
either long or short sleeved.

Regimiento Calzones
Regimental Breeches
French fly breeches, regimental blue wool, linen or cotton canvas, lined with
white or raw linen. The legs come down just below the knees. There are 13 flat
brass buttons, 1/2” to 5/8” in diameter. 4 at each leg and 5 at the fly.
Camisa
Shirt
Plain white linen, cotton or muslim with plain cuffs, long tails and a short
stand-up collar. Buttons of bone, horn or wood. Tied sleeves and collar
are acceptable (a full collared shirt is acceptable only if the cravat wraps
around the neck, over the shirt and completely hides the collar
underneath. NO PART OF THE FULL COLLAR SHOULD BE VISABLE).
Privates and NCOs should not have lace cuffs.
This was also a night shirt so it would always be covered on duty
and in town. The shirt can be exposed during off-duty times in the
guard’s room or under an apron while cleaning a musket. The shirt
is also a nightshirt, and it would be improper to expose it in public.

Corbata
Cravat/Neck stock
Plain white linen or cotton (no patterned or colored cloth). Size shall be 60” to 72” in length and
3” to 6” wide. The cravat may be tied in either the “Mail Coach” or “Horse Collar” styles.
• Mail Coach or Waterfall Style:
Start with one end of the Cravat 6” to 8” down from the center of the
neck, wrap the long end around the neck and tie a single knot at the
center of the neck. Then wrap around the neck to the front, bringing
the end up behind the knot and over, spreading it out (like a
waterfall) to completely hide the knot. Tuck both ends into the top of
the waistcoat.
-or-
Start with one end of the Cravat 6” to 8” down from the center of the neck, wrap the long
end twice around the neck to the front. Bring the end, centered at the front of the neck,
up under/behind the cravat and over, spreading it out (like a waterfall) to completely hide
the knot. Tuck both ends into the top of the waistcoat.
• Horse Collar Style:
Start with the cravat centered on the neck and wrap both ends
around the neck and bring them to the front. Make a single knot
and either:
1. Tuck the two ends into the top center of the waistcoat neck
hole
2. Twist them together and tuck them into a button-hole
(eyelet) of the waistcoat.

Over one hundred cravat tying styles were recognized in this time period.
No silk or lace cravats should be worn by NCOs or privates.

Medias
Stockings
Red cotton, linen or wool. Worn up over the knee and under the breeches.

Ligas
Garters
Black or brown leather 3/8” to 1/2” wide with brass buckles. Worn just
below the knee.
Worn around the leg to hold up the stockings.
Zapatos
Shoes
Black leather, straight last or left/right style with a large tongue and a
brass buckle.
For safety reasons, the leather soles may be replaced with
rubber.
Non-period shoes: Modern “comfort or therapeutic” type
shoes will be permitted for health and safety reasons,
provided they are black with some type of brass buckle
attached, have no visible company logos and resemble the
footwear of the period. (Get approval from the Castillo de San
Marcos N.M. before purchasing)

Secondary Garrison Coat (Optional)

This may be worn during hot summer months for regular duties.
(check with the Castillo de San Marcos N.M. for approved months)

el Uso Diario Casaca

Daily Use Coat
Raw linen coat with a raw linen fold down collar and red cuffs. The pocket flaps
are scalloped style. There are 20 buttons, 1” in diameter. 8 down the front, neck
to the waist, 3 per cuff and 3 at each pocket flap.

Garrison Weapons and Accessories

Cinta
Waist Belt
Brown leather belt (smooth out) 1 ½” to 2” wide with brass figure
eight or spectacle shaped buckle.

Espada Cinta y Rana

Sword Belt with Frog Rig
Brown leather belt (smooth out) 1 ½” to 2” wide with
brass figure eight or spectacle shaped buckle. The
bayonet was on a separate frog from the sword frog -or-
bayonet and sword were worn above and below each
other on a single frog. Frog rigs can either be stitched
directly to the waist belt or with loops for adjusting.

Cartuchera
Cartridge Box
Brown leather cover (smooth out) surrounding a wooden
insert with 9 holes for cartridges. Double brown leather flap
(smooth side out) with the crown of Spain on the front outer flap.
Espada y Vaina
Sword and Scabbard
Hanger type, brass hilt, about 25” long, somewhat curved.
Black leather scabbard with brass tips.

