1st Elvas Infantry
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Origin and History
The regiment was raised in 1641 when it was known as the Terço de Elvas. On November 24 1707, the unit was renamed “Regimento de Elvas”.
In September 1762, the regiment was divided into two distinct units: the 1st and 2nd Elvas regiments.
During the Seven Years' War, this 1st regiment was (probably) under the command of:
- since 1754: Dom Francisco Henriques
Service during the War
No mention is made of this regiment in the relations of the campaign of 1762. It was probably garrisoning the fortress of Elvas.
Uniform
Traditionally, since about 1660, the Portuguese infantry wore dark blue uniforms. During the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) almost all infantry units wore alvadia (light gray uniforms). These new uniforms were introduced for economic reasons, this type of fabric being much cheaper.
It is now believed that, from 1750, there was a progressive abandon of alvadia uniforms and a return to more traditional Portuguese uniforms. However, it seems that most of the changeover took part sometime after 1759 since, till this date, cloth orders indicated white as the most common colour.
At the outbreak of the war in 1762, there was neither enough uniforms nor cloth for recruits in military warehouses, so it was necessary to use all cloth available. Besides, as there was no central warehouse, every colonel was responsible for the ordering of uniforms. Therefore the fabric was bought from contractors who would cut and turned it into uniforms "more or less" along the official lines.
It must also be noted that the use of gaiters was introduced into the Portuguese infantry only in 1762.
Privates
no information available
Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet.
Officers
no information available
Musicians
no information available
Colours
The exact pattern of the Portuguese colonel colours during the Seven Years' War is unknown.
The ordonnance colours were chosen by the colonel of the regiment. For the moment, we have found no source depicting specific colours for this regiment.
Please refer to our article on the Portuguese Line Infantry Colours for more information.
References
Amaral, Manuel, O Exértico Português em finais do Antiguo Regime
Ribeiro Rodrigues, Manuel A.; 300 Anos de Uniformes Militares do Exército de Portugal 1660-1960, Exército Portugués and Sociedade Historica da Independéncia de Portugal, 1998
Acknowledgement
Manuel Ribeiro Rodrigues and Joseph O'Neill for the initial version of this article.
