Restauration Portuguese
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 4:23 pm
I will now post, with due permission, a DBR list made by an expert, Jorge Penim Freitas.
Jorge wrote at least two excellent – and I mean excellent! – books on the Portuguese army of the Restauration (“O combatente durante a Guerra da Restauração. Vivência e comportamentos dos militares ao serviço da coroa portuguesa, 1640-1668”. Lisboa: Prefácio, 2007 and “A cavalaria na guerra da Restauração. Reconstrução e evolução de uma força militar, 1641-1668”. Lisboa : Prefácio, 2005) which I strongly recommend you to read. If you don’t know Portuguese, this is one of many good reasons for you to start your language classes right now!
Like I said above, this list was made for DBR therefore some unit types do not correspond to FoG:R, namely the “Pi” (“Pistoliers”, I think), which should be divided between cuirassiers and mounted arquebusiers. The Commanders also include superior cuirassiers escort (as stated in the text).
I don't know if the list makers will use any of the information in the text bellow but anyway, at least for you information, here it goes:
BRAGANZA PORTUGUESE 1640 AD - 1700 AD
Warm. Ag 0. WW, Rv, H(S), H(G), Wd, O, V, RGo, Rd, BUA.
C-in-C – Pi (S) @ 32 AP. 1
Sub-generals – Pi (S) @ 32 AP or (O) @ 30 AP or (F) @ 31 AP. 1-2
Portuguese horse – Pi (F) @ 11 AP. 6-12
Terço foot – 1/3 to 1/2 pikemen - Pk (I) @ 3 AP, rest shot Sh (I) @ 4 AP. 18-36
Artillery – up to 1/2 Art (S) @ 25 AP, rest Art (O) @ 20 AP. 1-4
Light guns – Art (I) @ 5 AP. 0-2
Only until 1660 AD:
Upgrade terço pikemen as skilled or veteran – Pk (O) @ 4 AP. 0-1/3
Upgrade terço shot as skilled or veteran – Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-1/3
Chevaux de frise for terço shot – PO @ 1 AP. 0-1 per 2 Sh
Only from 1641 AD to 1644 AD:
Dutch and/or French mercenary Dragoons – Dr (O) @ 7 AP.
Only from 1641 AD to 1645 AD:
0-2
Regrade horse as Dutch mercenary – Pi (I) @ 8 AP or (O) @ 10 AP. 0-2
Only from 1641 AD to 1668 AD:
French mercenary horse – Pi (F) @ 11 AP. 0-2
Improvised grenadiers – Sk (X) @ 8 AP. 0-1
Only from 1642 AD to 1648 AD:
Portuguese Dragoons – Dr (O) @ 7 AP. 0-1
Only from 1661 AD to 1668 AD:
Upgrade terço pikemen as skilled or veteran – Pk (O) @ 4 AP. 0-1/2
Upgrade terço shot as skilled or veteran – Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-1/2
Only from 1662 AD to 1668 AD:
English horse – Pi (O) @ 10 AP. 0-2
English foot – 1/3 Pk (O) @ 4 AP, 2/3 Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-6
Only from 1663 AD to 1668 AD:
French and German/Neapolitan mercenary foot – 1/3 Pk (O) @ 4 AP, 2/3 Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-6
This list covers the War of the Portuguese Restoration 1640-1668, following Portugal's secession from Spain, and the subsequent years until the end of our period. Portuguese organisation and tactics did not generally differ much from those of the Spaniards. In fact, several Portuguese generals and a number of the lower rank and file had acquired experience serving with the Spanish army in Flanders and elsewhere prior to 1640 (and some of them even after that date). Not negligible was also the fact that a number of officers were veterans of the wars against the Dutch in Brazil. In 1660 Schomberg went to Portugal to re-organise and improve the overall effectiveness of the army. He had to deal with the jealousy and stubbornness of several Portuguese generals who were reluctant to change from previous methods and doctrines. The reforms of Schomberg did not extend to the re-organisation of cavalry and infantry into formal regiments (which did only occur in 1707), although this was proposed between 1661 and 1664 for the cavalry.
