The Sun.
London, England, 1812-08-08 00:00:00

COSSACKS.

TheiCO3SACEs Constitttte so distinguished a ror-
t•on of the Russian armies, that Sir RoAER-r
account of this intrepid race may he well
_cpposecl to the affected contempt with whi:7ll they
are mentioned in BUONAPARTE's late dispztehes.
" The Cossacks are relieved from all imposi-
tions, but the for every male to serve
gratuitously for five years with the Russian
•armies,_ and some interior services connected with
their own police. ,Blessed with a country of lick
plains and noble rivers, which nature covers with
the gloyious canopy of a fine climate, and fills with
tedundaiitifood, the, CQssack unites with the most
enthusiastic idmiration of hi‘; country, and a dii-
position to profit.o its tYnjoyrilents; tlie ambition
of martial service; and an errant spirit of adven-
turous and foreign enterprize.- In the land which
gave him birth, he is the peaceful and civilized in-
habitant, natural in his aectionl., and domestic in
his habits; but in other countries he is the saw -
less Scythian, respectilig no propert:y or rights His
military virtues are splendid in common with 'the
Russian nation ;- but hereditary habits of war,
'and perhaps a natural talent for that species of it
in which they are engaged, adds an acute intelli-
gence .and capacity that is not generally shared.
By the stars, the wind, and an union of the most
ingenious observations,. he travels over countries
unkndwn to him, through forests almost imper-
vious, and reaches his destination, or tracks some
percursor that he is directed to pursue with the
assurance and the indefatigable ardour of the in-
stinctive blood-hound.

" But although the Cossacks, on some occa-
sions, have discomfitted, by direct attacks, regu-
lar cavalry; it must not be supposed 'that they are
calculated to act generally in line. Their service
is of a'
.different character, •••Which requires a
• greater latiOcle and liberty of operation. They
act in dispersion, and when they do re-unite to
charge, it is notavith a.•.Ostematie formation, but
en masse, or whatiti-.Germany is called the swarm
attack ; but even then the order should originate
from their own officers, who best know their
genius and powers, or, which is frequently the
case, be the effectof a voluntary impulse, that
simultaneensly anintates the whole body, and
which is expressed by a yell of excitement More,
frightful and terrific than the war-hoop of the.
Canadian savage*._The Cossacks, moreover,
are injurious in countries where the good will of
the inhabitants is of immediate importance, or
where moderation and regularity can alone pro-
vide the armies with their subsistence. Then the.
Cossacks are too frequently scourges of terror and_
desolation,imore fatal to friends than foes ; sweep-
ing and devastating in the lawless thoughtlessness
of barbarian invaders, without any consideration
of future necessities. Their obligation to main-
tain their own horses and themselves ; the num-
ber of reserve horses that march with them : and
and the habits of their Turkish wars, produce this
counteracting inconvenience to the employment
of the Cossacks, and there are many obstacles to
the introduction of a system that might regulate
their licentious practices without serious innova-
tion on the character of the nation which sup-
plies (at least) thirty thousand voluntary and
equipped warriors to the Empire, and whose va-
lions services not double the number of regular
cavalry could execute. More order, indeed, might
be introduced, by diminishing the numerous de-
tachments of the Cossacks, and collecting them in
a body, under the immediate superintendence of,
their Attaman, whilst the concentration would
assure the decisive superiority over the French ca-
valry, and enable the Attaman to fulfil his en-
gagement, " that with ten thousand Cossacks
not a French horseman should, with impunity, ad-
vance from under the covering fire of the infantry."
The character of the Cossacks certainly never be-
fore attained so. high a military reputation ; .und
those who have not seen their achievements, may,
perhaps, from the impression of former opinion,
hesitate to credit their superiority in ,cavalry at-
tacks ; but -whet body, -armed with sabres, can
resistea lance projecting above six feet beyond the
horses' heads, sustained by the firmest wrest, and
impelled eath the activity of the race horce ? The
Cossack is not first armed with the lance when he
proceeds to war, or when he attains manhood : it
is toy of his infancy, and the constant exercise of
his youth ; so that he wieldait, although /rpm 14
to 18 feet in length, with the address and freedom.
that the best swordsman in Europe would use his
weapon. In hands, less familiarized to his arm, it
would be the !dam intbelle sine ietts, but in his di=
rection, under the guidance.of an horseman so
powerfulsnd dexterous t, it becomes invincible
but by fire. No cavalry has power like them; to
march for days and nights, climbing hills, swim-,
ming rivers, and winding through 'rallies without
interruption. Ten thousand such warriors v. cold,
against more than equal numbers, command in
every field, or, in the course of a campaign, ruin
their adversaries by mere excess .of ditty and mo ve-
rnent equipment of the Cossack's horse
is light ;—a snaffie,—an halter, of which the rein
is always held in the hand that he may be instantly
attached on dismounting, or be led with facility,
—the tree of _a saddle, on .which is bound a
cushion stuffed with the Cossack's property, and
on which he rides,— form the whole of his ac-
coutrements and baggage."
" Established among the Cossacks, with whom
they intermarry, are 30,000 Calmucs, who fur-
nish 5,000 soldiers, armed as the Cossacks. Their
broad Chinese inanimate countenance, with small
eyes, immediately distinguishes them, and .they
have a greasiness of complexion peculiar to them-
selves : but. although they are Mahomedans,
Pagan's, &c., although they eat horse flesh, even
when tainted, they are in their natural character
mild, Motile, and inoffensive, and in war they
are brave and active." •