History of the Papal Army, 18...

A Brief History of the Papal Army, 1860 - 1900

(Author's Note: This is a work of fiction, and is not to be considered any sort of reliable history on the Papal States. Some of the names and events are real, but most of the following is fictional, and does not endorse any political or religious viewpoint. Primarily, it is a way to introduce the idea of Pontifical troops into my Victorian Science Fiction wargaming, because I thought that would be fun. And yes, I am Catholic.)

1860

Jan 01 Pope Pius IX publicly requests “a new order of Templar knights, holy warriors to defend the Faith and the Holy See.” His message is relayed in every Catholic church and mission around the world.

Feb 14 Six hundred Irish men arrive in Rome to volunteer for service in the new Papal Army. Twelve thousand more from Ireland, Quebec, France, Spain, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands and other Italian states will join as well. Four hundred Texicans will eventually make their way to Rome to serve in the Pontifical Forces.

Sep 18 In Italy, the heavily outnumbered Papal forces miraculously defeat the Army of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia at the Battle of Castelfidardo. Pope Pius IX excommunicates King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont-Sardinia as a result of the attempted invasion of the Holy See.

Nov 12 King Victor Emmanuel II is assassinated by a radical Catholic from Austria. The Austrian connection leads his heir, sixteen-year-old Umberto I, to declare war on Austria. Thus distracted, Piedmont-Sardinia is unable to continue its assault on the Papal States of central Italy. Disaster for the Papal State is avoided.

1861

Mar 03 With no hopes of uniting the Italian peninsula through the Papal States, Ferdinand II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies signs a treaty guaranteeing the continuance of the Papal States. Pope Pius IX refuses to discuss rumors of a threat of excommunication and interdiction to sway Ferdinand II.

Apr 03 The Pope releases most of the volunteer Papal Army to return to their homes. Emperor Napoleon III of France sends French troops to guarantee the security of the Papal States against so-called "Italian nationalist agitators."

May 11 Giuseppe Garibaldi invades the island of Sicily with just one thousand men, intent on conquering it and presenting the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to the Piedmontese King Umberto I, bringing his dream of Italian unification one step closer to fulfillment. Garibaldi's men are uniformed in their trademark red shirts.

Jul 26 Garibaldi finishes conquest of Sicily with the surrender of the city of Messina. He immediately moves on to the mainland portion of the Neapolitan kingdom, intent on subduing the entire Kingdom and annexing it to the Piedmontese in the north of Italy.

Oct 1-2 Battle of the Volturnus. Garibaldi's army of 24,000 men narrowly defeats the remaining Neapolitan forces of 25,000 troops at the Volturnus River. Ferdinand II retreats to the fortress of Gaeta with the remains of his army.

Oct 26 King Umberto I meets Garibaldi in Naples, and accepts the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Garibaldi's hands. Umberto becomes the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.

1862

Jun Italian nationalist leader Giuseppe Garibaldi raises troops in southern Italy, intent on the conquest of Rome and the total unification of Italy through the Papal States. He erroneously believes that the Kingdom of Italy's government secretly supports his activities.

Aug 28 While fighting against Italian troops in the Aspromonte, Giuseppe Garibaldi is wounded in the foot. The wound turns septic, and Garibaldi dies on Sept 06, 1862. His 'redshirt' volunteers quickly disintegrate without his strong personality to bind them together.

1868

Jan 01 Pius IX creates a permanent Army of the Holy See of Saint Peter. Sixteen regiments of infantry, two cavalry regiments and four batteries of artillery make up the land forces. The infantry regiments include two regiments of Papal Zouaves as light infantry, trained in skirmishing duties. In addition, Pius IX begins to plan the construction of twelve Apostle-class ironclad coastal monitors.

1869

Mar 01 The Papal Army's first four infantry regiments are commissioned. French regular troops, who had been protecting Rome and the rest of the Papal States from the Kingdom of Italy, are withdrawn permanently.

