EEPOET OF CAPT. GEORGE B. IPCLELLAN. 71 



RESERVE TROOPS OF THE GRAND ARJIT. 



There are two classes of reserve troops, the reserve and the depot troops. Authorities differ 

 somewhat as to the constitution of these reserves, but it is believed that the description here 

 given will give a correct idea of the principles of their formation, although it may be incorrect 

 in some details. 



The term of service in the Russian army is : twenty years in the military colonies, twenty- 

 tbree years in the guards, twenty-five years in other corps. 



By the late Emperor Nicholas was introduced the system of granting unlimited furloughs to 

 soldiers who had served faithfully for a certain time. For the purposes of conscription, Russia 

 in Europe is divided into the eastern and western provinces, the line of separation being pretty 

 nearly the meridian of Moscow. 



The soldiers from the eastern provinces and the military colonies receive their furlough after 

 fifteen years' service; those from the western provinces, after ten years' service; both categories 

 then pass into the reserves. Any soldier who entered the service in consequence of civil misde- 

 meanors, or who has been condemned to punishment for a serious oifence while in the service, 

 loses his right to the furlough, and, in the latter case, may even be required to serve longer 

 than twenty-five years. 



The soldiers from the western provinces and the colonies compose the mass of the first reserve, 

 (reserve proper.) They are called together for exercise during about four weeks in every year, 

 and in time of war are the first called upon for service. In this case, they are either draughted 

 into the active battalions, squadrons, &c., or may serve as battalions, &c., by themselves. In time 

 of peace, when not called out for drill, they exercise their civil avocations as any other j^ersons. 



The second reserve (depot troops) are only called out in time of war. 



The small permanent skeletons of these reserve battalions, squadrons, and batteries, serve as 

 schools of instruction for recruits, who are usually kejat there about a year before joining their 

 regiments. 



The principal depot for the instruction of infantry recruits is at Moscow. 



The reserve troops are oflicered by officers on leave of absence, on the retired list, &c. 



Through the whole army, including the guards, there is for every regiment of infantry a 

 reserve battalion, for every regiment of cavalry a reserve squadron, for every brigade of artillery 

 a reserve battery, and two reserve battalions of sappers. 



Omitting the guards, there is for every regiment of infantry a dejjot battalion, for every 

 regiment of cavalry a depot squadron, for every brigade of foot artillery a depot battery, and 

 two depot battalions of sappers. 



TROOPS HAVING A LOCAL DESTINATION. THE ARMY OF THE CAUCASUS. 



The regiments of the divisions of infantry, (19th, 20th, and 21st,) forming the basis of the 

 army of the Caucasus, have lately, perhaps only temporarily, been increased to 5 battalions 

 each, and the regiments of the elite brigade to 4 battalions each ; the regular portion of this 

 army is then as follows : 



3 divisions of infantry, each of 4 regiments of 5 battalions 62,880 men. 



1 elite brigade (10th grenadiers and 4th carbineers of 4 battalions each) 8,576 " 



1 battalion of rifles 1,048 " 



47 regular battalions of native troops 49,585 " 



1 battalion of sappers 1,052 " 



