1859-60: Spanish-Moroccan War
My interest in the First Moroccan War was sparked by a set of 4 booklets I picked up from Pallas Armata called simply "The Spanish Campaign in Morocco" (Hardman, 1996). The immediate cause of the war was Spanish jealously of contemporary French ventures in Algeria. Perhaps even more fundamental were: the Spanish belief that fighting the Moor was a sacred duty; and their long held desire to extend their Reconquista south of the straits. I guess my own interest in the period parallels these causes ... I have the armies for the medieval Reconquista in Spain and there is something quite romantic about the vision of regular European lines facing off massed Muslim tribesmen. It is another period I haven't got into much yet, but you'll find bits and bobs below.
Mike Blake has kindly provided much of the detail for this page - in particular he supplied most of the material for both the painting guide and Spanish order of battle. For example all references to Bueno (1998) and Acosta (1998) come from Mike.
Chris Tubb kindly sent through the article from the Illustrated London News (10 Nov 1859) including the two pictures.
What I can offer
- Start of a chronology
- The start of a painting guide
- An order of battle
- Outline of the weapons used by both side, particularly the Spanish
- Sources
From left to right:
Line Infantry, Artillery, Rifleman, Lancer, Marine
Artilleryman, Princess Hussar, Engineer
(from the Illustrated London News, 10
Nov 1859)
Chronology
Aug 1859
The Spanish had earlier begun work on a redoubt on the outskirts of Ceuta (Woolman, 1968). In Aug 1859 the local Anyera tribesmen attacked, the unfinished works, killed several Spaniards, demolished the fortifications, and disfigured the coat-of-arms of Spain. Spain demands compensation from the local Caid of the Anyera and from the Sultan Abd-al-Rahman of Morocco. Discussions continued at a slow pace until the Sultan died bringing all negotiations to a halt.
22 Oct 1859
Spain declared war on Morocco (Illustrated London News, 1859). The new Sultan, Mulay Mohamed, responded with a jihad (Woolman, 1968). Mulay sent an army under his brother to eject the Spanish from Ceuta.
19 Nov 1859
A minor skirmish occurred in front of Ceuta (Hardman, 1996). The Spanish took some Moors prisoner.
25 Nov 1859
The Moors attempted to take a Spanish newly built redoubt on the right of the Spanish positions in front of Ceuta ( Hardman, 1996). Hardman described this as a "sharp little combat". The Moors infantry attacked form the cover of trees, effectively sniping at the Spanish from up to 400 metres away. At times they made daring attempts on the Spanish guns. Eventually a battalion of the Regiment of Merida got into the rear of a wood occupied by a large body of Moors and charged into them. Although the Moors defended themselves bravely their long-barrelled espingardas turned clubs were no match for European bayonets. Many Moors were killed and eventually the Moors retreated. Around 400 Spanish were killed or wounded. Maj. General Echague (1st Corps) was the most notable of the Spanish wounded.
29 Nov 1859
Captain General D Leopoldo O’Donnel, Count of Lucena, and the Spanish Commander-in-Chief, arrived in Ceuta on this date or just before ( Hardman, 1996). He was travelling with the second division of the 2nd corps, so presumably a fair number of the Spanish army had arrived by this time.
30 Nov 1859
Another skirmish resulting in a Spanish victory ( Hardman, 1996). It was sufficiently large to result in 230 Spanish killed and wounded.
9 Dec 1859
Another skirmish ( Hardman, 1996).
12 Dec 1859
Spanish 3rd Corps under General Ros de Olano arrived in Ceuta ( Hardman, 1996). The Spanish cavalry and artillery had still not arrived.
General Prim (Reserve) took 2-3 battalions out on the Spanish left to cover road building operations toward Tetuán ( Hardman, 1996). He was engaged by 4-5,000 Moors, so further Spaniards went out in support. Despite the number of troops involved there were only 7 Spanish killed and some 30 wounded in a fight that lasted from noon until night fall. Unlike earlier actions nearer Ceuta the Moors lacked cover thus exposing them to Spanish fire, and the lack of trees also denied them supports for their long espingardas thus making their fire relatively ineffective.