The major part of the companies of horse were of the type known as “Cavalos Arcabuzeiros”, armed with a pair of pistols and a carbine, and using a corselet over a buff coat or at least the latter. Sometimes a textile coat was used over the corselet. Companies of “Cavalos Couraças” (cuirassiers) were introduced in late 1644. They were equipped in true cuirassier ¾ armour until 1646. From 1647 their equipment was similar to that of the “Cavalos Arcabuzeiros”, the main difference between the two types being in prestige and the captain’s pay. The number of “Cavalos Couraças” was increased in 1651 to about 1/3 of the total of the companies of horse in Alentejo, the main theatre of war. The best cuirassier units were the escort companies of field generals, so they are considered in the present list as included in the general’s Pi (S) or (O) elements. Portuguese companies of horse sometimes included foreign soldiers and could be commanded by foreign officers, namely French, English, Italian, German and Dutch. The "charge a la française", sword in hand, happened with some frequency due to the impetuosity of many commanders and the usual shortage in firearms. A regiment of Dutch mercenary horse came to Portugal in late 1641. It was disbanded in 1645, but some of the best officers and men were given permission to stay in Portugal and re-enlist in the Portuguese cavalry. At least two sources confirm the use of the “caracole” in 1642 by Dutch cavalry.
One French and four Dutch companies of Dragoons fought in Portugal between 1641 and 1644, but only one company of Portuguese dragoons existed during the war, between 1641 and 1648. From 1646 it was commanded by French officers, the first two being KIA in a few months (captain Lanue on December 1646, captain Grudé on July 1647). The unit was converted to “cavalos arcabuzeiros” in March 1648 but remained under command of French mercenary officers. A common practice throughout the war was to mount infantry on mules (2 men on each) for the approach on the selected objective during small-scale operations, but their tactical employ was not the same as the genuine dragoons.
A small core of the professional terço foot were constituted of experienced or veteran soldiers. The most part, however, suffered from shortages in cloth, equipment and lack of adequate training, not to mention payment in arrears which affected everyone. The regulations clearly stated that pikemen should wear corselets, and large quantities of pikemen’s corselets were imported from Sweden in 1641. However, surviving lists of equipment confirm that most armour was discarded, except by some officers. By the mid-50s only a few of the terço’s pikemen used armour. They probably constituted the first rank when in battle formation. The proportion of pikemen among the terço foot remained rather high throughout the war to compensate for the Spanish superiority in cavalry. This was also the cause for the nearly standardisation of the chevaux de frise to protect infantry shot (these were carried either by foot soldiers or on carts until the late 50s, but only when an army was on campaign, seldom during small-scale operations). About 20% of the terço shot was still armed with arquebus during the early years of the war. Muskets gradually replaced them, but by the end of the war the arquebus was still in use. An order to replace matchlock muskets with firelock ones was issued in 1697, but the transition was far from being completed when Portugal entered the War of the Spanish Succession in 1703. Grenadiers were just ad-hoc parties of artillerymen and other picked men throwing explosives, usually employed in sieges and raids. Grenadiers became integral to the terço foot from 1702 onwards only. Many foot captains used armour and were armed with sword and buckler, though some preferred to carry a pike. Mestres de campo (terço commanders) took the field on horse, but used sword and buckler when they opted to fight on foot.
Artillery pieces varied much in type and origin. On several occasions throughout the war, Portuguese cavalry columns were accompanied by light artillery pieces pulled by mules, usually a battery of four guns. Light guns firing case shot were also employed with devastating effect against Spanish cavalry at Montes Claros in 1665.
No uniforms were officially issued to the Portuguese troops throughout the war. Even so, two terços were recorded using some kind of uniform in 1664: one had blue coats with red cuffs (Roque da Costa Barreto’s terço), and the other, the crack Terço da Armada, used green coats with yellow cuffs. However, this was exception rather than the rule and may have reflected personal intervention from the respective mestres de campo, in imitation of foreign fashion. Contemporary paintings from the 1650s show foot soldiers dressed in a variety of colours, various shades of brown and grey predominating. Black, green, blue, white and red were favoured by officers. Either white or green scarves and sashes could be used as field recognition signs, although this was far from being a standard practice (green and white were the colours of the House of Braganza prior to 1707). English and French contingents went to Portugal after 1661 in their original uniforms, red coats for the British, light grey with coloured cuffs for the French (according to Frémont d’Ablancourt). The German/Neapolitan terço constituted of former ex-Spanish Army soldiers that changed sides after the battle of Ameixial in June 1663 was later issued with light grey coats by the French. Schomberg’s escort company of horse used blue coats over the corslet at the battle of Ameixial, and red coats with white crosses at the battle of Montes Claros (near Vila Viçosa, 17 June 1665). There were only a few foreign foot mercenaries prior to 1660. Most of them were officers: French, Dutch, Scotch, English, Irish, Neapolitan, Genovese, Venetian and Spaniards. Thereafter the foreign foot was mostly French and English, with some Irish, Neapolitan and German troops, among other nationalities. The quality of the army decreased again after 1668, as the old habits of laziness and carelessness returned after the end of the war against Spain.
From 1661 to 1668 all non-Portuguese troops must be in the same command, which can include Portuguese troops. This represents Schomberg’s command. He can be either the C-in-C or a sub-general.
