Republic Army, to 1903
copyright 2007, James Womack and Jim Stewart
The first ‘army’ of the Republic was really a citizen’s militia. The troops were mostly farmers and clerks, using hunting weapons more often than not. They were ill-trained and ill-equipped, but possessed a very high spirit and competent leadership. Fortunately, their foes in the War of Independence were generally not well-trained, often lacking in equipment, had less-than-competent leadership, and by and large suffered from much lower morale.
While the Texican Militia managed to defeat an overconfident foe in the Mexican Army, it would have stood little chance against any of the major powers at the time. For ten years, the Army consisted of no more than a handful of professional officers and a battalion of Regulars. The Regulars’ were widely scattered in small numbers, providing garrisons at a few important posts, and a company of Guards in the capital. The Army was not truly organized until the first Manual of Organization and Equipments, authorized in 1846.
With the rejection of annexation, the Republic’s government decided that it would have to take steps to ensure the integrity of its borders. Mexico suddenly loomed as a major threat to Texas’ sovereignty without the protection of the United States. The 1846 Manual created a larger professional army, based around the regiment. This regimental system of organization lasted until the Army Reform Act of 1903.
Rank structure is consistent through all three branches of the Army
Army Table of Ranks, 1846 to Present
|
Enlisted Men |
Commissioned Officers | ||
|
E1 |
Private |
O1 |
Subaltern |
|
E2 |
Trooper |
O2 |
Lieutenant |
|
E3 |
Corporal |
O3 |
Captain |
|
E4 |
Sergeant |
O4 |
Major |
|
E5 |
Colour Sergeant |
O5 |
Lieutenant Colonel |
|
E6 |
Gunnery Sergeant |
O6 |
Colonel |
|
E7 |
Regimental Sergeant Major |
O7 |
Brigadier General |
|
|
|
O8 |
Major General |
Equipment
Infantry enlisted men and non-commissioned officers were armed with the general service rifle of the time and a Bowie-type sword bayonet with a twelve-inch blade. In addition, they carried a pack, blanket, canteen, cartridge box and haversack. The blanket was dark gray, rolled and fastened atop the pack with two straps. Pack, cartridge boxes and haversack were brown leather. Canteens were steel, covered with brown leather.
Commissioned officers were armed with service pistol and sword. These were carried in black leather holster and scabbard. Black leather ammunition pouches were carried on the pistol belt. Officers did not wear packs, as their equipment was carried in the baggage, but did carry a canteen.
Uniforms
The 1846 uniform of the Republic Army consisted of tunic and trousers, boots and a stovepipe shako. The tunic was dark blue. Trousers were gray with an infantry black inch-wide stripe along the outside leg seam, indicating the branch of service. Boots, belts, scabbards and gear were black leather. The black shako was fitted with the infantry device, a rifle under a single star.
Officers below the rank of major have a gold cord on their shako; officers higher than captains wear a bicorne hat instead, fitted with the infantry badge on the right side. Majors and higher also wear riding boots in place of the standard infantry boot, as they were more often mounted than not. Officer uniforms were also of much higher quality cloth and manufacture than those of the infantry – they were paid for from the officer’s own pocket, not the Treasury.
In 1851, the headgear was changed to the now familiar campaign cover. The cord and acorns on the cover are infantry black. Officers have a black and gold braided cord. The badge on the front remains the same, with the addition of a wreath around the star for officers.
In 1871, this uniform was modified to the much more practical tunic and trousers of matching butternut (“khaki”) color. The trousers are modified to include black piping along the outside seam rather than a wide ribbon. A banded collar shirt (usually white) is worn beneath the tunic, and leather suspenders were issued for the trousers. Headgear remained the familiar campaign cover, now a dark chocolate brown. Low boots, belts, suspenders, and scabbards were brown leather; brown puttees were worn wrapped around the lower leg as well.
Training
Basic recruit training requires a nine-week course. Each regiment (until 1903) was responsible for recruiting and training its own troops. The training regimen was first standardized in 1867, during the Maximilian War, to improve the quality of troops.
Organization
The basic unit of infantry during the period 1846 to 1903 is the regiment. Each man either enlists or is commissioned into a regiment. Most enlisted men and NCO’s will spend their entire career in the same regiment. Commissioned officers migrate between regiments, as opportunities for promotion become available in one regiment or another. However, many subalterns cherish the hope of returning to command their original regiment some day.
Each regiment is recruited from a specific district within the Republic. This gave rise to the practice of naming the regiments for the area in which they were originally raised. For example, the 1st Bell County Infantry Regiment was raised originally in – you guessed it – Bell County.
