Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-12
The Russian Army.

,y OF oeing present ut he nHn"ai ieNVw VI
the Russian Imperial Guard, by the Emperor
Nicholas, will be read with interest, as a.
port of the passing history Of our world.
Sr. PErrRsBoaG, June, IS47
Every year this review takes
place OF the Imperial City preparatory to the
departure Of the troops for their summer quar-
ters. For about four hours ] had good
view OF the magnificent sight, and my hurried
pen will fail me 10 give you an adequate de-
iscription Of its exceeding splendor. When
arrived upon the ground the troops had
already began TO march. The balconies aud
windows OF the public buildings and elegant
private residences surrounding the field, were
filled with ladies' and gentlemen, aud the
sides Of the field itself covered with
dense mass Of men, women and children.
On one side OF the field a gorgeous tent
was pitched upon platform. for the En-
press, and before her majesty and the
Emperor troops were to pass In review.
The panoramic view Of the whole field,
you can readily imagine, was beautiful.
But to the review itself, Of this great body
of 60, 900 troops. who. in part Oaiy COM
posed the gard Lmperiaic Of the Emperor
Nicholas, and who are distinct from the
main army Of Russia, which | believe
numbers near one million, rank and file.
The foot soldiers, infantry principally.
first passed in review, marching by pla-
toons Of companies, containing perhaps.
one hundred and fifty men each, and in
double order. AS the several platoons
arrived opposite the Emperor, the pecu-
liar Russian hurrah went up the whole
of the line, making the welkin ring
The soldiers were all picked men, tall,
athletic, and every one Of them with a
heavy black moustache. They moved
with mathematical precision, and whether
on a slow or quick march, seemed like
pieces Of mechanism. and their muskets
not varying, it seemed an inch, either in
the height or inclination given to them.
OF all the marching ! have seen, and |
have seen the American, French, Dutch
and Prussian soldiers, none will compare
with the Russian. The uniform OF the
infantry was blue and red, not unlike our
militia uniform in Connecticut. 1t was
about two hours before the infantry pass
ed in review, and then came the cavalry,
advancing in double order, by platoons of
sixty horses abreast /; and here was a
sight that beggars description. and which,
when recall it, seems like magnificent
vision. First came a company of Cau-
casian Princes, mounted upon black, coal
black fiery steeds, with long names and
tails, almost sweeping the ground. The
Caucasians were dressed in red gar
ment fitting closely to the skin, and over
this finely wrought steel chain armor
covering the entire body fell from the
head closely over the neck and shoulders
upon their feet they wore a kind of sandal,
and upon their legs leather leggins SINH
lar to those worn by our Indian warriors;
across their backs they carried bow
with well filled quivers; in their hands a
carbine. and in their girdles the savage
looking yoghtighan.
They are fierce though handsome
looking set of fellows. Next came the
Twtars upon their wid-looking, feet
little horses-the horses all Of them, car
rying their necks forward and their heads
high up in the AIR AS if snufing the breeze,
or, 90 uniform was the line of heads, as
if they were all drawn up by pulleys.-
The costume Of the Tartar soldier is a
blue frock trimmed with silver, and
kind Of skull cap, bound with fur; in his
hand he carries a spear, the end of which
rests npon the head, between the ears
of the horse. Then came the Chcu0Iier
Laneers. splendid looking men, dressed
in white cashmere, with heavy, highly
polished brass breast plates. and brass
helmets, surmounted by the Imperial
eagles, all mounted upon most elegant
horses. Regiment after regiment passed
by, each regiment with different colored
horses, and the horses in each regiment
so well matched in size, form, color, and
indeed, every respect, that to distinguish
them, each had braided in his name, his
number, upon small plate. The Lancers
arc all picked men, and are the flower Of
the Russian army, the officers being Of
noble birth and we're il not for the differ
Sut So'otOu
their lances, and the color oftheir horses,
no regiment could be distinguished from
another, so nearly alike are they. After
the Lancers, came the Imperial Huzzars,
in their costume Of red, with high fur
caps, and mounted every one upon white
steeds. This regiment it is said, is the
favorite regiment of the Empress Then
came the Imperial Carbiners, mounted
on black horses, and dressed like the
Lancers, except that their helmets and
breast plates were Of steel highly polished.
Following these, came the Cossacks-
their black stecds carrying their heads
high in the air The dress Of the Cos
sacks is similar to that OF the Tartars,
which | have above described. except in
their caps, which are high aud Of fur /;
their weapon is steel, sbarp-pointcd
lance.
The rear of this immense body Of ca
valry, amounting to over 10000, was