Mariscal Domingo Nieto Cavalry Regiment Escort

Last updated

"Mariscal Domingo Nieto" Cavalry Regiment Escort
Regimiento de Caballeria "Mariscal Domingo Nieto" Escolta del Presidente de la Republica
ANIVERSARIO 195 DE LA BATALLA DE AYACUCHO Y DIA DEL EJERCITO DEL PERU.jpg
Life Guard Dragoons Regiment during the 2019 commemoration of the Battle of Ayacucho.
Active1904–1987
2012–present
CountryFlag of Peru.svg  Peru
Allegiance President of Peru
BranchFlag of the Peruvian Army.svg  Peruvian Army
Type Cavalry (Dragoon guards)
RoleMemorial affairs, ceremonies and special events (one squadron)
SizeThree squadrons
Part of 2nd Army Division
Garrison/HQ Cuartel Barbones, Lima
Nickname(s)The Escort Horse Rider
Patron Domingo Nieto
Motto(s)Unidos así venceremos (English: Victorious together)
ColorsGarnet
March
Several, see list
  • Cavalry Trumpets (Traditional)
  • Trot No. 5 (Traditional)
  • Prince (Traditional)
  • 3rd Cavalry (Traditional)
  • Escort Regiment (Traditional)
  • Allegro from the Music for the Royal Fireworks (Modern)
AnniversariesSeptember 19
Commanders
Current
commander
Col. Jorge Andrés Anticona Mujica
Insignia
Emblem SHIELD (COAT OF ARMS) OF RC MDN EPR.jpg

The "Mariscal Domingo Nieto" Cavalry Regiment Escort [1] (Spanish : Regimiento de Caballeria "Mariscal Domingo Nieto" Escolta de la Presidente de la Republica) is the Household Cavalry and Dragoon Guards regiment of the Peruvian Army since 1904, having been inactive from 1987 to 2012.

Contents

Its primary purpose is providing the ceremonial protection of the President of Peru and as well as public duties on the Government Palace in Lima. It is one of Latin America's foremost guard regiments, and one of 2 active Household Cavalry regiments of the Peruvian Armed Forces, the other being the 1st Mechanized Cavalry Regiment "Húsares de Junín".

History

The regiment in the Plaza de Armas of Lima in 2015 Escolta presidencial, Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru, 2015-07-28, DD 26.JPG
The regiment in the Plaza de Armas of Lima in 2015

This Regiment of Dragoons [2] was raised in 1904 following the recommendations of the first French military mission that undertook the Peruvian Army reorganization in 1896. The Dragoon Guards of the "Field Marshal Nieto" Regiment of Cavalry were to Perú what the British Household Cavalry Brigade is to United Kingdom in the 19th century and were fashioned after French dragoon regiments of the late 19th to early 20th centuries, today, upon its reestablishment it is now the Peruvian equivalent, alongside the Junin Hussars Regiment and the Mounted Squadron of the Corps of Cadets of the Chorrillos Military School, to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Formerly the Cavalry Squadron "President's Escort" and later a full ceremonial regiment of cavalry, it received its present designation in 1949, named after Field Marshal Domingo Nieto.

At 1.00 p.m. every day, the main esplanade in front of the building and fronting the Main Square, through the years is the venue for the changing of the guard, directed by the Dragoons of the Presidential Guard of mounted infantry, either dismounted or mounted, with the regimental mounted military band, and sometimes in the presence of the President and the First Family. Today, if the President is absent, the Chief of the Presidential Military Staff and on the solemn changing ceremonies on Sundays, members of the Council of Ministers of Peru, takes the salute on the President's behalf.

In 1987 the Peruvian president Alan García did not like the regimental drill, patterned after the French fashion, of the "Field Marshal Domingo Nieto" Regiment of Cavalry, Life-Guard of the President of the Republic of Peru and ordered the 1st Light Cavalry, "Glorious Hussars of Junín" Regiment, Peru's Liberators, to be his life-guard unit and the Junín Hussars are his Horse Guards ever since until 2012. (The Regiment, as a result, was disbanded that February and was reformed later in Sullana as the 17th Armored Cavalry Regiment.) [3] The Hussars were raised in 1821 by José de San Martín as part of the Peruvian Guard Legion, and fought at the final battles of the Latin American wars of independence in Junin and Ayacucho. Wearing uniforms similar to the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers "General San Martín", but in red and blue, they carry sabres and lances on parade, both on the ground and while mounted on horses. Their arrival was signaled by the regimental mounted band playing the Triumphial March from Verdi's Aida.