Infantry regiments are divided into two battalions. Nominally, one battalion at a time is in field service while one is at the regimental headquarters. This ‘reserve’ battalion is tasked primarily with recruiting and training. The battalions are rotated as necessary to maintain minimal strength in the field. Each regiment is also assigned a militia battalion, which may join the main regiment in times of war. The regiment is further divided as shown in the table below.
Infantry Organization, 1846-1903
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Squad |
8 men |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Platoon |
2 squads |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Company |
2 Platoons |
Colour Sergeant. |
Captain |
|
Battalion |
8 Companies |
Gunny |
Major |
|
Regiment |
2 Battalions |
RSM |
Colonel |
In addition to the units shown above, each battalion and regiment has a staff component. Battalion staffs include a security platoon, quartermasters, runners and an aide and an orderly for the commander. Regimental staffs include a security platoon, the regimental band (double as medical orderlies), a small medical staff, quartermasters (including wagon drivers), runners, aides and an orderly. The total paper strength of an infantry regiment was thus 829 men.
Regiments form into larger units, called brigades, on an ad hoc basis. Most brigades contain two to three regiments. Brigades are commanded by brigadier generals. These brigades could be formed into an army, containing two to four brigades, which was commanded by a major general.
Equipment
Regular cavalry troopers and Texas Rangers were armed with standard issue carbine, pistol and saber. Lancers were armed with lance, pistol and saber. Officers of all three cavalry branches were armed with pistol and saber.
Troopers are also issued three canteens, a bedroll, mess kit, and haversack. Most possessions are carried on the regulation tack or in saddlebags.
Uniforms
In 1846, the standard uniform of the cavalry consisted of tunic and trousers, boots and a variety of headgear. The tunic was black. A shirt of light cotton was worn underneath in a variety of colors. Trousers were gray with an inch-wide green stripe along the outside leg seam, indicating the branch of service. Boots, belts, scabbards and gear were black leather. Regular cavalry and the Rangers both wore black shakos, with green cords. Regular cavalry shakos were fitted with a badge of crossed sabers under a single star. Rangers wore the Ranger badge instead. Lancers wore a tall helmet, fitted with a green horsehair plume and a badge of crossed lances under a single star. In addition, they wore the only body armor in the Republic’s armed forces: a steel corselet.
Officers below the rank of major wore a gold cord on their shako; officers higher in rank than captains wore a bicorne hat instead (fore and aft), fitted with the cavalry division badge on the right side. Lancer officers wore no differentiation in headgear – they were marked by their lack of a lance. As in the infantry, officer uniforms were of much higher quality cloth and manufacture than those of the troops.
In 1851, the headgear for Regular and Ranger cavalry was changed to the now familiar campaign cover. The cord and acorns on the cover are cavalry green. Officers have a green and gold braided cord. The badge on the front remains the same, with the addition of a wreath around the star for officers. Lancers maintained their helmets until 1871, when they exchanged both helm and corselet for uniforms identical to those of the other cavalry units.
Since 1871, the cavalry has worn butternut uniforms similar to those of the infantry. Cavalry uniforms utilize a ‘riding’ cut and reinforced thighs in the trousers, with green tape along the outside seam. Brown riding boots and brown leather equipage are standard gear. The campaign cover is decorated with crossed sabers (regular cavalry), crossed lances (lancers), or the Texas Ranger Badge. Acorns and cord on the cover are cavalry green; officers have a braided green and gold cord.
Training
Unlike the infantry, who trained at a variety of locations across the Republic, the cavalry trains all recruits at a single location. Cavalry basic training was held at Fort Stockton. Basic training lasted for thirteen weeks, and included marksmanship, care of horses, riding and ‘military indoctrination.’
Camelry
Since 1857, the cavalry has also included the 1st Texican Camel Regiment, and at times, up to three additional camel regiments. After their initial training at Fort Stockton, these troops face six additional weeks of training in camel handling and desert tactics and survival at nearby Fort Davis. Excepting for differences in tack necessary for the different mount, camelry equipment is identical to that of the regular cavalry.
Organization
The cavalry has been divided into four-man squads. Two such squads, with the addition of a sergeant and officer (Subaltern or Lieutenant) form a troop of cavalry, the basic operating unit. As with the infantry, most enlisted men and NCOs remain in the same cavalry regiment for their entire careers. Officers may change regiments or even move from lancers to regular cavalry to camelry and back.
Another common feature with the infantry is the regional nature of each cavalry regiment. The regiments are named for the district or region in which they were originally recruited. For example, the Fort Worth Light Horse was originally recruited in Fort Worth.
