Although it is known since the fifteenth century and the existence of military engineers (specifically when the abundance of heavy fortification and other organizations, which made clear the need to nurture some kind of staff with expertise in the Army), was not until the eighteenth century when the Military Engineers as an organized body called the “Corps” and founded on April 17 1711 by the General Engineer of Flemish origin, D. Jorge Próspero of Verboom.
From then until 1805, during the eighteenth century, the Corps of Engineers Patronage remained, even after having in 1802 established its first permanent troops, the Royal Regiment of sappers miners, which is the direct heir Regiment Engineers No. 7.
It is precisely this first engineering unit, the source of all current weapon, which he noted a patron saint, who shortly after was extended to the entire institution.
In a document of the Archivo General Militar de Segovia, quoted by the “Study of the History of the Army Corps of Engineers,” published in 1911, it reads. ” “Not having yet drawn Regiment Royal Patron Zapadores-miners, like the rest of the army: this is done to you, in order to Digne choose whichever is the greater pleasure for this body that has the honor of being under VE protection. ”
Beyond this document, with different letters, reads: “San Fernando”, and below, “this date (of January 16, 1804) was reported to Colonel Zapadores recognizing this Holy Regiment Royal Patron of sappers, miners. ”
The letter undoubtedly belonged to the then-Deputy Director of Engineering, the Field Marshal D. Antonio Samper, and was sent to Prince of Peace and Godoy Generalissimo, who also holds the command of Senior Engineers, and was therefore, who designated San Fernando as the standard unit.
As was required, Colonel of the Regiment D. Antonio Heredia, acknowledging receipt of such an appointment two days later, as follows: “… become aware of having chosen Mr. Generalísimo by Patron of the Royal Regiment of sappers miners my office, San Fernando Rey de España, the which I will know in the Order of the Corps for the information of all individuals in it, and to hold, as the other stylar Corps of the Army. Mr Antonio Samper.
A year later, by Royal Order of May 2, 1805, the patronage of King St. was extended to the whole body, which reported Godoy’s letter follows: “Hon. Mr. Sir, I have done this as the King of Order VE. D. tells me Antonio Samper about having chosen to skipper the regiment of sappers miners to San Fernando Rey de España, it is to be revered as such in all directions and commands of the Corps in Spain and the Indies, and has earned the approval of HM Aranjuez, May 2, 1805, Hon. Mr. Prince of Peace. ”
There are no more documents to justify the decision to Godoy, so that today we can only explain this decision by conjecture.
For now there are two issues that must be taken into account, although both are in principle beyond the possible “kinship” between the spiritual patron saint, and the sponsors. These are: that the future king of Spain and Prince of Asturias was named Fernando, and the Holy King Castilian-Leon was the pattern of Spanish Royal House. Two, or either of them could have moved to the “Prince of Peace” in their desire to please Charles IV, to propose such a designation.
We have so far left, third and final explanation, which could be the most important cause, and that would be precisely the suitability of San Fernando, for his own life and circumstances, to exercise the patronage of a Corps (Arma since 1932) whose characteristics are closely related to the personality of the Holy King, as we shall see below.
During the “IV NATIONAL CONGRESS OF MILITARY HISTORY”, held in Seville in 1995, whose theme was “Fernando III and his times”, a lecture on “Ferdinand III. Their campaigns. (The Conqueror and the Conquest). By way of introduction, made the following gloss on the traits of his personality: “First and foremost among these features mean it, proved its value many times. Very close to that value, which was acknowledged by everyone including their enemies, was his courage and determination, courage on the other hand counterbalanced by the study weighed before embarking on their actions. Could add to the above, many other qualities that made him a man of exceptional strength of character, loyalty to the given word or covenants agreed with the severity which required compliance with the generosity and tolerance expired its spirit of justice, tenacity demonstrated a thousand times throughout their campaigns, and its plain and humble to a time without prejudice or loss of their authority. Bearing in mind also that after every battle, no matter how tired he was, his first action was to visit and attend to the wounded, and that such campaigns were suffering the same privations and shortages that his men will have Fernando III in the personification of the medieval knight. “
