Puerto Rico Militia. 1897. Spain

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This model figure is owned by Alberto Casart. It was manufactured by Miniaturas Almirall-Palou, SL. Unless expressly mentioned, the information contained in this article has been taken from the book Soldados de Plomo. Guía del Coleccionista (ISBN: 84-473-1265-8), edited by RBA Coleccionables, SA in 1997.

Puerto Rico Militia. 1897. Spain

Drill Uniform 

 

·        Uniform description:

• Pith helmet with white cotton canvas exterior and cork interior. In the front, the Spanish Coat of Arms in brass, enameled in white and red.
• Guerrera type jacket and trousers in white cotton canvas. Seven brass buttons. White shirt under the jacket
• Spanish Army regular webbing in black leather with brass belt buckle and fittings.
• Three ammunition pouches, two at the front and the third at the rear.
• Cuffs and épaulettes in green or red, the colours of Spanish Army Infantry. No arrangements.
• Black leather boots.
• Remington rifle with attached bayonet.
• Grey blanket roll slung over the shoulder.

The Puerto Rico Militia had to operate in support of the Regular Spanish Army cantoned in the island, what in 1897 consisted of a force of 6,862 soldiers and 406 officers, structured in 5 infantry battalions, 1 artillery battalion, a cavalry section and some support units (telegraph, sanitary, Guardia Civil and military police).

The Militia was structured in 14 battalions. Those units were cantoned as shown in the map (ordinal number of battalion in brackets next to location’s name).

At Isla de Vieques was located a company of the Militia.

Militiamen weren’t professional soldiers. Only buglers and quartermasters had the right to perceive allowances.

At San Juan was located a preparatory academy for the officer candidates, directed by an Artillery colonel assisted by two captains acting as teachers.

 

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