The Texas Rangers is an elite cavalry unit. They are the toughest of the tough. Rangers are expected to outfight the Comanches, outsmart the French, and outmaneuver the Apaches. There is an old saying in Texas: “One riot, one Ranger.” This sums them up very well.
Cavalry Organization, 1846-1903
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Squad |
4 men |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Troop |
2 squads |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Squadron |
2 Troops |
Colour Sgt. |
Captain |
|
Battalion |
8 Squadrons |
Gunny |
Major |
|
Regiment |
2 Battalions |
RSM |
Colonel |
Unlike the infantry, it was extremely rare for the cavalry to organize into units larger than the regiment. In fact, it was much more common for a regiment to be divided up into battalions or squadrons for detached duty, attached to infantry units.
Also unlike the infantry, regimental and battalion staffs are quite small. Battalion staffs include a security squad, quartermasters, runners, aides and an orderly. Regimental staffs are similar, but have a troop for security and an additional aide. Total official strength for a cavalry regiment was 508 officers and other ranks.
Artillery forces for the Republic in this era were rather sharply divided between Garrison Artillery and Field Artillery. Garrison Artillery was responsible for the development, maintenance, manning and operation of the larger artillery pieces situated in permanent fortifications. This includes all shore batteries as well. Field Artillery was tasked with providing artillery support for maneuvering elements of the Republic’s Army. Field Artillery considers the Garrison Artillery to be lazy and incompetent; Garrison Artillery considers Field Artillery to be dirty and unrefined.
Uniforms
Both Garrison and Field Artillery wear similar uniforms. The only official difference is the design of the campaign cover badge from 1851 onwards.
From 1846 to 1871, artillery crews wore blue tunics, with gray trousers. The trousers had the traditional red tape along the seam. Headgear was officially a stovepipe shako, with a grenade device. In practice, gun crews lost their shakos as soon as possible and replaced them with non-uniform hats. Field artillery often worked in shirtsleeves as well.
From 1871, the uniform is identical to infantry except for two particulars. First, the piping color on the trousers is artillery red, not infantry black. Second, the device on the campaign cover differs as well. Garrison artillery covers feature a device of a pair of crossed cannon barrels superimposed over a castle. Field artillery covers feature a pair of crossed cannon barrels superimposed over a wheel. Field artillery crews have also worn a black and red checkered neckerchief as an unofficial part of their field uniform item since 1862. The significance of this neckerchief is a closely guarded secret of the field artillery.
Organization
Garrison Artillery organized into units called presidios, each more or less permanently based at a specific fort or town. Each presidio consisted of up to six battalions of guns, with up to 96 guns total, depending on the size of the fortification. Artillery was always subordinated to the infantry or cavalry commander of the fort. Most shore fortification presidios were armed with 32 to 64 pdr smoothbore cannon until 1862, when the first large rifled guns become available. Furnaces were also commonly used for heating shot until the ironclad became prevalent. Frontier presidios were fitted with 12 to 32 pdr smoothbores until the Santa Fe 3” came into service.
Garrison Artillery Organization, 1846-1903
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Gun |
Varies by type |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Battery |
3 - 4 Guns |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Battalion |
4 Batteries |
Colour Sgt. |
Captain |
|
Presidio |
Varied by fort |
Gunny |
Major |
Field Artillery was organized into battalions, attached to infantry regiments. Each battalion is distinguished with a battalion number, in consecutive order in which the battalion was raised. Most have unofficial names that are nonetheless commonly used when referring to the separate batteries (i.e., the “Gonzalez Light Battery” rather than “12th Battalion”). Batteries are designated A, B, C and D within the battalion. Batteries usually consisted of two sorts, ‘cannon’ batteries with two 6-pdr guns and a 12-pdr gun, or ‘howitzer’ batteries with two 6-pdr guns and a 24-pdr howitzer. Occasionally, a Heavy Battery would be formed, with three 12-pdr guns.
Field Artillery Organization, 1846-1903
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Gun |
3 men |
Sergeant |
N/A |
|
Battery |
3 Guns |
Colour Sgt. |
Lieutenant |
|
Battalion |
4 Batteries |
Gunny |
Major |
Equipment
The soldiers of the artillery primarily rely on infantry for direct protection. However, each soldier is issued the carbine version of the current service rifle and the standard bayonet. Officers are armed as infantry officers, with service pistol and sword.