1871

Jul 30 The first two Apostle-class ironclads are launched in Ossetia. The Saint Peter and Saint John the Apostle are fitted with two turrets, each mounting two 10-inch rifled guns.

1872

Organization of the Army of the Holy See of Saint Peter, circa 1879:

Political Command Structure

The political command of the Army of the Holy See of Saint Peter is centered, as are all things in the Catholic Church, on the authority of the Pope as the successor to Saint Peter. As the supreme pontiff and temporal ruler of the Papal States, he is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces as well. In practice, the Holy Father has little to do with the day-to-day operations and functions of the army. He has appointed a Cardinal to oversee the armed forces of the Vatican, with the title of Cardinal-General of the Armed Forces of the Holy See. Neither men wear military uniforms, but instead dress in the appropriate clerical garments. The Cardinal-General does wear a sword on ceremonial occasions.

Naturally, the political command listens closely to the advice of the trained military officers under them. The officers and the Cardinal-General are tasked with leading any defense of the Holy See without need of the approval of the Holy Father. This approval has, in fact, been granted in advance. However, only a direct command from the Pope can grant permission for the Army to move past the borders of the Papal States in an offensive maneuver against an external threat.

Regular Military Ranks

The Army of the Holy See generally divides its members into two categories, as is seen in most other armies of the era: officers and enlisted men.

Officers are expected to be fully competent leaders of men and proper gentlemen as well. Naturally, all officers of the Army are devout Catholics; membership in the faith is a requirement to commissioning. In the Army of the Holy See, officers and other ranks are issued essentially the same uniforms, except for quality of materials and rank distinctions. Some officers have made unofficial modifications to their uniforms at their own expense. This is permitted. Uniform Rank Distinctions are noted along with the rank in the listings below. Priests attached to the Army wear the appropriate clerical vestments and do not usually carry weapons. Officers are armed with swords and revolvers.

Commissioned Ranks

General – Usual function is as Colonel of a Regiment, but may command multiple brigades as necessary. Wreathed pair of gold Stars of Bethlehem
Brigadier – Usual function is as Colonel of a Regiment, but may command a brigade of up to three regiments plus supporting artillery. Wreathed gold Star of Bethlehem
Colonel – Commands a regiment, either of foot or horse. Gold Star of Bethlehem.
Lieutenant Colonel – Second-in-command of a regiment, often the battlefield commander if the regiment is commanded by a general officer. Silver Star of Bethlehem.
Major – Commands a battalion of foot, a squadron of horse, or a battery of guns. Two gold pips.
Captain – Commands a company of foot, a troop of horse, or a battery of guns. One gold pip.
Lieutenant – Commands a platoon of foot, a file of horse, or a section of guns. Two silver pips.
Ensign – an officer cadet, an ensign has no command but may assume control of a platoon on the battlefield if the original leader is lost. One silver pip.

Enlisted men are usually volunteers from other Catholic nations, although there are quite a few from Canada, the United States, and the Republic of Texas, which are a majority of Protestant faiths.

The uniform of the army was changed in 1876.

Regular infantry wear a dark purple coat with white epaulets (when worn) over white trousers, with black equipment and boots. Headgear is a purple kepi. The cap emblem of the regular infantry is a shield embossed with a stylized crosier. Papal Zouaves wear the traditional costume of the Zouaves, with loose fitting white pantaloons, white shirt, purple vest with white trim, and often a purple fez. Equipment and boots are again black. Both Zouaves and regular infantry are armed with a breech-loading rifle and bayonet.

Artillery crewmen are dressed identically to the regular infantry with the exception of the cap badge, which is a shield with an orb surmounted by a cross. Gunners are armed with rifles to defend themselves.

Cavalry troopers wear white tunic and trousers, piped in dark purple, with black leather equipment and boots. Headgear is usually white, sometimes a sun helmet with purple puggaree. The cap emblem is a shield with a Templar Cross. Cavalrymen are armed with rifle, bayonet, and saber. They receive some training in mounted combat, but are generally deployed as dragoons, dismounting to fight. Some cavalrymen have been known to carry numerous revolvers for close combat. This is unofficial, but is widely permitted by the officers.

