| Show cock soldier the cossack soldier u the winter time is obliged to every other consideration to that of the deadly cold of the steppes there is a belief among them that their entrance to heaven will be easier if they are personally clean so that a scrupulous toilet is made before any chance of an encounter but this neatness is not apparent at first glance for they are bundled up in great coats of sheepskin or goatskin with a great pointed hood clumsy mittens conceal their hands and wisps of straw are bound around their feet the officer looks exactly like the private the cossacks made their first campaign with russian soldiers in 1538 the cossacks now in the russian army number exclusive of those incorporated with the field troops |