The most common light artillery piece until 1901 was the muzzle-loading 6-pdr smoothbore gun. This gun was highly transportable, along with its limber and ammunition, and could easily keep up with most infantry columns. It was also small enough to be taken into rough country, as was sometimes necessary in the wide Texas prairies. The 6-pdr, and its larger cousins, the 12-, 24-, 32-, and 64-pdr guns, were flat trajectory cannon. This gave them a solid punch and ease of laying in a direct fire mode, but the field carriage was incapable of elevation suitable for effective indirect fire. The 6-pdr caisson was usually filled with a 4-3-2-1 ratio of shot/shell/shrapnel/grape. It carried 40 rounds of ammunition and powder.
The general service howitzer until 1901 was the muzzle-loading 24-pdr howitzer. Unlike the field guns, the howitzer was specifically designed to lob explosive shells in a high arc to its target, over-flying intervening obstacles (walls, hills, and the like). Its performance in direct fire was less impressive, because of an inability to depress the barrel adequately. Lighter than a field piece of equivalent bore, the howitzer weighed only slightly more than the 6-pdr field piece so common in Texas service. This enabled it to keep pace with the remainder of the battery. The limber usually carried thirty-two shells and equivalent powder.
The Model 1900 Santa Fe 3” gun came into service beginning in 1901. It is an improvement on the Model 1897 75-mm gun developed by the French. The main improvement is the ability to shift the barrel within its carriage to a high angle mounting and switch to low-velocity rounds, converting the gun into a howitzer in a matter of minutes. The Santa Fe 3” replaced both the 6-pdr and the 24-pdr howitzer in field service.
Gatling guns were adopted into the Artillery in 1872. Fitted with lightweight carriages, they are attached to both cavalry and infantry regiments. Gatling guns were replaced in field service in 1888 by the Maxim gun.
Republic Army, since 1903
Many things remained unchanged by the Army Reform Act of 1903. The rank system, for instance, was unchanged, as was the division of the Army into three branches. However, the ways these three branches were related to one another did change, as did methods of recruitment, training and other essential functions.
Organization
Squads and platoons remained the same. Companies added a third infantry platoon and a fourth ‘Weapons’ Platoon, consisting of light mortars and machine guns. Battalions kept their eight companies, but A Company became a ‘command’ company, consisting of two platoons of light horse (mounted infantry), a heavy mortar platoon, and a command platoon. Regiments grew larger, adding a single militia battalion and an organic artillery battalion.
Brigades, the new permanent major unit, combined three regiments of infantry with other specialized units. First among these new units was the T&R (Training and Recruitment) Company. This unit was responsible for training for the entire brigade. Three of its platoons were cadre, drawn from each of the three regiments in the brigade. The fourth platoon was the recruit platoon, tasked with finding new soldiers. The next new unit (after 1909) was the Aeroscout Squadron. This consisted of six aeroplanes fitted with cameras for aerial reconnaissance. Brigades also fielded medical units, transport companies, and other administrative functions.
Infantry Organization, 1903-1959
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Cmd. Officer |
|
Squad |
8 men |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Platoon |
2 Squads |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Company |
4 Platoons |
Colour Sgt. |
Captain |
|
Battalion |
8 Companies |
Gunny |
Major |
|
Regiment |
4 Battalions |
RSM |
Colonel |
|
Brigade |
3 Regiments, plus |
N/A |
Brigadier |
|
Division |
3 Brigades, plus |
N/A |
Lt. General |
|
Corps |
2 Divisions, plus |
N/A |
Maj. General |
|
Army |
|
|
General |
Brigades are the largest permanent field organization. Divisions and corps exist only as administrative units, with brigades of infantry, cavalry and artillery assigned as needed.
The Republic Cavalry undergoes several changes in the 1903 Reform and afterwards.
Cavalry/Camelry
Organization
In 1903, the Lancers are retrained and made into Regular Cavalry. The lose their distinctive uniforms and their long lances, but retain their regimental names, so that to this day, certain armor units are referred to as “Lancer” regiments.
Experiences and losses during the Great War show that cavalry has finally had its last hurrah. The axe falls in 1921. The Camelry is completely disbanded, troopers being either used as armored car crews or allowed to muster out. The Regular cavalry is nearly as hard hit: only two squadrons are kept for ceremonial duties. The remaining officers and troopers are pushed either into armor, the infantry, or retirement.
Even the elite Texas Rangers are reduced to a mere two regiments, used along the badlands of the Mexican border. These regiments will finally be transferred into Elite Forces training in 1938, ending the era of horse soldiers in the Republic.
