Post by flippyxtrem on Jan 13, 2005 21:29:06 GMT -5
In 1812, Russian Cavalry as well as Infantry, was devided into heavy and light. Heavy Cavalry consisted of cuirassier and dragoon regiments. Cuirassiers were recruited of a fine constitution soldiers because their equipment was supplemented with a cuirass. It protected breast and back of a rider from hostile cold steel. 2 Guards and 8 Army cuirassier regiments were united into the the 1st and the 2nd cuirassier divisions.
More mass kind of Cavalry were Dragoons. They were armed by guns and in case of necessity could fight on foot as ordinary infantrymen. Before the begininning of the Patriotic War 8 cavalry divisions and 1 Detached Brigade counted 36 Army dragoon regiments.
In 1812 Light Cavalry of Russian Army consisted of Hussar, Uhlan and Irregular Cossack regiments. These regiments were mainly intended for service in the outposts, reconnaissance, support of heavy Cavalry in action, pursuit of the enemy. But 11 Army hussar regiments enjoyed particular popularity; they were dressed many-colour uniform embroidered in a hungarian manner with a number of cords. 5 Army uhlan regiments inheriting traditions of Polish Light Cavalry put beautiful tunics on. Besides swords and pistols all the uhlan and part of hussar regiments were armed with long lances.
The cossack troops of Russia (and above all - from the Don region) sent to seat certain number of regiments named after their commanders or ordinal number (Ilovaisky 5th' Don regiment, the 1st Bug cossack regiment, etc.).