Enlisted Ranks

Regimental Sergeant Major – senior NCO of the regiment. Three chevrons, point down, two rockers, with a crown device.
Master Gunnery Sergeant – senior NCO of the battery. Three chevrons, point down, with a rocker and a grenade device.
Colour Sergeant – senior battalion/squadron NCO. Three chevrons, point down, with a rocker.
Gunnery Sergeant – Commands a single gun. Three chevrons, point down, with a grenade device.
Sergeant – Commands a half-platoon of foot, or a sub-file of horse. Three chevrons, point down
Corporal – Assists sergeant, acts as bugler or standard bearer. Two chevrons, point down.
Watch-stander – A literate private, able to perform certain duties in garrison and therefore slightly better paid. One chevron, point down.
Private/Trooper/Gunner – Title depends on branch of service. No rank distinctions.

Infantry Organization:

Platoon – 20 men, including sergeant and lieutenant, divided into two half-platoons of ten men each. Sergeant may command one detached half-platoon at the officer’s direction.
Company – three platoons. One platoon is commanded by a Captain rather than a Lieutenant, and is assigned an additional sergeant (total of 61 men)
Battalion – nine companies, plus command platoon. The command consists of the Major, his executive officer (a senior Captain), the battalion priest (often a Jesuit), two Ensigns, Color Sergeant, two Sergeants, two Corporals, and ten privates. The Other Ranks perform security and menial duties for the command staff. (569 men, total)
Regiment – three battalions, plus command section. Command section consists of a regular platoon of foot, a section of regimental guns (4 Gatling guns, two 3” field guns), a file of horse, plus the Regimental Command: Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, the regimental priest and two deacons, surgeon and assistant, two senior staff officers (Majors and Captains), two junior staff officers (Lieutenants), a Regimental Sergeant Major, and eight bandsmen/stretcher bearers. (781 officers and men, total)

Of the existing sixteen regiments of infantry in the Army of the Holy See, fourteen are regular infantry, and two regiments are Papal Zouaves. The Zouaves in particular have a reputation for ferocity and tenacity, and the Second Papal Zouaves (Pio Nono's Own) are an elite group of veteran soldiers.

Cavalry Organization:

File – 20 horsemen, organized into two sub-files. One Lieutenant in command, plus one Sergeant who often commands the second sub-file, two Corporals (one pennant, one bugler), and 16 troopers.
Troop – 2 files, plus a Captain and additional Corporal (bugler). 42 officers and men.
Squadron – 3 troops, and command file: CO (Major), XO (a senior Captain), priest, two Ensigns, veterinarian, Colour Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, two Corporals, nine troopers. 146 officers and men.
Regiment – 2 squadrons, and command section. Command Section: Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, priest, two deacons, surgeon and assistant, veterinarian, two farrier-sergeants, two senior staff officers, two junior staff officers, Regimental Sergeant Major, five Corporals (messengers), a section of regimental guns (three 3” field guns), plus a file of troopers for security, servants, etc. 344 officers and other ranks.

Artillery

Organization:

Gun – a single weapon, usually served by a four man crew. Either a Gatling gun or a light field piece. Commanded by a Gunnery Sergeant. 4 men.
Section – 3 to 6 guns. Commanded by a Lieutenant. 13-25 men.
Battery – 6 gun sections. Commanded by a Major. In addition, has a command section, including an executive officer (Captain), Master Gunnery Sergeant, veterinarian, two farrier-sergeants, two ensigns, surgeon and assistant, armorer and assistant, and twelve caisson teams. Approx 186 officers and men.

Recruitment

Most of the troops of the Pontifical Forces are volunteers from other nations. The rest are tax-levy volunteers from the Papal States, serving in the military in lieu of a portion of their family’s taxes.