They moved to the Army Education and Doctrine Command in 2012 after 25 years of service, but the regiment still rides to the Palace and in state ceremonial events when needed.

The Marshal Nieto Dragoon Life Guards Escort Cav. Regt. were reactivated by order of President Ollanta Humalla and the Peruvian Ministry of Defense on 2 Feb. 2012, but they are now part of the guards units stationed, thus alternating with the other guards units in the palace grounds beginning from 30 July of the same year onward, and earlier made their return on the annual 29 July Great Military Parade. Their Guard Mounting ceremony happens 2 times a week when dismounted while the mounted version is done only twice a month (1st and 3rd Sundays only).

Aside from presidential security, it is also in charge of providing the guard during state visits to Peru and during state funerals.

Headquarters

Cuartel Barbones
Barrios Altos, Lima in  Peru
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Peruvian Army
Controlled byDomingo Nieto Cavalry Regiment
Hussars of Junín [4]
Site history
Built for Bethlehemites
Designations Cultural heritage of Peru (partial)

Cuartel Barbones, formerly known as the convent of the Bethlehemites and more formally as the Hospital de Indios Convalecientes Nuestra Señora del Carmen, is a military barracks in the district of El Agustino where the Domingo Nieto Cavalry Regiment and the Hussars of Junín are headquartered. In 1991, its "A" section was declared part of the Cultural heritage of Peru by the National Institute of Culture. [4] [5]

The military installation is located just outside the eastern limit of the neighbourhood of Barrios Altos (then known as the "extramuros" area), on the last block of the Jirón Junín that once bore the same name. [6] It was originally the location of a hospital and convent of the Bethlehemite Brothers that was destroyed during the earthquake of 1687. One of the gates (the "Portada de Barbones") of the walls of Lima was located at the end of the street, in what is now Grau Avenue. When the walls were demolished, the area in front of the barracks became known as the Plazuela de Barbones. [7] It took its name from the Bethlehemites' custom of having long beards and the fact that it was their main headquarters during the Viceregal and Republican eras. [7]

A defence building had been built in the area in 1740 by Spanish soldiers, but it was only after the Peruvian War of Independence during the 19th century that it was eventurally converted into a military facility. By the time the War of the Pacific had reached a point where the Chilean Army was on its way to Lima, military units were organised inside the barracks, which were looted and destroyed during the occupation of Lima. [7]

Dress uniform

A dragoon soldier in dress uniform Escolta presidencial, Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru, 2015-07-28, DD 40.JPG
A dragoon soldier in dress uniform

Their full dress uniforms include either white tunics (in the summer) or black tunics (in the winter,) worn with red breeches all year around. Also worn are epaulettes (gold for officers and red for NCOs and enlisted personnel), similar to the French practice, and a bronze metal helmet with the coat of arms of Peru. Formerly the dragoons were armed with sabres, lances, and the FN FAL rifle, one of the standard issue rifles used by the Peruvian Army. Today, however they are equipped with lances and sabers only.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragoon</span> Type of mounted soldiers

Dragoons were originally a class of mounted infantry, who used horses for mobility, but dismounted to fight on foot. From the early 17th century onward, dragoons were increasingly also employed as conventional cavalry and trained for combat with swords and firearms from horseback. While their use goes back to the late 16th century, dragoon regiments were established in most European armies during the 17th and early 18th centuries; they provided greater mobility than regular infantry but were far less expensive than cavalry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hussar</span> Type of light cavalry originating in Central Europe

A hussar was a member of a class of light cavalry, originating in Central Europe (Hungary) during the 15th and 16th centuries. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen were subsequently widely adopted by light cavalry regiments in European armies during the late 17th and 18th centuries. By the 19th century, hussars were wearing jackets decorated with braid plus shako or busby hats and had developed a romanticized image of being dashing and adventurous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government Palace, Peru</span> Building in Lima, Peru

The Government Palace, also known as the House of Pizarro, is the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian government, and the official residence of the president of Peru. The palace is a stately government building, occupying the northern side of the Plaza Mayor in Peru's capital city, Lima. Set on the Rímac River, the palace occupies the site of a very large huaca that incorporated a shrine to Taulichusco, the last kuraka of Lima.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ayacucho</span> 1824 battle of the Peruvian War of Independence

The Battle of Ayacucho was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. This battle secured the independence of Peru and ensured independence for the rest of South America. In Peru it is considered the end of the Spanish American wars of independence in this country, although the campaign of Antonio José de Sucre continued through 1825 in Upper Peru and the siege of the fortresses Chiloé and Callao eventually ended in 1826.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domingo Nieto</span> President of Peru

