LOS DRAGONES AMARILLOS (aka CALYUS)
The Dragones Amarillos originated in the Spanish Duchy of Milan. The unit was raised on 1 May 1684 in the territories of Pavia from five companies of Croatian horsemen. On 9 April 1685, it was expanded to twelve companies and organised as a Tercio de dragones arcabuceros under the command of the Count of Sheldon. Owing to the distinctive colour of its uniform, it became widely known as Los Dragones Amarillos, or the “Yellow Dragoons”.
In 1687, on the eve of the Nine Years’ War, the tercio was sent to Milan. In 1692, a detachment of 200 men joined the army of the Duke of Savoy and participated in operations at Pinerolo, Susa, Casale and Embrun, before advancing to Gap. In 1693, the unit took part in the attack on the Fort of Santa Brigida outside Pinerolo and fought at the Battle of Marsaglia. Two years later, in 1695, it participated in the siege and capture of Casale. In 1696, the tercio returned to Lombardy and took up quarters at Pavia.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, dragoons acquired increasing importance within the Spanish Army, reflecting their tactical versatility as troops capable of operating both mounted and dismounted. This development was accompanied by a progressive strengthening of dragoon regimental establishments. In 1703, it was decided that each dragoon regiment should consist of ten companies, each with an establishment of approximately 50 men. In 1705, the establishment was further increased to twelve companies per regiment, including one company of horse grenadiers.
These reforms are particularly relevant to the Dragones Amarillos, which had already been organised on a substantial establishment since the late seventeenth century. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the unit formed part of the increasingly important dragoon arm of the Spanish Bourbon forces and could be employed either as conventional cavalry or as dismounted troops according to operational requirements.
At the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession, the unit was incorporated into the regular regimental establishment of the Spanish cavalry. On 13 April 1701, it was placed on a regimental footing and thereafter operated as a regular dragoon regiment in the Bourbon armies of northern Italy.
The successive commanders of the unit included:
- from 9 April 1685: Count of Sheldon;
- from 1700: Don Diego de Monroy;
- from at least 1703: Claude Tubières de Grimoard, Marquis de Caylus;
- later: Count de Itre;
- Marquis de Crèvecœur;
- Count Demetrio Mahony.
The association with the Marquis de Caylus explains why contemporary records may refer to the regiment simply as Caylus. This designation must not be confused with the later French regiment bearing the same name. In the Italian campaigns of the War of the Spanish Succession, Caylus refers to the Spanish-Milanese Dragones Amarillos.
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| (Copyright Michele L. SAVASTA FIORE) |
Service during the War of the Spanish Succession
In 1701, the tercio left its quarters to join the Franco-Spanish army assembling in the Duchy of Milan under the Prince de Vaudémont. It was initially deployed on the left of the second line along the Adige. On 14 June it was cantoned at Segua, near Rivoli.
On 9 July 1701, the unit fought at the Combat of Carpi, where it suffered considerable losses. Some contemporary accounts, however, identify the French Mauroy cavalry rather than the Spanish Monroy dragoons, so the attribution should be treated with some caution. During the night of 31 August to 1 September, the regiment crossed the Oglio near Rudiano and subsequently took part in the Battle of Chiari; here too, some sources alternatively identify the French Mauroy cavalry.
After the battle, on 3 September, the army withdrew to the camp of Urago near Pavia, with the regiment serving in the rearguard. On 31 October, together with two tercios of Lombard infantry, it was entrusted with guarding a bridge at Urago and was surprised by an Imperial detachment of approximately 1,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry under the Prince de Commercy. On 13 November, the regiment entered winter quarters.
For the campaign of 1702, the regiment was assigned to the left wing of the first line. On 13 July, it was reviewed by King Philip V at Cremona. Three days later it crossed the Po, and on 22 July it crossed the Taro as part of the effort to compel the Imperial army to abandon the siege of Mantua. On 13 August it served in the corps of the Prince de Vaudémont during the relief of Borgoforte, and on 15 August fought in the Battle of Luzzara. On the following evening it helped repel a sortie from Guastalla, before marching towards the Oglio at the end of the month.
In 1704, the regiment took part in the campaign in Piedmont, including the operations connected with the blockade of Turin and the fighting along the Adda. On 16 August it successfully repelled an enemy attack.
