Cossacks on The March

Description

In the newspaper article "The Cossacks of The Russian Army-The Cossacks, or irregular troops, form a very important portion of the Russian army. "Little men and little horses," although of minor value in a general charge, they are admirable as light cavalry and scouts, while carrying little or no baggage, and foraging entirely for themselves, they form an invaluable advance guard, make splendid skirmishers and harass an opposing army with incredible skill. They mostly provide their own equipment for war, and possess certain privileges, which they hold by tenour of military service. They are not subject to usual military regulations, even having a different system of outpost duty, but fight in their old wild way, like their ancestors before them, being greatly aided by the superior breed and intelligence of their horses, mere ponies, which fatten where a British horse would absolutely starve. These animals will gallop for many miles over the roughest country, ery imposing picking their way with their noses to the ground like a pack of hounds, while at the word of command they will stand stock still in order to allow their riders to stand on their backs and observe the surrounding country"