(Updated on 22-09-2010)
Jorge wrote at least two excellent – and I mean excellent! – books on the Portuguese army of the Restauration (“O combatente durante a Guerra da Restauração. Vivência e comportamentos dos militares ao serviço da coroa portuguesa, 1640-1668”. Lisboa: Prefácio, 2007 and “A cavalaria na guerra da Restauração. Reconstrução e evolução de uma força militar, 1641-1668”. Lisboa : Prefácio, 2005) which I strongly recommend you to read. If you don’t know Portuguese, this is one of many good reasons for you to start your language classes right now!
Like I said above, this list was made for DBR therefore some unit types do not correspond to FoG:R, namely the “Pi” (“Pistoliers”, I think), which should be divided between cuirassiers and mounted arquebusiers. The Commanders also include superior cuirassiers escort (as stated in the text).
I don't know if the list makers will use any of the information in the text bellow but anyway, at least for you information, here it goes:
BRAGANZA PORTUGUESE 1640 AD - 1700 AD
Warm. Ag 0. WW, Rv, H(S), H(G), Wd, O, V, RGo, Rd, BUA.
C-in-C – Pi (S) @ 32 AP. 1
Sub-generals – Pi (S) @ 32 AP or (O) @ 30 AP or (F) @ 31 AP. 1-2
Portuguese horse – Pi (F) @ 11 AP. 6-12
Terço foot – 1/3 to 1/2 pikemen - Pk (I) @ 3 AP, rest shot Sh (I) @ 4 AP. 18-36
Artillery – up to 1/2 Art (S) @ 25 AP, rest Art (O) @ 20 AP. 1-4
Light guns – Art (I) @ 5 AP. 0-2
Only until 1660 AD:
Upgrade terço pikemen as skilled or veteran – Pk (O) @ 4 AP. 0-1/3
Upgrade terço shot as skilled or veteran – Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-1/3
Chevaux de frise for terço shot – PO @ 1 AP. 0-1 per 2 Sh
Only from 1641 AD to 1644 AD:
Dutch and/or French mercenary Dragoons – Dr (O) @ 7 AP.
Only from 1641 AD to 1645 AD:
0-2
Regrade horse as Dutch mercenary – Pi (I) @ 8 AP or (O) @ 10 AP. 0-2
Only from 1641 AD to 1668 AD:
French mercenary horse – Pi (F) @ 11 AP. 0-2
Improvised grenadiers – Sk (X) @ 8 AP. 0-1
Only from 1642 AD to 1648 AD:
Portuguese Dragoons – Dr (O) @ 7 AP. 0-1
Only from 1661 AD to 1668 AD:
Upgrade terço pikemen as skilled or veteran – Pk (O) @ 4 AP. 0-1/2
Upgrade terço shot as skilled or veteran – Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-1/2
Only from 1662 AD to 1668 AD:
English horse – Pi (O) @ 10 AP. 0-2
English foot – 1/3 Pk (O) @ 4 AP, 2/3 Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-6
Only from 1663 AD to 1668 AD:
French and German/Neapolitan mercenary foot – 1/3 Pk (O) @ 4 AP, 2/3 Sh (O) @ 6 AP. 0-6
This list covers the War of the Portuguese Restoration 1640-1668, following Portugal's secession from Spain, and the subsequent years until the end of our period. Portuguese organisation and tactics did not generally differ much from those of the Spaniards. In fact, several Portuguese generals and a number of the lower rank and file had acquired experience serving with the Spanish army in Flanders and elsewhere prior to 1640 (and some of them even after that date). Not negligible was also the fact that a number of officers were veterans of the wars against the Dutch in Brazil. In 1660 Schomberg went to Portugal to re-organise and improve the overall effectiveness of the army. He had to deal with the jealousy and stubbornness of several Portuguese generals who were reluctant to change from previous methods and doctrines. The reforms of Schomberg did not extend to the re-organisation of cavalry and infantry into formal regiments (which did only occur in 1707), although this was proposed between 1661 and 1664 for the cavalry.
The major part of the companies of horse were of the type known as “Cavalos Arcabuzeiros”, armed with a pair of pistols and a carbine, and using a corselet over a buff coat or at least the latter. Sometimes a textile coat was used over the corselet. Companies of “Cavalos Couraças” (cuirassiers) were introduced in late 1644. They were equipped in true cuirassier ¾ armour until 1646. From 1647 their equipment was similar to that of the “Cavalos Arcabuzeiros”, the main difference between the two types being in prestige and the captain’s pay. The number of “Cavalos Couraças” was increased in 1651 to about 1/3 of the total of the companies of horse in Alentejo, the main theatre of war. The best cuirassier units were the escort companies of field generals, so they are considered in the present list as included in the general’s Pi (S) or (O) elements. Portuguese companies of horse sometimes included foreign soldiers and could be commanded by foreign officers, namely French, English, Italian, German and Dutch. The "charge a la française", sword in hand, happened with some frequency due to the impetuosity of many commanders and the usual shortage in firearms. A regiment of Dutch mercenary horse came to Portugal in late 1641. It was disbanded in 1645, but some of the best officers and men were given permission to stay in Portugal and re-enlist in the Portuguese cavalry. At least two sources confirm the use of the “caracole” in 1642 by Dutch cavalry.
