ALAMO DE PARRAS

Uniforms of the Mexican Soldier

Spanish Colonial Uniform 1767-68
Prior to the Royal Regulations of 1772 the Spanish colonial soldier's uniform looked much like other European uniforms of the period.

Soldado de Cuera (pre-1800 Presidial
The leather jacket, or cuera, was used with a leather shield (adarga), were to protect the soldiers against Indian arrows. Traditionally, the Presidial soldiers were split into two categories: the traditional soldado de cuera and their mounted counterparts, the troopa ligera (lit."light  troops").

Troopa Ligera (pre-1800 Light Troops
Mobile companies, able to cover vast areas behind the presidial line, supported the operation of the presidial company as in the case of Alamo de Parras who supported the Béjar Presidio.

The Flying Company (Troopa Ligera-1836)

Mexican Presidial Soldier (ca.1829
Lino Sánchez y Tapia, "Mexican Presidial Soldier," watercolor, 1828-29. 
Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Militia Trooper & Dragoon Service Dress
Joseph Hefter, ca. 1971 illustration of military uniforms:  "Trooper, Coahuila-Texas Civic Militia, 1835, service dress" and "Officer, Texas Dragoons, 1836, service dress." Old Army Press.

Infantry Soldier
Joseph Hefter, "Mexican Sargeant, Matamoros Battalion in Texas, 1836." 
From Jerome J. Gaddy, Texas in Revolt, 1973

Uniform Buttons
Early Mexican military button. (ca. 1824-1830) 
Vest and cuff buttons. (ca.1821-1824) 
Photos Courtesy John Powell