74 



MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



ere long, cease to exist as such ; at present, many of them are employed in the Caucasus. 

 The Cossacks of the sea of Azoff man the gun-boats used on that sea and on the coast of the 

 Caucasus. 



The Cossacks of the Black sea are now chiefly in the Kuban, and it was by an union of a 

 portion of these with the mountain Cossacks that the formidable Cossacks of the line of the 

 Caucasus were formed. 



It is impossible to obtain accurate and full information as to the numbers of the irregular 

 troops; the enumeration of Cossacks given below is probably below the true number. 



EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE COSSACKS. 



On the Chinese frontier there are also five regiments of Toungouse cavalry. In the Caucasus 

 there are regiments of native irregulars, Mussulmen, &c. During the campaigns of 1828 and 

 1829 there were with the army of Marshal Paskivitch four regiments of Mussulmen cavalry ; 

 the number has been increased since then. 



KECRUITING, ETC. 



The officers of the army are chiefly supplied by young nobles, who enter the service after 

 having passed, as cadets, through some of the numerous military schools, or else have prepared 

 themselves by serving six months as privates, two years as sergeants, and then as ensigns in 

 the regiments ; and partly by sergeants, who, after twelve years' irreproachable service, have the 

 right to demand an examination for the grade of ensign. The ensign is a non-commissioned 

 oSicer in the line of promotion, and must pass an examination before receiving a commission. 



The officers of the general stafl' (etat major) are selected from officers of all arms, who, after 

 having served two years, apply for the corps. They must be recommended by their com- 

 manders, then pass an examination before being admitted to the school of the general stafl" ; 



