III. PHYSICAL SETTING

C. Human Figures

1. Spanish Forces

a) Numbers and Composition

The sally was made by Sergt. Alexo Pastor, nine soldiers of the Louisiana Regiment, and four Quapaws. Watching the sortie from the north bastion were Captain Dubreuil and the gunners, also of the Louisiana Regiment, manning the two 3 1/2-inch brass cannons emplaced therein. An undetermined number of women and children, fleeing from the raiders, had taken shelter in Fort Carlos.[50]

b) Uniforms Worn by the Soldiers

Spanish overseas troops usually followed the “dress regulations of peninsular Spain, but climate and supply conditions imposed some variations, and the usual cloth issues were substituted by lighter cotton fabrics.” White was the predominant Spanish uniform color under the Bourbons.

(1) Coat, Vest, and Breeches

The dress issue of the Louisiana Regiment consisted of a white coat with blue collar, cuffs, vest, lining, and breeches, and white metal buttons. In the western hemisphere, the vest, lining, and breeches were made of white cotton, with only the collar and cuffs of regimental blue cloth, detachable when the white uniform was laundered.[51]

(2) Hat

The hat was a black tricorne with white lace and red cockade fastened by a yellow metallic loop. The soldier’s hair was cut on “the upper part of the head, turned up into a simple curl at each side, powdered and gathered into a black-tied pigtail.”[52]

(3) Leggings and Shoes

White canvas leggings were held up by black leather straps; the shoes were of black cordovan.[53]

(4) Stock and Shirt

The stock and shirt were white.[54]