The Navy of the Holy See of Saint Peter, ca. 1875

Rank Structure:

Political Command Structure:

His Holiness, the Pope, High Commander of the Army of the Holy See of Saint Peter. Papal vestments.
Cardinal-General of the Armed Forces of the Holy See. Clerical Vestments.

Regular Military Ranks:

Officer’s uniform:

White peaked cap, black leather brim. Dark blue jacket over white shirt. White trousers, with purple tape along the outside seam. Black leather equipment. When armed, officers carry a revolver and sword. Rank distinctions noted at end of rank description.

Enlisted uniform:

Flat cap or straw hat, depending on season. Blue jacket with flap in rear, white trousers. When armed, carry rifle and cutlass. Often, enlisted sailors are in less than full uniform. Rank distinctions noted at end of rank description.

Admiral – One of three, commanding a squadron of ships or the ports. Wreathed gold Cruciform anchor
Captain – Commander of one major vessel of the Navy (to date, the Apostle-class ironclads). Gold Cruciform anchor
Lieutenant-Commander – A Lieutenant in command of a lesser vessel of the Navy, usually a sloop or cutter. Silver Cruciform anchor
Lieutenant – Officer aboard ship, usually in charge of a department (Gunnery, Engineering, Navigation, etc.). The First Lieutenant is the executive officer for the ship. Gold fouled anchor.
Midshipman – An officer in training. Usually commands a division within a ship’s department, although senior midshipmen may lead a department on a small vessel. Silver fouled anchor.
Chief Petty Officer – A non-commissioned officer. On large vessels, the Chief is the senior NCO aboard. On smaller vessels, may command a department of the ship. Three chevrons, point up, with a rocker and anchor device.
Petty Officer – holds a function similar to an infantry sergeant’s. Petty officers get the officer’s orders accomplished. Three chevrons, point up, with an anchor device. More commonly, by the rope ‘starter’ carried in hand to ‘encourage’ seamen in their duties.
Able Seaman – A trained sailor, able to serve guns, engines, sails, etc. When in dress uniform, rank distinction is two chevrons, point up, with anchor device.
Seaman – A sailor in training. May only be able to work in one department, say on the ‘black gang’ shoveling coal, or serving one of the guns. One chevron, point up, with anchor device.
Landsman – A brand new enlisted man. Practically useless. No rank distinctions.

Fleet Structure

Ports and Shipyards Squadron

Admiral commands all naval bases and shipyards. Also has responsibility for provisions and other supplies. Finally, has responsibility for revenue cutters. Headquartered in Rome.

Vessels:

Tenders:

Solomon

David

Elijah

Josiah

Cutters (Prophet-class):

Abraham

Moses

Noah

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Western Mediterranean Squadron

Admiral of the West Med Squadron holds responsibility for all vessels assigned to the squadron. The area of operations is the western coast of the Papal States, and extends somewhat into the Mediterranean Sea.

Vessels:

Ironclads:

Saint Peter

Saint Mark

Saint James Thaddeus

Saint Bartholomew

Saint Timothy

Saint Simon the Apostle

Sloops:

Gabriel

Saint Barbara

Saint Dominic

Saint Timothy

Saint John the Baptist

Pius IX

Canaan

Jerusalem

Wisdom

Galilee

Maccabees

Ephesians

Righteousness

Truth

River Jordan

Saint Stephen

Eastern Mediterranean Squadron

Admiral of the East Med Squadron holds responsibility for all vessels assigned to the squadron. The area of operations is the eastern coast of the Papal States, and extends somewhat into the Mediterranean Sea.

Vessels:

Ironclads:

Saint John the Apostle

Saint Philip

Saint James the Apostle

Saint Matthew

Saint Thomas

Saint Andrew

Sloops:

Michael

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Gregory

Urban XII

Saint Paul

Bethlehem

Peace

Salvation

Faith

Acre

Corinthians

Galatians

Phillipians

Nazareth

Rome