I had a question about whether cossacks fought on foot. We make dismounted figures for all of our mounted cossacks, so it is a reasonable question to ask. Although I generally knew the answer, the internet–especially with the aid of AI-assisted search–knows all. Here’s the response:
“In 1877, Cossacks were known to fight on foot, particularly during the Russo-Turkish War. Although they were traditionally known for their equestrian skills and cavalry warfare, the Cossacks also developed infantry units that fought on foot.
During this time, the Cossacks were organized into various hosts, including the Don, Kuban, and Terek Cossacks, among others. These hosts were further divided into regiments, squadrons, and sotnias (hundreds), which were the basic units of the Cossack army.
When fighting on foot, the Cossacks were known for their mobility, discipline, and marksmanship. They were often used as skirmishers, scouts, and advance guards, and were effective in combat due to their knowledge of the terrain and their ability to adapt to different situations.
The Cossacks’ experience fighting on foot in 1877 was likely influenced by their previous experiences during the Crimean War and the Polish January Uprising, where they had also fought on foot. However, the Russo-Turkish War marked a significant turning point in the Cossacks’ military history, as they began to modernize their tactics and adopt new technologies, including the use of rifles and artillery.”
Pretty cool, eh? Sources included Britannica and Wikipedia.
