The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-02-09
THE COSSACKS
BY NJ. De LOPATECKi

A stranee and interesting people
very much talked about, yet very little
known, living different life from the
numerous nationalities in the immense
empire Of the czars, abused and feared,
ridiculed and admired, the Cossacks
are undoubtedly the most curious and
picturesque race in the domains Of
Nicholas I. This military force, unique
in its kind, forms the connecting link
between the regular and the irregular
troops; they are the true defenders,
the military pioneers of Russia, and in
the coming war they are destined to
play a very important role; they will
be the last to leave the bloody field.
ANY one who travels in Russia will
soon remark that while other bodies of
the army are stationed IN certain
localities, the Cossack is to be found
everywhere from the German or Aus
trian to the Chinese frontier, and from
the Arctic ocean to the burning plains
of Central Asia. It would seem that
the Cossacks are recruited in all parts
of the empire, like the infantry or
artillery, while the truth is that though
scattered during their time of service,
the Cossacks have certain and we'll de-
fined territory, the so.cailed communi-
ties, something like the Indian reserve
tons in the United States. where they
own and cultivate land. where they
hunt and fish, and whele they die, if
not killed in war or III the cars SER
vice. In these communities each Cos
sack male owns about seventy-fve
acres of lard. but in addition to
these allGtments ale vast tracts be-
longing to the reservation in general,
communal property of all, source
Of considerable income, especially
from their forests. mines and fisheries,
aud forming excellent places for horse
breeding purposes.
OF these reservations the greatest
and most populous Cossack commune
is that of the Don. Then follow the
kuban, Grenberg, Terek, Ural and AS
trakhan communes. OF all these COM
munes, the Cossacks OF the Caucasus,
that is, those of the Terek and the
KubaD, have more than the others pre-
served their primitive character of
pure warriors, for till the recent times
they were necessarily exposed to the
agsressions and ravages of the wild
tribes of the mountaineers. Night and
day for nearly three centuries they
we're watching their wild neighbors.
All along the frontier were always
posted on high lookout scatfolds senti-
nels whose keen eyes watched the
mountains as they merge with the
plains, and every Cossack village had
cannon warning the neighborhood of
the approaching danger.
In active service the Co sacks are
the soul and the eye of the army, al
ways on the alert, always watchful. The
Cossack and his horse does not know
what fatigue means, and even when
slumbering they seem to be watching.
The Cossack finds his way anywhere,
and glides furtively across the ground
occupied by the enemy. These indie
fatigable warriors give the foe not a
moments rest night or day, and al
ways appear at the point where they
are least expected. If unable to with
stand The ehock of regular troops they
disperse like cloud on the horizon,
but almost Immediately come back
from an opposite direction. During
The march they move noiselessly, their
arms being SO we'll contrived that they
never make the slightest noise. The
Cossack wears no spurs, but has a Pc
culiar whip, the famous knout,
heavy lash on short handle, in Russia
known under the name OF "nahayka."
This implement is however used not
only on the horses, but also fer other
purposes. While docile ct home, the