| Notes: |
Illegible artist signature at lower left of image. Printed on border: "As fighters on horseback, the Cossacks have always had a personal ascendency over all other cavalry, and in the Great War of the Nations they maintained that ascendency. This scene shows them standing in stirrups crossed over the saddles and swimming their horses across a river. The Cossacks hold their land by a military service tenure, and are liable to duty for life. Service begins at the age of nineteen and lasts for twenty-four years in three distinct periods. First, there is three years' training in their home settlements, followed by twelve years in regimental headquarters. This second is a "home" furlough period, when the man keeps his horse and equipment ready for service, with a short term of training annually. Then there is a four-year period, when the Cossack is required only to keep his arms and equipment ready for service, with one training term of three weeks. Finally, for five years he is in the Reserves, and is only called upon for war service." |
