Chapelgorris facts for kids

Chapelgorris at Miranda de Ebro.

Chapelgorris (pronounced "cha-pel-GOH-rees"), also called Peseteros, were a type of volunteer soldier in Spain. Their name means "Red Caps" in Basque. They were formed at the start of the First Carlist War in the province of Guipúzcoa. These soldiers fought against the Carlists.

A soldier from the British Legion described them as "half-wild" fighters. He noted they knew the country well and were as active as the Carlists. The Carlists were quite afraid of them.

Who Were the Chapelgorris?

Forming the Units

The Chapelgorris were organized into groups called battalions. Each battalion had about 700 to 800 men. Most of their officers were Basques. At first, they were considered irregular troops. This meant they were not part of the official army. Later, they became a regular part of the army.

When Baldomero Espartero took command of the Isabeline forces, he brought the Chapelgorris into his army. It was at this time that they received their red shakos. A shako is a tall, stiff military hat.

What Did They Wear?

The Chapelgorris wore a long gray capote, which is a type of cloak. They also wore a red cap or beret. They carried a small canvas bag. For weapons, they used a bandolier, a bayonet, and a carbine. A bandolier is a belt with pockets for ammunition.

When they were in full dress, they wore a tall, red shako. They also had blue jackets decorated with yellow lace. These jackets sometimes had silver bells and ornaments. Later, they started working closely with the British Legion. Because of this, they began to wear British uniforms. This included the famous red coats of the British soldiers.

Sometimes, people mistakenly called them Carlist troops. This was because of their red caps. However, only one Carlist group, the Guías de Navarra (Navarre Guides), was allowed to wear red caps. This special honor was given to them by their leader, Zumalacárregui.

Their Role in the War

The Chapelgorris were known for their fierce fighting. They were very determined in battle. One story tells of a fight between a Chapelgorri and a Carlist. The Chapelgorri was stronger and defeated the Carlist. This shows how tough and brave these soldiers were.

They took part in important battles, such as the First Battle of Arquijas in 1834.

Prisoners of War

Chapelgorris and British soldiers who were captured by the Carlists often faced harsh treatment. They were sometimes executed right away. This was different for some other Liberal troops. Those soldiers were sometimes saved because of the Eliot treaty. This treaty called for prisoners to be exchanged instead of being executed.

See also

In Spanish: Peseteros para niños

• Requetés - Carlist Red Berets