The Cossacks 1799-1815

by SPRING, LAURENCEHAYTHORNTHWAITE, PHILIP

• ISBN13: 9781841764641
• ISBN10: 1841764647
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-03-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Cossacks were Russia's unique and plentiful supply of irregular cavalry. They were employed as skirmishers, raiders and scouts, and their tactics of harassment and harrying caused great problems for Napoleon's Grand Armee as it retreated through Russia in 1812. This title shows how, although labelled as rapacious, lascivious, mercenary and ill-disciplined on the field by their detractors, they laid claim to being the finest light cavalry in Europe. This book also details the various tribes that made up the Cossack nation, the social structure of Cossack life, and how they were organised and employed in war.

Author Biography

Laurence Spring holds a degree in History from London University, and is the co-ordinator of the Russian Army Study Group, an organisation with a world-wide membership. He is currently translating A V Viskovatov's seminal Historical Description of the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Army, which will be published by the Group. He has also written books on the English Civil War, and numerous articles for magazines. Laurence currently works at the Surrey History Centre, formerly the Surrey Record Office, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction	4	(5)
Chronology	5	(2)
Cossack Life	7	(3)
Active Service	10	(3)
Organisation	13	(4)
Don Cossacks
Ural Cossacks
Black Sea Cossacks
Churguevski Cossack Orenburg Cossacks
Caucasus Cossacks
Cossacks of the Siberian Line Inspection Asiatic Russia
Other tribes
Appearance	17	(6)
Don Cossacks
Black Sea Cossacks
Orenburg Cossacks
Churguevski Cossacks Bug Cossacks
Ukrainian Cossacks
Gredenski Cossacks
Ural Cossacks Siberian Line Cossacks
Other tribes
Cossack Horses	23	(1)
Pay and Plunder	24	(2)
Training	26	(2)
Tactics	28	(2)
On Campaign	30	(14)
Departure
Billeting
Carrying despatches
Officers' lackeys
Conflicts
The Cossacks in Battle	44	(8)
The raids
On to Paris	52	(5)
Homecoming	57	(1)
Conclusion	58	(1)
Museums	59	(1)
Re-Enactment	60	(1)
Glossary	60	(1)
Bibliography	60	(1)
Colour Plate Commentary	61	(3)
Index	64