Mid War Spanish Additions (cont. 10) - 1st and 2nd Regimiento de Asturias

These two units of line infantry were raised in the northern Spanish region of Asturias. At least one of these units, the 2nd Regimiento, fought alongside Wellington at Toulouse as part of the Spanish 4th Army.

Each unit is 28 figures strong, including the four skirmish figures to throw out front. Figures are Front Rank.

The flag is by Adolfo Ramos.

1st Regimiento de Asturias.

The uniform I have chosen for these units is speculative: It is based on three pieces of purely circumstantial evidence. 

In 1809, I believe that the 1st Asturias was issued with a brown uniform faced red and round hats but, these would be ready for replacement in 1812 (uniforms were supposed to last three years in Spanish service). 

Blue coats with sky blue collar and cuffs and blue pantaloons were supplied, via Portugal, to troops serving in northern Spain in May 1812. Some of the so called 'English' style uniforms started to arrive as early as 1811 but the detail of these (cap style, facing colours, etc.) is uncertain.

Sometime between 1813-1814, when uniforms again became centrally regulated, the coats for all three Asturias regiments (one was light infantry) were prescribed to be blue with light blue collars and cuffs (2nd red cuffs in 1811), and blue pantaloons. 

Same unit, different view. 

The plate for this uniform (Osprey, Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars vol.3 1812-1815) shows a fusilier with a red plume and white lace - so I copied it. 

Other sources suggest the plume and lace for fusiliers was white, red for the grenadier company and green for the light company. (Haythornethwaite, Uniforms of the Peninsular Wars 1807-1814) - I've followed this pattern for the flank companies.

2nd Regimiento de Asturias. 

Although all British supplied blue coats with light blue collars had matching light blue cuffs they might have been changed, to red, on arrival. The possibility for this is based on Rene Chartrand's statement that  "Naturally, many 'improvements' could be added by regimental tailors...." (Osprey, Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars vol.2 1808-1812) 

Same unit, different view. 

A lot of the British supplied backpacks were made of yellow canvas. It makes a nice contrast with the dark blue of the uniform.

Next up, Regimiento de Hibernia. The uniform for this unit is, to say the least, intriguing.