REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 73 



engineer corps has also charge of 2 engineer parks for the supply of sapper and pontonier 

 materials. 



552 companies of infantry veterans, who are on service in the smaller towns and villages, 

 have places in the post ofHce service, act as orderlies in government offices, take charge of 

 public buildings, &c. 271 invalid establishments, many of whose members perform similar 

 services to those last mentioned. 



THE MODEL REGIMENTS. 



The object of the model regiment of cavalry is to secure a uniform system of equitation and 

 instruction throughout that arm of service. It consists of 6^ squadrons, viz: ^ squadron of 

 Cossacks, 1 squadron of cuirassiers, 1 squadron of hussars, 2 squadrons of dragoons, 2 squad- 

 rons of lancers. It is composed of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates from all the 

 regiments of cavalry ; after going through a thorough course of instruction they return to their 

 respective regiments. With similar objects, there are also established a model regiment of 

 infantry ; a model battery of horse artillery ; a model battery of foot artillery ; and a model 

 battalion for the army of the Caucasus. Officers and men generally serve one year with the 

 model regiments. 



MIUTARY SCHOOLS. 



As these will be fully treated of by another member of the commission, it is only necessary 

 to state here that they are numerous and admirable. It is difficult to perceive in what respect 

 they are inferior to any in Europe. 



The majority of the officers come from the military schools, and the absolute necessity of such 

 institutions is fully recognized. 



IRREGULAR TROOPS. 



These include the Cossacks, Caucasians, Calmucks, Tartars, Boschkirs, &c. These people 

 are not subjected to the ordinary conscription, but, being exempt from certain taxes, are 

 required to furnish, at their own expense, a certain quota per district. The organization of all 

 these troops is based upon that of the Cossacks, who form the most important and effective 

 portion. 



The great mass is of cavalry, with some batteries, and a few battalions of infantry, for service 

 in special districts. 



The sotnia is the unit, both of cavalry and infantry; its strength varies from 100 to 200 men. 



All the officers are appointed by the emperor ; the subaltern grades alone being filled, as 

 general rule, by Cossacks. 



Although the Cossacks are all classed under the general name of irregulars, there are many 

 regiments which are, in reality, regular light cavalry ; it is probable that the Cossacks of the 

 guard, and many of those of the Don, are the best regular light cavalry in the world. I have 

 witnessed manoeuvres of the Cossacks of the guard conducted with a precision that it would be 

 impossible to exceed. 



The service of the irregular troops is mostly performed on the frontiers, and in the more wild 

 and disturbed portions of the empire, e. g., in Siberia, on the frontiers of China and Tartary, in 

 the Caucasus, on the Danube, &c. Yet large bodies of them are with the regular troops in 

 Poland, &c., and they are much employed at the custom-houses as police, &c. The Cossacks 

 of the Don and the Oural, being no longer in direct and constant contact with an enemy, may, 

 10 O 