Bayoneta y Vaina
Bayonet and Scabbard
Metal bayonet for the musket. Brown leather scabbard.
A number of companies that sell muskets also sell bayonets. Do
not purchase a bayonet alone without first knowing what musket
style you are buying.

Machete de Cinta y Vaina

Belt Machete and Scabbard (not required)
Wooden handle, standard design 18” to 24” in length. Scabbard
of brown leather with belt loop.
The machete would replace the sword in the field. It is
not worn for regular duty at the fort nor in and around the
city.

Fusil
Musket
Early 18th century flintlock style. Appropriate
commercially available working reproductions of
Spanish, French or British musket.
When choosing a replica musket, consider acquiring
a style of musket that was produced prior to the
1740. This would be more period appropriate to
the current living history program we are
portraying.

Batir y Pico
Whisk and Pick (not required)
No standard military issue. Chain type.
For cleaning the pan or clearing the vent hole. Attached to
one of the upper uniform buttons for easy access.

Herramienta de Mosquete
Musket Tool (not required)
No standard military issue. Metal style with hammer, flat-head
and vent pick recommended.
Used for tightening bolts and jaw screw for the musket
and hammering the flint when it becomes dull. Some also
used to clear vent hole in the musket. Stored in the
cartridge box.

Estuche
Powder Flask (not required)
Spanish military issue, brass dispenser with horn body with a white cotton chord. It is
worn over the left shoulder and rests on the right side, just below the waist belt.
This is not to be filled with black powder for safety reasons. They can be filled
with a black sand or Skat-Blast (a fine, black sandblasting compound).
 Recommended Items

Polainas
Gaiters (not required)
White sail cloth or heavy canvas. Worn over the shoes, stockings and the bottom
of the breeches. It has 15 white metal or bone buttons.
These are worn in the field to protect the legs.
They are not worn for regular duty at the fort nor in and around the city.

Bolsa
Haversack (not required but recommended)
No standard military issue. White duck, natural linen or brown leather.
This is used to carry personal items either in the field or to and from
the Castillo. It is not carried for regular duties in and around the city.

Cantimplora
Canteen (not required)
No standard military issue. Gourd, clay, leather bota or wood keg
style with leather straps (no round wood or metal types).
This is carried in the field. It is not carried for regular duty
at the fort nor in and around the city.

Taza
Cup (not required but recommended)
Pewter, ceramic, leather, horn or wood,
18th century style.

Accessories (not required)

Belduque Español
Spanish Belduque
Spanish fighting knife. 15 ½” overall length with an 11”
blade. Brown leather scabbard. Used when on guard
duty and in the field.
Documents show that Spanish troops on guard duty carried a Belduque or other
types of long hand knives. One case, a Spanish guard almost decapitated his
assailant with one stroke of this Belduque in a hand-to-hand skirmish.

Guantes
Gloves
Fingerless gloves, natural rag wool color.
Good for cold days. The fingerless style does not impede the
ability to load and fire the musket.

Mochila
Backpack
Brown leather or linen backpack used for field operations to carry
all of the items needed to eat, fish, clean, drink, sleep, etc…
It is not worn for regular duty at the fort nor in and around
the city.
Mocasín
MOCCASINS
These are 18th century Indian style shoes made of leather.
They could be worn for off duty hours only.

General

Hair Style
The hair was pulled back to the rear of the head and tied into a “queue” with
leather or black ribbon (do not wear modern “scrunchies”). The queue can
also be worn in a black hair bag.
If you are not inclined to grow long hair, a plain black
scarf can be worn and tied in the back to give a period
appearance (patterned or colored scarves are worn by
Pirates, not Spanish soldiers).

Facial Hair
A mustache or goatee may be worn.
All of the European military was clean shaven in 1740, including the Spanish. It is
possible that in the New World, pure-blood Spanish might have grown facial hair to
distinguish themselves from the locally born mixed-bloods which were unable to grow
facial hair.

Spectacles (Eye Glasses)

Pewter (silver), copper, gold or black metal frames with round lenses. Lenses can be clear or
tinted (depending on what stage of syphilis you want to represent). No modern sun glasses
allowed.
Oval frames were not introduced until later in the 18th century and
should not be worn. Ear rests should not be modern material but
wrapped with yarn.

