In return for a large amount of fertile land and exemption from direct taxation, they have to equip themselves at their own expense, and serve for twenty years, of which three are spent in preparatory training, twelve in the active army, and five in the reserve.

This system gives to the army a contingent of about 330,000 men--divided into 890 squadrons and 108 infantry companies--with 236 guns.
The Cossacks in active service are to be met with in all parts of the Empire, from the Prussian to the Chinese frontier.

In the Asiatic Provinces their services are invaluable.

Capable of enduring an incredible amount of fatigue and all manner of privations, they can live and thrive in conditions which would soon disable regular troops.

The capacity of self-adaptation, which is characteristic of the Russian people generally, is possessed by them in the highest degree.