"Mexican Adventure Mexican Training " Topic

Does anyone have precise information on the drill regulations and capabilities of, and formations used by, Mexican units during this period. I imagine you'd have access to Spanish Language primary sources. All I have is vague recollections of reading of the use of column and skirmish order in an English language memoir, possibly that of Prince Felix of Salm-Salm.

I'd be very interested to hear what primary sources have to say. Browsing through my Mexican American War reference, it says that the Mexican Army adopted a simplified line infantry tactical manual in 1843 which replaced tactics which were based on Spanish and French military manuals from the Napoleonic Wars. They also adopted the French system of bayonet drill, which called for twenty-two basic positions to be learned, in 1844. How much of the above, if any, was still current practice twenty years later is up for conjecture. But we all know that things change very slowly in the military and that the U.S army went into the Civil War trained for the Mexican American War.

Does it give any hint of what the replacement tactics were, Nick?

From "The War in Mexico" Anton Adams, Emperor's Press:
In 1843 the line infantry tactics were simplified by adopting a manual written by Headquarters Staff Attache, Captain Juam Ordonez. Although the Mexican military manuals were copied in detail from their Spanish, and later French sources, they were not always put into practice. There were some veteran line infantry that were well drilled and disciplined. Many of these units performed very well on the field of battle. The four regiments of Light Infantry were probably the best troops in the army. They included a lot of veteran soldiers and were trained in the tactics of both line infantry and skirmishers. However, the system of conscription and impressment in order to fill the ranks, especially of the Active Militia units, undermined the quality of the soldiers and the training they got. According to the American Minister Waddy Thompsom they were drilled only occasionally and "…drilling consists mainly in teaching them to march in column through the streets." With units split into small contingents through out the country they were never able to train in commands any larger than brigade strength."
"The outdated Light Infantry tactical manual of instruction from 1814 was replaced early in 1841 to make it "…more adaptable to the brave Mexican army…: The mission of the light infantry units were to clear the way for the line infantry units and then to follow after them. At the end of a battle they were to follow up a victory by pursuing the enemy or act as a rear guard to cover the retreat if the army was defeated. light infantry soldiers were supposed to be able to learn the new rules in just four days with individual instruction. Closed order, in depth, was the basic formation for the light infantry and they were supposed to be ready to deploy instantly into extended or mixed order by threes. Companies were deployed in alternate wings and were trained to go into formations from these positions. They could be formed two, three or four deep or deployed by halves to either the front or rear by right and left. Soldiers were trained to issue fire at the command of Stand to Fire! and Open Fire! to the front or flanks while either gaining or losing ground. Individuals would try to find firing positions with cover while still keeping a semblance of order in the ranks. After the first man in the front rank fired he would begin reloading and the second man would fire as soon as the first man's weapon was primed again. Likewise the third man in the ranks would only fire after the second man was finished priming. In groups of three this procedure would guarantee that a continuous fire could be maintained. This system sounded good in the instruction manual but it is doubtful that it lasted very long once actual combat began in the face of the enemy. Normally, after the first volley the troops would fire at will."

Many thanks, Nick. Pending the provision of more contemporary information the clues contained in this extract will give me a more solid foundation for rules assumptions.