One French and four Dutch companies of Dragoons fought in Portugal between 1641 and 1644, but only one company of Portuguese dragoons existed during the war, between 1641 and 1648. From 1646 it was commanded by French officers, the first two being KIA in a few months (captain Lanue on December 1646, captain Grudé on July 1647). The unit was converted to “cavalos arcabuzeiros” in March 1648 but remained under command of French mercenary officers. A common practice throughout the war was to mount infantry on mules (2 men on each) for the approach on the selected objective during small-scale operations, but their tactical employ was not the same as the genuine dragoons.
A small core of the professional terço foot were constituted of experienced or veteran soldiers. The most part, however, suffered from shortages in cloth, equipment and lack of adequate training, not to mention payment in arrears which affected everyone. The regulations clearly stated that pikemen should wear corselets, and large quantities of pikemen’s corselets were imported from Sweden in 1641. However, surviving lists of equipment confirm that most armour was discarded, except by some officers. By the mid-50s only a few of the terço’s pikemen used armour. They probably constituted the first rank when in battle formation. The proportion of pikemen among the terço foot remained rather high throughout the war to compensate for the Spanish superiority in cavalry. This was also the cause for the nearly standardisation of the chevaux de frise to protect infantry shot (these were carried either by foot soldiers or on carts until the late 50s, but only when an army was on campaign, seldom during small-scale operations). About 20% of the terço shot was still armed with arquebus during the early years of the war. Muskets gradually replaced them, but by the end of the war the arquebus was still in use. An order to replace matchlock muskets with firelock ones was issued in 1697, but the transition was far from being completed when Portugal entered the War of the Spanish Succession in 1703. Grenadiers were just ad-hoc parties of artillerymen and other picked men throwing explosives, usually employed in sieges and raids. Grenadiers became integral to the terço foot from 1702 onwards only. Many foot captains used armour and were armed with sword and buckler, though some preferred to carry a pike. Mestres de campo (terço commanders) took the field on horse, but used sword and buckler when they opted to fight on foot.
Artillery pieces varied much in type and origin. On several occasions throughout the war, Portuguese cavalry columns were accompanied by light artillery pieces pulled by mules, usually a battery of four guns. Light guns firing case shot were also employed with devastating effect against Spanish cavalry at Montes Claros in 1665.
No uniforms were officially issued to the Portuguese troops throughout the war. Even so, two terços were recorded using some kind of uniform in 1664: one had blue coats with red cuffs (Roque da Costa Barreto’s terço), and the other, the crack Terço da Armada, used green coats with yellow cuffs. However, this was exception rather than the rule and may have reflected personal intervention from the respective mestres de campo, in imitation of foreign fashion. Contemporary paintings from the 1650s show foot soldiers dressed in a variety of colours, various shades of brown and grey predominating. Black, green, blue, white and red were favoured by officers. Either white or green scarves and sashes could be used as field recognition signs, although this was far from being a standard practice (green and white were the colours of the House of Braganza prior to 1707). English and French contingents went to Portugal after 1661 in their original uniforms, red coats for the British, light grey with coloured cuffs for the French (according to Frémont d’Ablancourt). The German/Neapolitan terço constituted of former ex-Spanish Army soldiers that changed sides after the battle of Ameixial in June 1663 was later issued with light grey coats by the French. Schomberg’s escort company of horse used blue coats over the corslet at the battle of Ameixial, and red coats with white crosses at the battle of Montes Claros (near Vila Viçosa, 17 June 1665). There were only a few foreign foot mercenaries prior to 1660. Most of them were officers: French, Dutch, Scotch, English, Irish, Neapolitan, Genovese, Venetian and Spaniards. Thereafter the foreign foot was mostly French and English, with some Irish, Neapolitan and German troops, among other nationalities. The quality of the army decreased again after 1668, as the old habits of laziness and carelessness returned after the end of the war against Spain.
From 1661 to 1668 all non-Portuguese troops must be in the same command, which can include Portuguese troops. This represents Schomberg’s command. He can be either the C-in-C or a sub-general.
(Updated on 22-09-2010)