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COXE’S TRAVELS IN, RUSSIA, 869
They ride fhort and full-footed, raife themfelves on their ftirrups, bend their bodies with
great activity, and throw themfelves into different attitudes. They never pufh their
horfes on full fpeed in a ftraight line; but in galloping turn them in various directigns,
defcribing in their progrefs a ferpentine line, and wheeling continually to the right and
left. When not in aétion, they carry their lance flung on the foot; when engaged,
they prefent it againft the enemy by holding it almoft in the middle, and counterpoifing
it under the arm; and, from conftant practice, direct it againft an object with great dex-
terity. In retreating, they reft the lance upon their fhoulder as a defence again{t blows,
and occafionally oppofe the point toa purfuing enemy.
« Thefe Coflacs, on account of their averfion to regular difcipline, are not trained to
attack in {quadron: but aét owly as fkirmifhers, and are faid to be extremely adroit in
their defultory evolutions: they are ufually let loofe upon a flying enemy, when they
do great execution. ‘They excel as patrols, and are remarkable for their vigilance on
out-pofis, and theirknowledge of the country. The fagacity which they derive from
habit and practice is in fome particulars aftonifhing ; by examining a tract lately traverfed
by the enemy in the moft tumultuary manner, they can difcover with tolerable exaétnefs,
the number of horfes that have paffed over it, and how many of them were led. Some
_of them can defery, if any movement is taking place among a corps of troops, far be-
yond the reach of ufual obfervation; others, by applying their ears to the ground, can
diftinguifh the buz of men, or the clattering of horfes feet, at a confiderable diftance.
They can take the field every day without intermiffion, and are indefatigable in harafl-
ing the enemy; they are contented with a feanty fubfiftence, and do not require any
forage to be carried for their horfes.
“© There are eight regiments of thefe Coffacs: each regiment confifts of five fqua-
drons, and each {quadron of a hundred men, befide officers. ‘There are alfo fix other
regiments of horfe, called regular pikemen, fimilar in their arms and accoutrements to
the Coflacs, and diftinguifhed from them only by a trifling difference of drefs.”’
Computed Force of the Ruffian Army in 1785.
Guard, horfe and foot - - - 10,000
Regular cavalry - - - _ 69,465
Regular fieldinfantry and artillery > - 255,134
Garrifon battalions - - - - 49,000
Artillery ditto 7 - - - 55500
Total - 389,099
Irregulars not included.
Such was the ftate of the Ruffian army upon paper; but the real number always
falls fhort of this lift. Forit is probable that the effective troops on the peace eftablifh-
ment fcarcely exceed two hundred thoufand; and the Ruffians have feldom brought
into the field more than one hundred thoufand effective men *.
* In confequence of the tergitorial acquifitions, the army has been fince increafed ; according to Mr.
Tooke’s account, its nominal force amounts to fix hundred thoufand men, including irregulars, of whom:
he confiders five hundred thonfand effective. View of the Ruffian empire, vol, ii. p 251, 2d edition
CHAR:
°
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