Royalist army Royalist (Spanish American independence)

there 2 types of units: expeditionary units ( in spanish: expedicionarios) created in spain , militias (in spanish: milicias), units existed or created during conflict in america. militias, composed wholly of militiamen residents or natives of spanish america, bolstered presence of veteran units (or disciplined militia ) composed of peninsular , spanish american veterans of spain s wars in europe , around globe. veteran units expected form core of experienced soldiers in local defenses, expertise invaluable regular militiamen lacked sustained military experience, if any. veteran units created in past century part of bourbon reforms reinforce spanish america s defenses against increasing encroachment of other european powers, such during 7 years war.

overall, europeans formed tenth of royalist armies in spanish america, , half of expeditionary units. since each european soldier casualty substituted spanish american soldier, on time, there more , more spanish american soldiers in expeditionary units. example, pablo morillo, commander in chief in venezuela , new granada, reported had 2,000 european soldiers, in other words, half of soldiers of expeditionary force european. estimated in battle of maipú quarter of royalist forces european soldiers, in battle of carabobo fifth, , in battle of ayacucho less 1% european.

the american militias reflected racial make-up of local population. example, in 1820 royalist army in venezuela had 843 white (español), 5,378 casta , 980 native soldiers.

royalist army