Horse Grenadier Regiment
Encyclopedia
Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers General San Martin (Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo General San Martín) is the name of two Argentine Army
regiments:
in 1812. The regiment fought in the Battle of San Lorenzo
(1813), the Battle of Vilcapugio
(1813), the Battle of Ayohuma
(1813). The regiment also played a key role as part of the Army of the Andes
in the battles of Chacabuco
(1817) and Maipú
(1818) in Chile. And later in Perú, Ecuador and Bolivia at the Battles of Riobamba, Pichincha
(1822) and Ayacucho
(1824), and in the Argentina-Brazil War
. The regimental strength had fallen to 120 men (troop size) and the regiment was disbanded in 1827, at the height of its final actions.
recognized him and his services as a Cavalry
officer. He then knew about the Argentine War of Independence, and the Argentine Army's organizational and strategy problems that he was ready to put his experiences in the Peninsular War
to good use.
On March 12, the Superior Provisional Government gave the order that recognized and confirmed his services. The letter that was written by the Triumvirate's members to the Government specified that Commander of the Horse Grenadiers Squadron about to be raised was one of his then titles, then given to him by the Triumvirate aside from his rank as a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry in the Spanish Army
. It was necessary for him to form a new cavalry corps, and that also included having parameters of personality and conduct, the rigorous training duties, and the unit's uniforms, pattered after that of the Swiss Army's Horse Grenadiers, among others.
His objective for the formation of the cavalry unit is that to become the fully trained unit helping the Argentine Army fulfill its tasks and win its battles, with the unit composed of native soldiers and officers trained in cavalry tactics and mounted combat skills.
On the same day, Lt. Col. San Martin began to raise the Horse Grenadiers Squadron. The job of raising it took a few months to complete.
Officers and commanders of the Squadron
1st Cavalry Troop
2nd Cavalry Troop
In recruiting new members of the unit, the San Martin Code of Honor, still used today by the Regiment, was a guide for strict military discipline at all times for every Horse Grenadier, either trooper, NCO and officer to follow. San Martin used it in every recruitment activity he led in order to form the Horse Grenadiers as a large full-time military unit.
As a result of fierce discipline, the cult of valor and honor that Lt. Col. San Martin started in his unit, and the extremeness and rigorousness of military and physical instruction, he wrote his Guide for good habits from the officers as the honor code for the regiment's NCO's and enlisted personnel. This code of honor has exactly 14 points of honor, in which are written the proper norms of conduct and duty.
These are the simplified points :
San Martin added his own words to the code as a summary, and it states that: Of my Grenadiers however, they should be having values, just as I have. When it's insufficient, fill them, when it's exceeding, don't.
San Martin was now called by the authorities in Buenos Aires as the Commander of the Mounted Grenadiers, and on December 7 the Horse Grenadiers Regiment was officially raised, and he was promoted to Colonel
. It was on that month when the 3rd Squadron was finally formed, and the 4th Squadron would not be formed until 1815.
, the Argentine Presidential Palace at the eastern end of the famous Plaza de Mayo
, nearby some historical and cultural landmarks like the Buenos Aires Cabildo, in which the Regiment of Patricians serve as caretakers, the Buenos Aires City Hall, and the Buenos Aires Cathedral. They also take ceremonial and security duties at the various residences of the President of Argentina
nationwide.
Enlisted and NCOs
and Household Cavalry, and the French Army's Cavalry Branch and the French National Gendarmerie's Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment, the band plays not just as a regular military band but also as a mounted band.
When mounted on horseback, it has trumpet, helicons, tubas, euphoniums, baritones, 4 timpani and 1 glockenspiel, and the band is led by two Directors of Music. But when on the ground, the instrumentation is of trumpets, valve trombones, mellowphones, tubas, baritones, euphoniums, 1 snare drum, 1-2 bass drums, cymbals, 1 glockenspiel, and field snare drums, and is led by not just the two Directors of Music but by the band's Drum Major.
Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
regiments:
- The Mounted Grenadiers 1812-1826: A historic regiment first commanded by Argentine national hero José de San MartínJosé de San MartínJosé Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
in 1812. The regiment fought in the Argentine War of IndependenceArgentine War of IndependenceThe Argentine War of Independence was fought from 1810 to 1818 by Argentine patriotic forces under Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli and José de San Martín against royalist forces loyal to the Spanish crown...
and the Argentina-Brazil WarArgentina-Brazil WarThe Cisplatine War or the Argentine–Brazilian War was an armed conflict over an area known as Banda Oriental or "Eastern Shore" in the 1820s between the United Provinces of River Plate and the Empire of Brazil in the aftermath of the United Provinces' emancipation from Spain.-Background:Led by...
. The regiment was disbanded in 1826, but before that, in 1825 it had become the Presidential escort unit.
- The Mounted Grenadiers 1903-today: A modern regiment in the Argentine ArmyArgentine ArmyThe Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
which acts as the presidential guard of honour and national ceremonial unit. This regiment claims the heritage of the original regiment of 1812 but has no direct link or lineage.
The original Mounted Grenadiers of 1812-1826
The regiment was founded by Argentine national hero José de San MartínJosé de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
in 1812. The regiment fought in the Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo
The Battle of San Lorenzo was fought on February 3, 1813 in San Lorenzo, Argentina, then part of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. A Spanish Royalist army under the command of Antonio Zabala was defeated by the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, under the command of José de San Martín...
(1813), the Battle of Vilcapugio
Battle of Vilcapugio
The Battle of Vilcapugio was an action fought on October 1, 1813 during the second Campaign of Upper Peru in the Argentine War of Independence, where the republican forces led by General Manuel Belgrano were defeated by a pro-Spanish royalist army, led by Joaquin de la Pezuela.The campaign was...
(1813), the Battle of Ayohuma
Battle of Ayohuma
The Battle of Ayohuma was an action fought on 14 November 1813, during the second Upper Peru Campaign of the Argentine War of Independence...
(1813). The regiment also played a key role as part of the Army of the Andes
Army of the Andes
The Army of the Andes was a military force created by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and mustered by general José de San Martín in his campaign to free Chile from the Spanish Empire...
in the battles of Chacabuco
Battle of Chacabuco
The Battle of Chacabuco, fought during the Chilean War of Independence, occurred on February 12, 1817. The Army of the Andes of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata led by General Captain José de San Martín defeated the Spanish force led by Rafael Maroto...
(1817) and Maipú
Battle of Maipú
The Battle of Maipú was a battle fought near Santiago, Chile on April 5, 1818 between South American rebels and Spanish royalists, during the Chilean War of Independence...
(1818) in Chile. And later in Perú, Ecuador and Bolivia at the Battles of Riobamba, Pichincha
Battle of Pichincha
The Battle of Pichincha took place on 24 May 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, right next to the city of Quito, in modern Ecuador....
(1822) and Ayacucho
Battle of Ayacucho
The Battle of Ayacucho was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. It was the battle that sealed the independence of Peru, as well as the victory that ensured independence for the rest of South America...
(1824), and in the Argentina-Brazil War
Argentina-Brazil War
The Cisplatine War or the Argentine–Brazilian War was an armed conflict over an area known as Banda Oriental or "Eastern Shore" in the 1820s between the United Provinces of River Plate and the Empire of Brazil in the aftermath of the United Provinces' emancipation from Spain.-Background:Led by...
. The regimental strength had fallen to 120 men (troop size) and the regiment was disbanded in 1827, at the height of its final actions.
Raising of the Regiment
By the time then Lt. Col. of Cavalry Jose de San Martin arrived on March 9, 1812, the First TriumvirateFirst Triumvirate (Argentina)
The First Triumvirate was the executive body of government that replaced the Junta Grande in the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata...
recognized him and his services as a Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
officer. He then knew about the Argentine War of Independence, and the Argentine Army's organizational and strategy problems that he was ready to put his experiences in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
to good use.