Medals and Orders

Medals were worn by officers if they were members of military fraternities, noble orders related
to military service, or noble family crests.
Before wearing any military medals, there shall be documentation submitted
to the Castillo de San Marcos, N.M. for approval. The approval process shall
consider the history of the medal, the time period that the medal was
created, what military service the medal was given to and the rank for whom
would have worn it.

Buying and wearing modern Spanish medals might be viewed as an insult to the
recipients of these medals or to the Spanish Crown and might also be illegal. Therefore,
wearing modern Spanish military medals shall not be permitted.

Accessories
These might include a rosary, period cross necklace, religious medals, handkerchief or a clay
pipe, etc....
Rosary: It was kept in the pocket and would be taken out to recite the rosary.
Religious medals: These were a personal item and worn next to the skin. They were not
worn outside the uniform.
Handkerchief: This was often kept tucked in the cuff of the coat.
Clay Pipes: If kept on the hat, they were generally carried on the back flap.
 NCO Rank Distinctions

Spanish non-commissioned officers, not unlike today, wore uniforms that distinguished them from
the rank and file of the privates. This insured that in battle, commands were given from the official in
charge. It also aided in the military structure and organization.

Cabo
Distinction: One stripe of yellow worsted wool or gold colored silk lace
on the cuff of the coat. ½” (one finger) wide stripe
continuing around the top edge of the cuff.
Pole Arm: A partisan (a short spearhead decorated at the base by two
wings in the form of a crescent) may be carried while on duty.
(the pole is 6’-6” long)
Walking Stick: A walking stick of wood may be carried and used to administer
punishment* while drilling.

Sargento
Distinction: Two stripes of yellow worsted wool or gold colored silk lace
on the cuff of the coat. One ½” (one finger) wide stripe at the
top edge of the cuff and one 1” (two fingers) wide stripe 2”
below the top stripe (below the cuff button stitching).
Pole Arm: A halberd, also called sargentina (a spearhead in the
shape of a hatchet or axe) may be carried while on duty.
(the pole is 6’-6” long)
Walking Stick: A walking stick of wood may be carried and used to
administer punishment* while drilling.

Duties of the NCOs

Cabo
Corporal
The corporal is the first non-commissioned officer next to the privates, as such, he had a group
of men assigned to him, usually a squad (escuadra). His primary duty was to carry out the
orders of the sergeant, to post and supervise the Guard and to train the men in the art of
soldiering. At the Castillo, the Cabo is also a gunner on the Gun deck, supervising one gun
crew. In the field, the Cabo might carry the partisan, a pole arm, as a symbol of his rank and
made him more visible in the confusion of battle.

Sargento
Sargeant
The Sergeant commanded the platoon (peloton) and supervised several corporals’ squads.
Sergeants managed the training and needs of the platoons and the company. As today, the
sergeant was the backbone of the military and was the constant that held the military together.
In the field, the sergeant also carried the Halberd, a pole arm, as a symbol of his rank and made
him more visible in the confusion of battle.

* It is clarified in the Ordinances of July 12, 1728, the pole arm is not to be used to administer
punishment due to injuries and deaths that occurred. The cane shall be the item used for
punishment. No more than three consecutive lashes on the back shall be administered to the
soldiers for each offence.
 Sources
• The Ministry of Defense of Spain.
• Institute of History and Military Culture Division of Spain.
• Institute of History and Naval Culture Division of Spain.
• A letter dated August 1, 1978 from Rene Chartrand to Luis R. Arana regarding Spanish
uniform renewal.
• A letter dated August 16, 1969 to Luis R. Arana (author unknown) regarding infantry and
artillerists wearing the same uniform.
• A letter dated February 11, 1985 from Rene Chartrand to Mark W. Johnson regarding the no
special or separate uniform for the 1740 St. Augustine artillerist.
• A letter dated February 11, 1985 from Rene Chartrand to Mark W. Johnson regarding blue
v/s red waistcoats in St. Augustine.
• A letter dated February 11, 1985 from Rene Chartrand to Mark W. Johnson regarding a
summer linen uniform for West Indies Troops.
• The 1985 St. Augustine Garrison Manual, “La Guardicion de San Augustin la Florida 1565-
1985.”
• “The Spanish Army in North America 1700-1793” by Rene Chartrand (2011)
• Local Historian John Powell.