|
Cavalry Units
Don Cossacks (Russia)
| These Cossacks were an irregular cavalry, a peculiar estate with an original structure and unique administration system.
Their ranks were beefed up with fugitive serfs and militaries sent to defend frontiers. The largest Cossack associations were formed on Dniepro (Zaporizhzhya
Sich), Don and Yaik (river Ural). As the Russian monarchy grew stronger in the XIX century, Cossacks gained status of a regular army. Their weapons and
equipment were manifold, but mainly they were armed with a scimitar, pistols, a musket, and a lance. A Cossack used no armor or sometimes a light chain
mail, and wore a checkmen (a long caftan with no buttons) and a tall fur-cap. Like light cavalry, Cossacks attacked in extended array. They were quick
and maneuverable, successful in raids into the rear, outflanking maneuvers, and were often used for developing new territories and frontier services. |
|
 |
|
