Cossack Posts

[Steven Broomfield]

A while ago Ii drew attention to the Indian Army practising "Cossack Swarm" tactics (unsuccessfully) in the early 20th Century. Now those pesky horsemen of the steppes have cropped up again: I have recently acquired a copy of the History of the 4th Royal irish Dragoon Guards in the GW.

In it, I read that, at Mons in 1914, C Squadron under Major G T M Bridges put out "Cossack Posts" while screening in front of the BEF. I assume a "Cossack Post" was a small watching patrol (section, possibly?), probably under an NCO, but can anyone tell me for certain?

I've looked in the 1912 Cavalry Training manual, and in the Field Service Pocket Book, but not seen anything jumping out at me, so any suggestions gratefully received.

(Incidentally, I wonder if any other cavalry regiment provided three Generals from within its 1914 ranks: Lt Col E L Mullens and Majors A Solly Flood and Bridges all reaching divisional command or better by the end of the war)

[Guest]

I believe it refers to a two-man mounted piquet. The term was used informally in the British Army after the Crimean war. Covering screens of Cossack piquets were often encountered in this campaign and had an influence on British cavalry (particularly light cavalry) tactics in the second half of the 19th century..... I recall references to this in Crimean War literature, but it may well have predated this in Napoleonic literature, especially with reference to the retreat from Moscow where the Cossacks perhaps had their first major impression on western minds. MG

Edit. According to the OED the term means "An outpost of a few mounted men under an NCO or senior soldier" (English) etymology for "Cossack" starts in 1598 (Hakluyt Voyages I). The earliest recorded (so far) English reference to "Cossack Post" is in 1845:

"This portion of the world of the Empire is traversed by a line of Kossack posts"

- W D Cooley tr. Parrot's World Surveyed I. i. 10. (1845)

"My importations from Don Cossack post huts were considerable"

- L Oliphant in Russian Shores Black Sea p.141 (1853)

"I had visited ...all the Cossack posts on my way to the Altin-Kool"

- T W Atkinson Travels Amoor p.9 (1860)

...and perhaps more importantly and influentially in the British context:

"Each force will form a line of outposts, consisting of two Cossack posts, and scouts for reconnoitring patrols"

- Baden-Powell - Aids to Scouting p.131 (1899)

Which might suggest it was a familiar term in the British Military light cavalry in the 1870s...BP was a subaltern in the 13th Hussars in 1876 in India....I am pretty sure is was a common term in the light cavalry (Hussars) in the Victorian Army.

Edit 2: While the Cavalry Training Manual 1912 has little on Outposts (1 page), the Yeomanry and Mounted Rifle Training Manual 1912 has considerably more. While not specifically mentioning "Cossack Posts" the 8 page Chapter on 'Protection' describes in detail exactly the same type of sentries in front of outposts "usually posted in groups which consist of from three to six men under an NCO or the oldest soldier". There is some emphasis on the risks of them being cut off and I wonder if 'Cossack Posts' employed the better riders and horses for a speedier getaway... MG

MG.

[Steven Broomfield]

Thanks Martin - makes sense, now you mention it.

And, of course, by 1914 the difference between Light and Heavy cavalry was non-existent in practice, so a "Heavy" regiment like the 4th DG would be using identcal tactics to the "Light" regiments.

[Guest]

Thanks Martin - makes sense, now you mention it.

And, of course, by 1914 the difference between Light and Heavy cavalry was non-existent in practice, so a "Heavy" regiment like the 4th DG would be using identcal tactics to the "Light" regiments.

My sense is that the term infiltrated the British Army through the cavalry in the second half of the 19th Century, and quite possibly (likely?) via the Indian Army. Much of this period was the Great Game - the 'tournament of shadows' played out in the uncharted mountains between the British Indian Empire and the advancing Russian Empire. Due to the rough terrain and vast distances, irregular troops on horseback were essential....British Army cavalry officers having served in India and especially on the NW Frontier would have been familiar with these tactics which then permeated British cavalry doctrine on patrolling and outposts in the years before WWI. ..... While the opportunities for this type of tactic might have been limited on the Western Front, the experiences in Egypt, and Palestine and Macedonia provided greater opportunity.

I have studied in some detail the diaries and histories of the Yeomanry, Mounted Rifles and Light Horse in these areas in WWI and this type of outpost was very common. The man in the avatar spent 3 years in Macedonia in one of the Corps cavalry regiments (1st/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry T.F.) and the diaries and Regimental War Diary have great detail on constant patrolling, and manning outposts in extremely rough terrain and extreme conditions in summer and winter. Some refer to outposts of a few men (as little as two) in very remote locations. In modern parlance I think they would be considered as 'standing patrols' or forward observation posts operating from a forward operating base. Very successful against the Uhlans and Bulgarians who were operating on the opposite side. The emphasis was on junior NCOs in these small posts and perhaps stands as testimony to the quality and ability of the NCOs and the confidence the British cavalry commanders had in them to devolve responsibility. The same happened with the NZMR and Light Horse.

Interestingly the British prided themselves on the degree of care they took with their horses, often walking dismounted to rest their horses - tables appear in the Yeomanry and Mounted Rifle Training Manual 1912 for the recommended divisions of riding and walking dismounted. Many comments about how other armies (including the French) rode their mounts into the ground, never resting them. This is also mentioned in R. A Lloyd's book "Troop Horse & Trench" (also published as "A Trooper in the Tins") recounting his service with the Life Guards in WWI from 1914. A great read for anyone interested in WWI Cavalry.

I note the 4th R Irish DG served in India in the second half of the 19th Century. Not certain of the dates. Also I see Baden Powell commanded the 5th DGs and in 1885 wrote "Cavalry Instruction"...there must be a link there. Also "Aids to Scouting" (1899) where he mentions Cossack Posts was a military book and nothing to do the Boy Scouts which was founded later a decade later after his related publication "Scouting for Boys" (1908). "Aids to Scouting" was a best-seller. Its full title was "Aids to Scouting for NCOs and Men". I think this is the link with a time line running back through his military career in the cavalry. MG

MG

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Steven

An extract from Field Service Regulations, Part I (Operations), 1914 (the horse's mouth, as it were):

[section] 83. Mounted piquets and vedettes.

In addition to the principles laid down in 75 to 81 the following apply to mounted troops:

i. Cossack posts are equivalent to sentry groups (Sec 82). They consist of three to six men (including the vedette), under a non-commissioned officer or senior soldier. The vedettes, as a rule, dismount. The reliefs of the vedette always dismount, and remain as close to the vedette as possible.

ii. By night the vedette should be doubled and the post increased accordingly.

iii. Cossack posts never off-saddle, and must be ready for instant action. Piquet commanders will arrange for the necessary feeding and watering of the horses of cossack posts. When there is no danger of surprise they may authorize the temporary removal of bits for this purpose from one-third of the horses at a time. Otherwise they should arrange for the temporary relief of a proportion of the horses.

iv. Cossack posts are relieved every 6, 12, or 24 hours, according to weather, shelter, water, &c.

v. Feeding and watering are to be carried out by one-third of a piquet or detached post at a time. Horses which are to be fed must be taken a short distance away from the others.

vi. The horses of a piquet or detached post are never to be unsaddled or unbridled at night. During the day, when matters seem quiet, girthsc should be loosened, and saddles shifted, one-third at a time.

(I believe that a vedette is a mounted sentry.)

Ron

[Steven Broomfield]

Hello Steven

An extract from Field Service Regulations, Part I (Operations), 1914 (the horse's mouth, as it were):

Ron

Thanks ever so (and to Martin), but please collect your coat on the way out ...