15 Dec 1859
Another small skirmish lasting from 1030 until dark ( Hardman, 1996). As usual the Moorish infantry advanced with the objective of harassing the Spanish lines with skirmishing fire. Unusually the Moors had a force of 800-1,000 cavalry in reserve to fling against any Spanish infantry that ventured out of their fortifications. However, the Spanish spotted this ploy and drove off the Moorish horse with their rifled mountain guns. As usual the fight lingered on until nightfall but the attack had been effectively stopped when the Moorish horse were put to flight. The Spanish suffered 100 killed and wounded including 7 officers.
18 Dec 1859
Once again General Prim took out a few battalions to cover the road builders ( Hardman, 1996). When he noticed the Moors following his force's return to camp Prim left two companies in ambush. These troops managed to send a short range volley into the Moors causing many casualties. Otherwise firing continued until dark. Spanish losses were 30-40 killed and wounded.
etc etc
1 Jan 1860
O'Donnell led the army south towards Tetuán, 45 km away (Woolman, 1968). The Spanish advance guard under Gen. Prim beat off several Anyera attacks. As the army advanced a fleet bombarded Tangier, Asilah, and Larache.
First Week Feb 1860
The Spanish occupy Tetuán (Woolman, 1968). They then headed west towards Tangier through the hills around Fondak ain Jedida.
End of Mar 1860
The Moroccans sued for peace (Woolman, 1968). Under the peace terms the presidios of Melilla and Ceuta expanded slightly and the Sultan paid Spain a 20 million peseta indemnity. Concerned about Gibraltar's security the British loaned Morocco the full amount of the indemnity. With the money safely banked the Spanish army evacuated Tetuán. Total Spanish losses were 1,000 dead and 3,000 wounded.
Painting Guide
The main source is Bueno (1998), however, where Hardman (1996) differs I tend to favour his view as he spent the entire 1860 campaign with the Spanish Army and was a professional observer. On the other hand Bueno is a professional historian, so you can make up your own mind.
Moroccans
Hardman (1996) said the Moorish irregulars only garment was a white haik (long loose tunic with a hood). Their skin colour ranged from almost African black to European white.
Spanish Army of Africa
Infantry
Brown frock coat with a red collar (Bueno, 1998; Hardman 1996). The coat reached almost to the knees and had a built in cape over the shoulders that extended down to the elbows (presumably like the cape on an ACW great coat). The Illustrated London News (1859) says the tunic was a royal blue, silver buttons, with red facings and cuffs, but this was probably the dress uniform.
The Illustrated London News (1859) mentions a grey cloak for the Light infantry.
"Ros" shako of grey felt bound with black leather (Hardman, 1996). It was low like a kepi, but higher in front than back. It was called a "Ros" as it was invented by General Ros de Olano - the guy who commanded the 3rd Corps. Note, Bueno (1998) has the shako in white, but as mentioned above I favour Hardman, and in 1885 the Infantry were still in grey Ros's s white seems unlikely (Grávalos & Calvo, 1998). The Fusiliers had a green feather in their cap and the Grenadiers a red one (Illustrated London News, 1859).
Trousers of the Line infantry were pale blue (Bueno,1998; Illustrated London News, 1859), and red for the light infantry (Bueno; Hardman, 1996; Illustrated London News)
The men's waist belt and centrally attached cartridge box were black (Bueno, 1998; Illustrated London News, 1859).
All infantry wore a long cloth gaitor reaching from knee to foot and buttoning over the trouser (Hardman, 1996). Bueno (1998) and the Illustrated London News (1859) have these in black - at least for the Light Infantry and Engineers, and I presume this colour was universal for the foot. Bueno doesn't show buttons on the outside of the Light Infantry, but does for the Engineers.
Officers
The Illustrated London News (1859) says the officers of all arms were difficult to distinguish from the men, although they had a sword in a steel sheath and a revolver . Bueno (1998) gives officers a white wait belt, black revolver holster, and black strap to the "purse" style officer's haversack, and black boots.
Engineers
Speaking of the Engineers, Bueno (1998) has them in a fairly distinctive uniform. They had a narrow topped peaked hat (British WWI style) with mid-blue top and white band, mid-grey frock-coat the same length as the brown infantry one but without the cape and with a red stand-up collar and shoulder wings. Trousers were dark blue with a red side stripe covered by particularly long black gaiters with side buttons. All equipment is white except the cap box and bayonet scabbard which are black.
