The Cossack

The term 'Cossack'  brings to mind a large bearded fellow on a horse with a furry round Russian hat and hes probably riding with a large sword, sabre, or lance in his hand. Actually that's not too far off.

It is believed that the Cossack's originally came from either the Ukraine or an an area in Poland-Lithuania in the 15th Century. But since then, Cossack tribes appear in all areas and the look that they have taken on is one that looks as though it has influence from, Turkey, Mongolia, and old Muscovite Russia. For hundreds of years the Russian military has utilized these soldiers in warfare.

Cossack soldiers have a distinct appearance, they often wear bright, baggy, uniforms, adorned with all sorts of traditional accessories. The Cossack became a sort of style in the Russian Military, and even a nick-name for Russian soldiers (regardless if they were actually Cossacks or not.) 

European armies in particular tend to all jump on a band wagon and adopt the newest in military fashion, often creating whole new units of soldiers just to have them wear the latest and greatest. This was never more apparent then in 19th Century Europe, when every army had to include regiments of Cuirassiers that looked like flashy versions of medieval knights, or Zouaves that looked like they were strait from French Algeria, Uhlan Cavalry that carried lances from Poland, Hussar Cavalry that were uniformed in traditional Hungarian garb, Dragoons that came from one of the old German States. But Russia uniquely had the Cossack, perhaps this is due to the fact that Russia had long ruled over the native Cossack populations.

By the time of the Crimean War Cossacks had become almost exclusively Cavalry and Artillery units, and by the time of WWII they would be primarily Cavalry units. Even today Cossack Cavalry units remain a part of the Russian Army. Cossacks became a vital part of the Russian military and became a symbol of Russian Militarism.

Cossack Life Guard Regiment during the Napoleonic War

The Empress with the Czar and Czarevich in Cossack Uniforms

Cossack and his dead horse in the Crimean War

Cossacks in the Soviet Army

Cossacks in the German Army during WWII

There are a few characteristics of Cossacks that never seem to change no matter what side they're on or who they're fighting, they always have facial hair, they wear the fur caps, and they carry traditional Cossack Swords.