On March 12, the Superior Provisional Government gave the order that recognized and confirmed his services. The letter that was written by the Triumvirate's members to the Government specified that Commander of the Horse Grenadiers Squadron about to be raised was one of his then titles, then given to him by the Triumvirate aside from his rank as a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry in the Spanish Army
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
. It was necessary for him to form a new cavalry corps, and that also included having parameters of personality and conduct, the rigorous training duties, and the unit's uniforms, pattered after that of the Swiss Army's Horse Grenadiers, among others.
His objective for the formation of the cavalry unit is that to become the fully trained unit helping the Argentine Army fulfill its tasks and win its battles, with the unit composed of native soldiers and officers trained in cavalry tactics and mounted combat skills.
On the same day, Lt. Col. San Martin began to raise the Horse Grenadiers Squadron. The job of raising it took a few months to complete.
Composition of the Horse Grenadiers Squadron (June 1812)
The unit was composed of:- Officers
- 2 Commanders and 8 Officers of Horse
- Non-commissioned Officers and Enlistees
- 9 SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
s of Horse - 3 CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
s of Horse - 31 Horse Grenadiers
- 9 Sergeant
- 1 Cavalry Trumpeter
Officers and commanders of the Squadron
- SquadronSquadronSquadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
: Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Jose de San Martin - Squadron Sergeant MajorSergeant MajorSergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
: Carlos Maria de AlvearCarlos María de AlvearCarlos María de Alvear was an Argentine soldier and statesman, Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata in 1815.... - AdjutantAdjutantAdjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
Major: Francisco Luzuriaga - Guidon Bearer: Manuel Hidalgo
1st Cavalry Troop
- Captain of Horse Jose Matias Zapiola
- Lieutenant of Horse Justo Bermudez
- Cornet Hipolito Bouchard
2nd Cavalry Troop
- Captain of Horse Pedro Vergara
- Lieutenant of Horse Agenor Murillio
- Cornet Mariano Necochea
Organization and Recruiting new Horse Grenadiers
In line with other armies of the era, Jose de San Martin's Horse Grenadiers Regiment became a model of the Argentine Army due to its strict training regimen and exemplary conduct expected of a Horse Grenadier. Rigorous military discipline, especially in maneuvers, training and parade drill became commonplace for the squadron, a model for modern armies of today.In recruiting new members of the unit, the San Martin Code of Honor, still used today by the Regiment, was a guide for strict military discipline at all times for every Horse Grenadier, either trooper, NCO and officer to follow. San Martin used it in every recruitment activity he led in order to form the Horse Grenadiers as a large full-time military unit.
Summary of the Regimental Code of Honor
The Regiment's lead as a example way of life was what San Martin envisioned for the Horse Grenadiers, a example led by living accordingly and by being good citizens of the nation and great soldiers of the Argentine Army, ready to fight for the nation.As a result of fierce discipline, the cult of valor and honor that Lt. Col. San Martin started in his unit, and the extremeness and rigorousness of military and physical instruction, he wrote his Guide for good habits from the officers as the honor code for the regiment's NCO's and enlisted personnel. This code of honor has exactly 14 points of honor, in which are written the proper norms of conduct and duty.
These are the simplified points :
- Avoiding cowardice in war
- Not admitting any adventure taken, just or unjust
- After insulting someone, he should be unsatisfied
- Always defending the unit's honor but avoiding having others in trouble
- Avoiding to trample farriers
- When having lack of interest, not giving money to the troop
- Having respect given to other military personnel
- Making secrets public (especially those from military officers)
- Always being familiar with military ranks and hierarchy of the NCOs'
- Having full respect for women without hurting them
- Helping companions when in trouble
- In public appearances, having women as prostitutes
- Games should be held but not with NCOs'
- Use words that can preserve the unity of the unit
San Martin added his own words to the code as a summary, and it states that: Of my Grenadiers however, they should be having values, just as I have. When it's insufficient, fill them, when it's exceeding, don't.
