The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-31
The COssacks.

influence.
The COssacks.
The Cossacks are divided into several
corps-the Cossacks of the Don, the
Cossacks of the Ukraine, the Cossacks of
the Caucasus, etc. Each of these di-
visions has chief, who is called an Alta
man, and holds the rank of General,
and all the COssaeks of the Empire are
united under single chief, who has the
title of the "Ataman-General." This
latter title always devolves upon the
hereditary Grand Duke. The Cossack
clothes and equips himself and his uni
form and his horse belong to himself.
He wears a large, round, low cap made
of skin from Astrakan, wide pantaloons
stuffed into his boots and reaching just
below the knees, the whole covered by a
kind of overcoat buttoning on the back
and having three long flaps reaching to
the feet and fastened on the full length.
On his breast to the left and right in
verticle cases he carries six cartridges
at each side In.his belt he carries a
pOniard. A baldrick hangs from his
right shoulder and passes to the left side,
where it supports a long saber in a
leather scabbard. On his back, hang
ing from bandoleer and wrapped in a
case made of goats skin, he carries his
rifle. The Cossack always carries in
his hand whip with a short lash,
which he calls kiniaI. His horse is
small and rather ugly, and though he is
made of good stuff his form is somewhat
angular To form an idea of the Cos
sacks saddle, imagine an ordinary sad
die upon which would be fastened by
strap square leather cushion about
four inches high. This is the reason
that at first sight one is so much sur
prised to see this curious-looking cava-
lier perched up so high on his saddle.
He sticks ON his horses back by stick
ing his knees into the animals sides with
all his strength, which gives the legs
the appearance of pair of pincers.
The stirrup is an equally curious thing.
The bottom is round and thick enough,
but from that up it resembles very much
one of those tin boxes in which pre-
serves are sold. 1t has been already
said that the Cossack's horse is his per-
sonal property, and it may be added that
he turns it to business account by hir-
ing it out. Since the arrival of the troops
at Kischeneff they have been the delight
of the collegians, who, for a rouble an
hour, have been enabled to make prom
enades on horseback in bands on these
valiant little animals.
But to return to the DgiguitOwka. At
the time of my arrival the squadron OF
Cossacks was massed in a heap in
corner. One of them started at a gal
lop and threw his cap into the middle
of the square. Immediately all the others
precipitated themselves forward at a
headlong gallop and endeavored to pick
up the cap either with the hand or the
whip, or by jumping to the ground. 1t
was a scene of general confusion, dur
ing which the eye could scarcely dis
tinguish horses from men. All this is
accompanied by cries which do not cease
till some horseman, by an adrOit
maneuver, has managed to obtain pos
session of the trophy. Then they all
start off again, lashlng their horses with
all their might, for it is curious fact
that during the whole time that the Cos
sack is mounted he beats his horse with
out a moments cessation. The reader
must not suppose that it is necessary
that the Cossack must form one of
band in order that he may give play to
his fantasies. Sometimes when he is
alone he lets himself run into certain
eccentricities, of which l will give an
example.
/ was breakfasting in a restaurant
when all on a sudden the door opened
with loud noise and Cossack rushed
in ike a hurricane. After promenading
noiselessly around the tables he pulled
up his horse before one of the guests
and placed the animals nose on plate
of green salad which had just been
brought out, and which the horse ate
with great CELEBRITY. Then man and
horse departed just as they came, with
out any person, mot even the proprietor of
the establishment, saying single word.
Perhaps it was because the Cossaek held
in his hand the kinjaI, whose strokes
would cost him nothing. Later on l
spoke of this incident to the aidde-
camp of an ALBANIAN, who simply laugh
ed and said, ''What surprises me is that
the Cossack did not make his horse get
up on the table," Seeing that | was as
tonished, he called Cossack who was
waiting in the yard. The soldier came
in on horseback without hesitating. The
officer spoke but single word, and IN
less time than it takes me to write 1t the
Cossack made his horse mount the bill
| insisted on no more, for
this experience was enough to edify me-
As much will be said of Cossacks in this
war it NAV be well to give an account
of this peculiar cavalry. However as
tonishing may be the acts attributed to
them the reader may accept the state
ment with confidence, for the truth Of
the stories can be established by good
evidence. Already they have made
hitherto unheard-of marches. and they
will be the real heroes of the events
about to commence. -NeU York Herald.