The following year was particularly active. On 2 February 1705, the regiment attacked Imperial outposts along Lake Garda and the Adige, reportedly capturing around 1,000 men, six colours and the enemy baggage. On 9 April it participated in the capture of Nice, on 11 May it was present at the siege of Mirandola, and on 16 August it fought in the Battle of Cassano.
By this stage the organisational reforms affecting the Spanish dragoon arm had reached their fullest wartime form. The 1705 establishment of twelve companies included a horse grenadier company, providing each regiment with an élite mounted element. These horse grenadiers could perform the same flexible functions as the rest of the dragoon regiment, fighting on horseback or dismounting when required. Their inclusion also illustrates the growing tactical and organisational importance attached to dragoons in Philip V’s army.
In 1706, the Dragones Amarillos remained part of the Bourbon army operating in northern Italy. On 19 April, they participated in the Battle of Calcinato, one of the principal Franco-Spanish victories of the campaign.
The regiment subsequently joined the forces defending the Lines of Turin during the siege of the city. It was therefore still present with the Bourbon army in Piedmont when the decisive Battle of Turin was fought on 7 September 1706. The defeat forced the Franco-Spanish forces to abandon the siege and begin their withdrawal from Piedmont.
The regiment’s presence at Turin is significant because it confirms that the Dragones Amarillos under the Marquis de Caylus remained in the Italian theatre until the collapse of the Bourbon position there. Its transfer to Spain occurred only afterwards.
As dragoons, the men were trained to operate both mounted and dismounted. Their employment in the fortified lines around Turin was entirely consistent with the tactical flexibility expected of dragoon units in the early eighteenth century, particularly during siege operations where mounted troops could be used on foot to reinforce defensive positions.
In 1707, following Spain’s agreement to evacuate Lombardy, the regiment marched through France towards Pamplona, arriving there in May. It was then brought back up to strength and supplied with new arms and horses. While moving towards Tudela, it received orders to remain in Aragon.
In 1708, the regiment joined the Army of Extremadura.
At the beginning of the campaign of 1709, it was deployed on the extreme right of the first line. On 7 May, it fought in the Battle of La Gudiña, where it executed a successful flanking manoeuvre that cut the retreat of three British regiments and forced them to surrender. The regiment also captured eight artillery pieces during the action.
In 1710, the Dragones Amarillos again served with the Army of Extremadura. At the end of May, 200 dragoons were attached to General Montenegro’s column. On 2 June, this force stormed Miranda de Douro, capturing approximately 400 Portuguese soldiers and twenty guns. On 14 June, the same column seized Carvajales, taking a further 200 men together with artillery, ammunition and provisions. It then crossed the Leria and advanced towards Bragança, attacking the bridgehead at Puebla and forcing its defenders to seek refuge in the Convent of San Francisco.
After Philip V’s defeat at Saragossa in August, the Marquis de Bay was ordered to reinforce the Army of Catalonia, which was retreating towards Castile under pressure from the forces of Archduke Charles. By the end of November, Philip V had reorganised his forces near the bridge of Almaraz on the Tagus.
The regiment subsequently participated in the fighting around Brihuega on 9 December 1710 and, on the following day, in the decisive Battle of Villaviciosa, where it joined the pursuit of the Allied cavalry towards the Ebro and Cinca.
In 1711, the regiment initially continued to serve with the Army of Extremadura before being transferred to the Army of Catalonia. During the siege of Gerona, it was positioned on the left of the second line.
In 1712, it moved from Catalonia to Castile.
By an order dated 17 August 1713, the regiment was directed to march to the District of Aragon to operate against the Catalan insurgents.
In 1714, it continued these operations, fighting and defeating several insurgent bands led by commanders such as Nebot, Moragas and Poal.
Throughout the War of the Spanish Succession, the Dragones Amarillos therefore served in both the Italian and Iberian theatres, taking part in major battles, sieges, raids and counter-insurgency operations. Their service at Turin in 1706, under the Marquis de Caylus, represents the final major episode of their long employment in northern Italy before their transfer to Spain.
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| (Copyright Michele L. SAVASTA FIORE) |
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