Domingo Nieto was a Peruvian Grand Marshal, forefather of the nation, and politician who served as the 19th President of Peru between 1843 and 1844, officially as the President of the Government Junta and Grand Marshal of Peru. He also served as Minister Plenipotentiary to Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peruvian Army</span> Land warfare branch of Perus armed forces

The Peruvian Army is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations. It celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of Ayacucho (1824) on December 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Blanco Soto</span> Bolivian general and politician (1795–1829)

Pedro Blanco Soto was a Bolivian soldier and politician and president of the Republic of Upper Peru, an unrecognized entity that emerged in the limits of the department of La Paz and, which claimed the territory of the Republic of Bolivia. He held the position for a short time before being killed by his opponents in a convent called La Recoletta in Sucre on New Year's Day 1829. A small plaque now marks the spot in the Museo de la Recoletta. He was well known for his pro-Peruvian stance and this is generally the reason attributed to his assassination. He was also a distinguished officer during the Peruvian War of Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil Guard (Peru)</span> Gendarmerie body in Peru, 1873–1988

The Civil Guard was the main preventive police force of Peru until its dissolution in 1988. As a national gendarmerie force, it was responsible for civil policing under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior, while investigative work was carried out by the Peruvian Investigative Police. It was also supported at times by the Republican Guard. During its dissolution process, it became known as the General Police until its formal integration into the National Police of Peru in 1991. The corps is colloquially known as the benemérita (reputable).

The Battle at Tacna was an engagement during the War of the Pacific (1879–1883) between Chile and the Allied Forces of Peru and Bolivia. It was fought on May 20, 1880, with the forces aligned as follows:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Tarqui</span> 1829 battle between Colombia and Peru

The Battle of Tarqui, also known as the Battle of Portete de Tarqui, took place on 27 February 1829 at Tarqui, near Cuenca, today part of Ecuador. It was fought between troops from Gran Colombia, commanded by Antonio José de Sucre, and Peruvian troops under José de La Mar. Although the Colombian troops achieved victory over the Peruvian vanguard, destroying it and forcing the rest of their forces to withdraw, they suffered heavy losses in their cavalry with the Peruvian charge, which made it difficult to continue the campaign and caused the stabilization of the front.

This is an order of battle of the Chilean Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Military Parade of Peru</span>

On July 29 every year, the Grand Military Parade of Peru celebrating the anniversary of Peru's declaration of independence from Spain in 1821 is held in Lima, the national capital, by members of the Peruvian Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru and is presided over by the President of Peru and his First Family, members of the Council of Ministers of Peru and the Congress of the Republic of Peru, other civil officials, ecclesiastical leaders, the Diplomatic Corps of Peru, and other invited guests, among them commanders and other officers and personnel of the Armed Forces and the National Police.

José Escajadillo is a Peruvian composer, especially in the Creole music genre. He also composed more than 620 valses, songs, military marches, sport anthems and marineras. On October 3, 2003, he received the medal "Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán" medal from the Congress of the Republic of Peru in recognition of his outstanding music career. On 1 November 2014, in a ceremony held in Washington, DC, the Organization of American States awarded him with the title "Compositor de América" for his contributions. His best songs were included in the album José Escajadillo: Un Gigante de la Canción Peruana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Cavalry Regiment (Chile)</span> Military unit

The 1st Cavalry Regiment "Grenadiers" is the senior cavalry regiment of the Chilean Army, which serves as the Horse Guards unit providing the ceremonial escort in parades and ceremonies to the President of Chile, the Supreme Commander of the Chilean Armed Forces. It provides the guard during flag raising ceremonies monthly in Santiago, the national capital. Together with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment "Hussars" it forms the remaining mounted components of the army in active service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosme Pacheco</span> Peruvian lieutenant colonel

Cosme Pacheco was a Peruvian lieutenant-colonel during the Peruvian War of Independence and revolutionary wars in Perú. He was assigned to the cavalry of the Army of Peru in the Regiments of Hussars of Junín Province and the Lancers of Cusco. He participated in the military campaigns for the independence of Peru from 1821 to 1825. He was awarded the medals of the Battle of Junin and the Battle of Ayacucho. Later, he fought in military campaigns of the south of Peru and the Upper Peru, as well as in the Peruvian-Bolivian conflict, between 1825 and 1828. Retired from active military service, he was recalled to service in 1835 by the request of the Supreme Provisory Board of Government of the Republic of Peru. He actively participated in revolutions and civil wars in his country, collaborating with the highest authorities as emissary and peacemaker in the central highlands of Peru. He died in the region of his birth, Department of Cusco, of unknown causes, presumably around 1851.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handover of Tacna</span> 1929 handover of Tacna from Chile to Peru