In contrast the Illustrated London News (1859) gives the Engineers a helmet trimmed with horse hair and with a metal spike (similar to the Prussian helmet), a blue coat with buttons and silver epaulettes (like the Cavalry). It is possible items were part of the dress uniform, and Bueno (1998) is describing the campaign dress. The Illustrated London News, however, agrees with Bueno on the blue trousers with red strip, black gaiters, and white leather. They carried a musket without a bayonet.
Artillery
As the Engineers except with a black shako with a red feather and boots (Illustrated London News, 1859). The also carried a sword, pistol and musket.
Cavalry
The Illustrated London News (1859) says the cavalry wore a very short blue tunic with a red collar and silver epaulettes. Trousers were royal blue; cartouche-box white.
The Cuirassiers left their armour in Spain (Hardman, 1996).
Bueno (1998) has: Lancer Regiment España silver metal helmet with gilt/gold spike and black plume, chain and front badge, mid blue frock coat trimmed red including collar, white/silver shoulder straps and rolls, pale blue booted-overalls with black leather bottoms and red side stripe, white leather equipment, pale blue saddle covers with red trim, and the lance has a yellow swallow-tailed pennon.
Acosta (1998) has: Cabo de Lanceros de Santiago in the same uniform as the Regiment España, but with no helmet plume, and with a lance pennon pale blue over white.Order of Battle
Spanish Army of Africa
In general the order of battle follows Acosta (1998).
Captain General D Leopoldo O’Donnel, Count of Lucena
1st Corps (Maj. General Echague, who was also Marshal of the Camp)
Line Infantry: Rey Granada, Borbon;
Cazadores: Cataluna, Madrid, Alcantara, Barbastro, Navas, Simancas, Talavera, Merida and Mallorca
Cavalry: Albuera [1 squadron]; Cazadores Mallorca [1 squadron]
Artillery: 4 Montana batteries
Engineers: 4 companies
2nd Corps (Lt. General Zavala*)
Line Infantry: Cordoba, Bailen, Iberia
Cazadores: Albuera, Zamora, Baza, Luchana, Figueras
Artillery: 3 batteries Artillery Montado
* Hardman (1996) spells it with a "b", i.e. "Zabala", but it is reasonable to assume Bueno has better Spanish spelling.
3rd Corps (Lt. General Ros de Olano)
Line Infantry: Zamora, Albuera, Infante [1 Bat], San Fernando, Reina Almansa, Africa, Asturias [1 Bat]
Cazadores: Segorbe, Baza, Cuidad Rodrigo, Llerena, Barcelona
Cavalry: Cazadores Albuera [1 sqdn]
Artillery: 1 Mountain Battery & 2 Batteries 2nd Montado Artillery Regt
Reserve (Lt. General Prim)
Line Infantry: Zaragoza, Principe, Castilla, Toledo, Saboya
Cazadores: Verega, Cuenca, Alba de Tormes, Chiclana
Cavalry:
Coraceros 4 sqdns Rey, Reina, Principe & Borbon;
1st Brigade: Husares de la Princesa [1 sqdn]
2nd Brigade: Lanceros [4 sqdns] Farnesio [2] Villaviciosa & Santiago
Artillery: Regt Artilleria a caballo [3 Esquadrones] [sic – batteries?]; 3rd Regt Artilleria Montado [3 Esquadrones] [sic – batteries?]
Engineers: 4 companies
Hardman (1996) adds some detail to that mentioned by Acosta (1998). Of the total strength 12-14,000 were left in the lines around Ceuta and 30,000 were in the field army. Each corps was divided into two infantry divisions of two brigades of 4 battalions making 16 battalions in each corps, plus horse and artillery (I don't know how much he fudged to get these nice rounded numbers). Line infantry was organised into regiments, but the lights were numbered by battalion.
There were no more than 2,000 Spanish horse in total (Hardman, 1996). The cuirassiers left their armour in Spain. A cavalry division led the Spanish line of march. Hardman thought this "Division" was the size of a Brigade. It was assembled from units assigned to each Corps and contained 16 squadrons of 85 to 120 men including:
- The Princesa Hussars (2 Squadrons)
- 4 Squadrons of Cuirassiers (without armour)
- 10 Squadrons of Lancers
At the start of the campaign the Spanish freed 300 of their better behaved presidarios (galley-slaves) and armed them to fight against the Moors (Hardman, 1996). Apparently they fought well, and due to a 1 dollar per captive incentive, even went out at night to hunt Moors.