Cavalry Organization, 1903-1938
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Squad |
4 men |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Troop |
2 squads |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Squadron |
2 Troops |
Colour Sgt. |
Captain |
|
Battalion |
8 Squadrons |
Gunny |
Major |
|
Regiment |
2 Battalions |
RSM |
Colonel |
Uniforms
In 1918, new uniforms are issued, identical to armor uniforms except for headgear, which remains the standard campaign cover.
Armor
Organization
What the Great War taketh away, it also gaveth. Tanks first appear in Texican hands in 1917. Armored cars had been in use (especially in Palestine) since 1916. Both types of units were originally designated as cavalry formations, and were largely crewed by hastily retrained cavalrymen.
Armor Organization, 1917-2036
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Crew |
3 men |
Corporal |
N/A |
|
Troop |
4 Crews |
Sergeant |
Lieutenant |
|
Squadron |
3 Troops |
Colour Sgt. |
Captain |
|
Battalion |
4 Squadrons |
Gunny |
Major |
|
Regiment |
2 Battalions, plus |
RSM |
Colonel |
Vehicle Crew Uniforms, 1916-19XX
Campaign covers, riding pants and calf-length boots may have served horse-mounted cavalry well, but inside an armored vehicle, they were simply impractical. Armor crews kept their old cavalry uniforms for non-field duty, but adopted a more practical field uniform.
The crew uniform consisted of bib overalls and jacket in khaki, with a banded collar shirt (usually but not always white) underneath. In hot climates, the jacket was usually not worn while in the vehicle. Headgear was a leather helmet while in the vehicle (to protect from banging around in motion) and a soft cloth cap in army khaki for field duty outside of the vehicle.
Army Air Corps (from 1920)
Organization
The Army Air Corps is organized by numbers of aircraft in a unit’s nominal strength. All pilots are officers. Ground crew units are attached at the squadron level and higher, although each aircraft has its own assigned flight and ground crew. The size of each crew depends on the individual aircraft; bombers have larger crews than fighters.
Air Regiments, Wings and Squadrons are designated by their primary function, either Fighter, Bomber, or Transport.
Air Corps Organization, 1920-
|
Unit |
Complement |
NCO |
Officer |
|
Stick |
2 Aircraft |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Flight |
2 Sticks |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Squadron |
6 Flights, plus |
|
|
|
Wing |
4 Squadrons, plus |
|
|
|
Air Regiment |
2 Wings, plus |
|
|
During World War II, a larger unit known as an Air Group was created. The First Air Group remained in Texas throughout the war. The Second Air Group fought in the African and European theaters. The Third Air Group was assigned duty in the Pacific.
Ground-based assets of the Air Corps varied according to the size of the unit.
Squadron level ground assets included ground crews (mechanics and armorers for each aircraft), quartermasters (responsible for upkeep of the airfield as well as food and supplies), and a small command staff. Squadron commanders still flew, but their staff did not. In addition, each squadron airfield was assigned a security force, usually an infantry company.
Wing commanders no longer had the luxury of flying with their pilots – their responsibilities kept them on the ground. Wing staff included the commander, his orderly and aides, communications staff, etc. Wing staff usually had direct control over an independent fighter stick configured for reconnaissance missions.
Uniforms
Field Artillery works primarily as organic battalions of infantry regiments, but also as separate heavy field battalions attached as needed at the brigade, division and corps levels. These use the more powerful 6” heavy guns, not light 3” field pieces.
Garrison Artillery is changed to a militia posting.
Military Decorations of the Republic
The Lone Star Cross (LSC) is the highest decoration for valor awarded in the Texican military. It was first awarded in 1870, retroactive through the Maximilian War. In order to receive the award, an individual must perform an act of outstanding bravery or valor in combat that is witnessed or verified by at least two reliable sources. To date, 243 Crosses have been awarded.
The Cross itself is a gold Maltese cross, with a single, silver star, central. The award is suspended from a plain royal blue ribbon.
Additional awards of the Cross are denoted by a single small gold star on the ribbon bar. This has happened a total of three times.
Silver star, profile of Sam Houston bust, central. Hangs from a red ribbon.
Wound Stripe (aka the Bloody Slash)
For receiving an enemy-inflicted wound in battle, a member of the Republic’s armed forces is eligible to receive a Wound Stripe. This takes the form of a red ribbon, four inches in length, one half inch wide, with the location of the battle in gold on the ribbon. The ribbon is sewn diagonally at a 45 degree angle above the cuff on the left sleeve. Multiple awards are possible; additional ribbons are affixed above the original. This decoration is not worn on field uniforms, but may be displayed on garrison or parade uniform.
The Republic does not issue any other decorations except for campaign medals.