The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Winter 1973, Volume 19, Number 1
James E. Moss, Editor
Cover image: SOLDADO DE CUERA — Leather Jacket Soldier
The role of the Soldado de Cuera in San Diego’s history is mentioned in Manuel Servin’s article, “California’s Hispanic Heritage,” published in this issue of the Journal of San Diego History.
The Soldado de Cuera carried the arms and equipment specified in the Royal Regulations of 1772. For protection against arrows, he wore a leather jacket which was modelled after an Aztec ichcipilli — a quilted cotton sleeveless tunic made of seven or eight thicknesses of deer skin.
Shown on the cover is an artist’s conception of a Soldado de Cuera, a watercolor by Jack Schlichting who served on the staff of the Serra Museum in San Diego during 1964-65. The original painting, commissioned by Fred B. Mitchell, was donated to the San Diego History Center by Mr. Mitchell before his death in 1970.
Page iv. The Mexican flag, as well as the Spanish flag, flew over California. Here, in this reprint of an original watercolor by Jack Schlichting, a Mexican flag is about to be raised over San Diego.
Page 9. “. . . the California mixed-blood soldier-settler first sought and laid the foundation for attaining a Spanish-type success . . .” A somewhat romanticized view of a Dragoon Officer of the soldados de cuera is here reprinted from an original watercolor by Jack Schlichting.