The handover of Tacna from Chile to Peru took place on August 28, 1929. The event ended 49 years of Chilean rule over its then newest province, which began in 1880 after the Bolivian–Peruvian defeat at the Battle of Tacna against the Chilean Army during the War of the Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Army Division (Peru)</span> Division of the Peruvian Army

The 2nd Army Division is a unit of the Peruvian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hussars of Junín</span> Traditional military unit in Peru

The Hussars of Junín, officially the Cavalry Regiment "Glorious Hussars of Junín" № 1 Liberator of Peru, is a traditional light cavalry regiment of the Peruvian Army. Originally the 4th Squadron of the Peruvian Guard Legion, the unit was renamed in 1824 to its current name after its performance in the Battle of Junín.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jirón Junín</span> Street in Lima, Peru

Jirón Junín is a major street in the Damero de Pizarro, located in the historic centre of Lima, Peru. The street starts at its intersection with the Jirón de la Unión and continues for 19 blocks until it reaches Nicolás Ayllón Avenue.

References

  1. "Peru: President leads Changing of Guard ceremony". Andina . 15 May 2022.
  2. According to British Encyclopedia Dragoon means: In late 16th-century Europe, a mounted soldier who fought as a light cavalryman on attack and as a dismounted infantryman on defense. The terms derived from his weapon, a species of carbine or short musket called the dragoon. Dragoons were organized not in squadrons but in companies, and their officers and non-commissioned officers bore infantry titles.
  3. Journalist Francisco Igartúa, Editor in Chief of the Lima magazine "Oiga", in its March 9, 1987 issue no. 320, wrote about the decision to disband the Dragoon Regiment, which caused a lot of controversy, as part of its editorial: "....se enfada el presidente con las reminiscencias francesas de la Escolta........y de inmediato ordena que se le dé carácter peruanista a su guardia personal. Para ello escoge a los Húsares de Junín, a los que hace ingresar al patio de honor de palacio a los acordes de Aída, la ópera que Verdi compuso para la inauguración del Canal de Suez, quién sabe uno de los símbolos más claros de la imposición imperialista en el Tercer Mundo....". That very same issue's "Cuadrilátero Político" section, on page 28, described the very day the Junin Hussars made their national debut in the Government Palace: "A mediados de semana, y siempre con apoyo de cámaras de televisión y fotógrafos, se realizó la ceremonia del relevo del regimiento escolta "Mariscal Nieto" (caballería) por el regimiento "Húsares de Junín", que en adelante se encargará de la custodia del Palacio de Gobierno. El presidente de la República, además de su preocupación por el alto costo de la manutención de los caballos, dijo que el regimiento "Mariscal Nieto" tenía elementos extranjerizantes, refiriéndose a los cascos con colas y al uniforme, de evidente reminiscencias del ejército francés. Es un rezago de la misión francesa que organizó nuestro ejército a fines del siglo pasado. Hasta aquí todo parecía razonable. Pero no pudo causar menos sorpresa el hecho de que la ceremonia presidida por un marcial Alan García se haya realizado a los acordes de la música de la opera italiana "Aída", de Giuseppe Verdi, tocada por la banda de los "Húsares de Junín". ¿El uniforme francés si es extranjerizante y la música italiana no?. Al parecer, aquí parecen haber funcionado las operáticas preferencias del presidente García, quien seguramente "in péctore" estuvo entonando "Aída" cuando tocaba la banda".
  4. 1 2 "Renuevan histórico Cuartel Militar Los Barbones en El Agustino". Perú 21 . 7 March 2024.
  5. "Historia en la pared". El Peruano . 13 March 2024.
  6. Bromley Seminario, Juan (2019). Las viejas calles de Lima (PDF) (in Spanish). Lima: Metropolitan Municipality of Lima. p. 200.
  7. 1 2 3 Jara Boza, Yonatan (1 May 2021). "De Frailes a Escolta. Valor histórico del Cuartel Barbones de Lima (1825-1879)" [Friars to military guard. The historic value of the Lima’s Barbones Barrack (1825-1879)]. Devenir. 8 (15). doi:10.21754/devenir.v8i15.980. eISSN   2616-4949. ISSN   2312-7562 via SciELO.