Illustrated London News (1859) says the army comprised 40,000 men. 40 infantry battalions, 16 rifle battalions, 1 engineer battalion, 11 cavalry squadrons, and 80 pieces of artillery. Clearly the cavalry component at least is much lower than Hardman (1996) states.
Moroccan Army
Hardman (1996) accompanied the Spanish army, so his comments on the Moroccans are limited to reports from foreign newspapers and his observations in the field from the perspective of the opposition.
According to a French newspaper some of the Moroccans were regulars organised into battalions and equipped with modern rifles (Hardman, 1996). The paper also reports artillery trained in European fashion. Hardman doubted the efficacy of the newly trained Moroccans compared to European troops. Otherwise the Moroccans relied on warlike irregulars armed with espingardas. An unknown number of galley-slaves escaped to the Moors, were armed by them and sent to fight the Spanish.
Rumour had it that the Emperor of Morocco could call upon upwards of 100,000 foot and 30,000 horse (Hardman, 1996). Initially the Spaniards were opposed by about 2,000 locals - at the time when the Spanish had only landed a brigade themselves. Even before the Spanish army decamped for their march along the coast the Moorish force had grown to 10,000 infantry with a further 20,000 cavalry in support.
Weapons
Moroccans
All irregulars, including both cavalry and infantry, used the espingardas - a very long-barreled musket requiring a prop to aim accurately.
Spanish Army of Africa
The light battalions had the Minié rifle.
A portion of the line battalions had the common rifle, and the remainder the old musket.
Some of the artillery had rifled cannon, but most were smooth bore (Hardman, 1996). Hardman mentions rifled 4-pounders which I assume are the same as the rifled mountain guns he also mentions.
Wargaming Figures
The Moroccans shouldn't be too hard to scrape together from related ranges.
The Spanish are harder, with figures wearing the unique Ros cap being hard to find. However, recently Larry Martinez tipped me off to an American company called Haus of Stuff, who, in their Spanish-American War range have figures wearing a Ros cap complete with neck flap (check them out here). They're not ideal, having turn-backs on their coats but probably closer than anything else out there.
Sources
Acosta Guerrero, J. M. (1998). El Ejercito Espanol en Campana 1643-1921. Madrid.
Barrow, Andrew. (u/d). The Spanish In North Africa, 1859. Colonial Conquest, 10.
Bueno Carrera, J. M. (1998). Soldados de Espana, El Unifome Militar Espanol desde Los Reyes Catolicos hasta Juan Carlos I. Madrid
Griffiths, Maj Arthur. Spanish Battles in Morocco: 1859-60, Castillejos, Tetuan, Guad El Ras. Battles of the Nineteenth Century,
Hardman, F. (1996). The Spanish Campaign in Morocco. Pallas Armata. (Originally published in 1860)
Hardman was the Times correspondent at the headquarters of the Spanish army in Morocco. He spent the entire 1860 campaign with the Spanish Army. This set of four booklets are his collected despatches from the front. They form a good day by day account of the conflict.
Grávalos González, L., & Calvo Pérez, J. (1998). Nuestro Ejército etropolitano en 1885: Regencia de María Cristina. Valladolid, Spain: Quiron Ediciones. [Spanish and German text].
This is a Spanish reprint of a German work called 'Die Spanische Armee'.published in 1885. The main value of the work lies in the colour illustrations. Knowing German will help, as the original German Text is reproduced in full. There is a brief introduction in Spanish. Unfortunately 1885 is not a notably period in Spanish History, although this book does suggest what the Spanish might have looked like in earlier periods, e.g. 1860 or 1872.
Illustrated London News (10 Nov 1859). The War between Spain and Morocco: The Costumes of the Spanish Army. Illustrated London News, 486-487.
Chris Tubb kindly sent me this article.
Rey, Miguel del. (2001). La Guerra de Africa 1859-1860; Uniformes, Armas y Banderas. Madrid.
Woolman, D. S. (1968). Rebels in the Rif. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.