Development from Squadron to Regiment
San Martin's training and capacitance for the Horse Grenadiers worked, and on September 11, 1812, the 2nd Horse Grenadiers Squadron was decreed to be raised and so was for the 3rd Squadron in December, all by the 1st Triumviate.San Martin was now called by the authorities in Buenos Aires as the Commander of the Mounted Grenadiers, and on December 7 the Horse Grenadiers Regiment was officially raised, and he was promoted to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. It was on that month when the 3rd Squadron was finally formed, and the 4th Squadron would not be formed until 1815.
The Mounted Grenadiers of 1903-today
In 1903, the Regiment was reinstated, and after 4 years it returned to the role of a Presidential honor guard escort.Role
At the present day, the regiment acts as the presidential guard and also fulfills ceremonial protocol functions. It is the caretaker of the Casa RosadaCasa Rosada
La Casa Rosada is the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina, and of the offices of the President. The President normally lives at the Quinta de Olivos, a compound in Olivos, Buenos Aires Province. Its characteristic color is pink, and is considered one of the most...
, the Argentine Presidential Palace at the eastern end of the famous Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is the main square in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is flanked by Hipólito Yrigoyen, Balcarce, Rivadavia and Bolívar streets....
, nearby some historical and cultural landmarks like the Buenos Aires Cabildo, in which the Regiment of Patricians serve as caretakers, the Buenos Aires City Hall, and the Buenos Aires Cathedral. They also take ceremonial and security duties at the various residences of the President of Argentina
President of Argentina
The President of the Argentine Nation , usually known as the President of Argentina, is the head of state of Argentina. Under the national Constitution, the President is also the chief executive of the federal government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.Through Argentine history, the...
nationwide.
Full dress uniform and weapons of the Horse Grenadiers Regiment
Officers- ShakoShakoA shako is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a peak or visor and sometimes tapered at the top...
- Red/Blue Pompom
- Blue polo dress/battle uniform and pants
- Gold Grenade badgeBadgeA badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
- Black Leather boots
- 9 gold ButtonButtonIn modern clothing and fashion design, a button is a small fastener, most commonly made of plastic, but also frequently of seashell, which secures two pieces of fabric together. In archaeology, a button can be a significant artifact. In the applied arts and in craft, a button can be an example of...
s - Cavalry sabreSabreThe sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
belt - Cavalry sabre with scabbardScabbardA scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...
- EpauletteEpauletteEpaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
(blue with red piping)
Enlisted and NCOs
- Shako
- Violet pompom
- Yellow grenade badge
- Buttons
- Epaulette (scarlet with red piping)
- Sabres, cavalry CarbineCarbineA carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
s (optional), lanceLanceA Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the...
s - Blue polo uniform and pants
- Black leather boots
Alto Peru Mounted Fanfare Band
Established in 1929 as the musical support unit of the Mounted Grenadiers Regiment, this is one of the many military bands in the service of the Argentine Army, and one of the Army's few cavalry mounted bands. Like the bands of the British Army's Royal Armoured CorpsRoyal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army...
and Household Cavalry, and the French Army's Cavalry Branch and the French National Gendarmerie's Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment, the band plays not just as a regular military band but also as a mounted band.
When mounted on horseback, it has trumpet, helicons, tubas, euphoniums, baritones, 4 timpani and 1 glockenspiel, and the band is led by two Directors of Music. But when on the ground, the instrumentation is of trumpets, valve trombones, mellowphones, tubas, baritones, euphoniums, 1 snare drum, 1-2 bass drums, cymbals, 1 glockenspiel, and field snare drums, and is led by not just the two Directors of Music but by the band's Drum Major.