Osprey Men-at-Arms 189 : The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2) 1799-1814 : Cavalry

During the Napoleonic era, Russia possessed a vast force of cavalry, forming a greater percentage than that of most European armies. This stemmed partly from their service against the Turks (who had huge numbers of troops) and partly from the fact that much Russian terrain was suitable for the manoeuvre of large bodies of cavalry. While the rank and file of the regular cavalry were generally as solid and reliable as their counterparts in the infantry, it seems that whereas infantry officers were reviled as being generally ignorant and idle, cavalry officers usually enjoyed a much higher reputation; the British observer Sir Robert Wilson noted that they attended their duty 'with great zeal and diligence'. Wilson noted that 'the vivacity of their cavalry, and the unquailing steadiness of their infantry, make it a pleasure to command them in extremist difficulties'. Philip Haythornthwaite's companion book to Men-at-Arms 185 : The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1) 1799-1814 : Infantry examines the organisation, tactics and uniforms of the Russian cavalry which fought in the Napoleonic Wars, accompanied by numerous illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten.

Contents

• Russian Cavalry
• Cuirassiers
• Dragoons
• Hussars
• Uhlans
• Mounted Jagers (or Chasseurs)
• The Lifeguard
• Opolchenie and 'Foreign Corps'
• Cossacks
• The Plates