CHAP. XXV.] CAVALRY UNDER NAPOLEON. 



409 



and glory, to the fertile banks of the Danaetz, whilst 

 the soil of Russia was strewn with the carcases and arms 

 of our warriors, so bold, so unflinching, so devoted to 

 the glory of our country." ^ 



It is an interesting and instructive fact that these 

 horsemen were in 1813 and 1814 armed and accustomed 

 to operate upon a somewhat similar system to that 

 which, we shall find, was used most extensively and 

 successfully by the cavalry engaged during the American 

 Civil War. In the campaigns on the Elbe and Rhine 

 the Cossacks fought often as mounted infantry. Having 

 referred to the great services of these troopers, we will 

 copy the following letter from Captain Ganzauge, of the 

 Prussian Lancers of the Guard, to Captain Nolan : — 



" During great part of the last war against the French 

 I was attached to the Cossacks of the Don. These men 

 were at that time but little accustomed to the use of 

 firearms. Whilst advancing into Western Europe the 

 advantages of firearms became apparent, more particu- 

 larly when acting on intersected and difficult ground ; 

 and the Cossacks managed to arm themselves with 

 French infantry muskets which they picked up on the 

 field. Then originated amongst them the practice of 

 dismounting by turns, where the ground was favourable, 

 and thus engaging the enemy in skirmishing order. I 

 have myself seen them in this way beat cavalry very 

 superior to them in numbers, and infantry also, when 

 either the cavalry or the infantry attempted to attack 

 them singly. In such cases the infantry soldiers 

 opposed to them were afraid of the mounted men, who 

 stuck close to their dismounted comrades with the led 

 horses ; and these dismounted men were ready to jump 

 into the saddle at any moment and rush upon the enemy 

 if they gave way or were driven from their cover. 



" To this manner of skirmishing I attribute entirely 

 the success of these Cossacks during the campaigns on 

 the Elbe and the Rhine, and the decided superiority 

 they acquired over the enemy's cavalry in all outpost 

 work and detached warfare." 



^ In Nolan, 86, 87. 



