Guidons and uniform of Spanish Reina Dragoons in the Seven Years War

This is the third set of Spanish cavalry flags commissioned by Lewis Simpson-Jones this summer. As I explained previously, I recreated the cavalry standards and guidons from verbal descriptions in a Spanish source, along with some rather poor 18th century images.

First raised 1735 as Real de las Reina Dragones. 12 companies strong.

Service:

1742: To Italy
1743: Battle of Campo Santo
1745: Sieges and capture of Seravalle and Tortona; occupation of Piacenza and Parma; capture of Pavia; battle of Bassignano; siege and capture of Alessandria; attack on Cassale di Monferrato
1746: Attack on Codogno; battle of Piacenza; battle of Rottofreddo; occupation of Oneglia, Nice and Exiles
1748: Back to Spain

Seven Years War:

1757: Stationed at Rivera
1758: To Merida then Andalucia
1760: To Jeréz de la Frontera
1762: On the way to the planned invasion of Portugal; by April at Ciudad Rodrigo where a total of 10,000 troops had assembled. By June the whole regiment was at Gallegos. August at the siege of Almeida, which capitulated 25th August. September invaded Portugal and at the capture of Salvatierra 9th September. October 1st at an encounter with the enemy at Sarcedas. October 26th at the siege of Elvas and Campo Mayor. November at Montijo at end of hostilities.

And this was probably the uniform in the Seven Years War:

Flag of the Danish Grenadier Corps from 1709

This unit was created 1701 from the grenadier companies of the Livgarden, Dronningens, Prins Georg, Prins Christians, Sjaellandske, Jydske, Oldenborgske, Schwärtzels and Mörners regiments.

Served in Scania and North Germany 1709-1715

 

And this was probably the uniform 1708-1709:

The Great Northern War 1700-1721, Volume II by Höglund et al, tells us that in 1709 "the regimental commander requested a pair of colours. Their appearance, however, is unknown". But Sapherson in his volume on the Danish Army 1699-1715 does give us this design.

My feeling is that every unit on the wargames table, if possible, should have flags and this is especially so when we know that a unit did carry flags but we do not know the actual design. I apologise if this is heresy to some! ;-)

Guidons and uniform of Spanish Sagunto Dragoons in the Seven Years War

This is the second set of cavalry flags commissioned by Lewis Simpson-Jones this summer. As I explained previously, I recreated the cavalry standards and guidons from verbal descriptions in a Spanish source, along with some rather poor 18th century images.

Sagunto Dragoons, then called Camprodon Dragoons, first raised 1703; 500 strong, in 5 squadrons each of 2 companies.

The guidons date from about 1750.

Service:

1703: Blockade of Arronches; sieges of Portalegre and Castelo de Vide
1705: Siege of Gibraltar (failed); occupation of Alcañiz and the castle of Morella
1706: Attack on Villareal; failed defence of Murviedro
1707: Siege and capture of Egea; attack on insurgents at Sábada; relief of Verdun and Borja
1709: Attack on allied camp defending the bridge of Montañana
1710: To Catalonia; battle of Saragossa; combat of Villaviciosa
1711: In the mountains of Aragon and Catalonia; capture of Castle of Arenys and Benasque; failed siege of Cardona
1712: Relief of Arenys
1713: Campaign against the Catalan insurgents
1714: Siege and capture of Barcelona

1715: Now 12 companies of 30 men each

1718: Renamed Sagunto

1720: Coast of North Africa; relief of Ceuta
1721: Back to Spain

1732: Reconquest of Oran, North Africa

1741: To Italy
1743: Passage of the Tanaro and battle of Campo Santo
1745: Siege and capture of Tortona; storm of Piacenza; capture of Parma and Pavia; battle of Bassignano
1746: Battle of Piacenza; battle of Rottofreddo
1747: Retreat to Provence and Languedoc
1748: Return to Catalonia

Seven Years War:

1762: With the Army of Castile for the Invasion of Portugal. Allocated to the Reserve of the army gathered at Zamora. In May the Reserve crossed the Portuguese border and marched on Brandilanes. July 8th it retired to Ciudad Rodrigo. October to cantonments at Malpartida.

(Text summarised from Kronoskaf SYW entry.)

And this was the uniform in the mid-18th century: