of the first line and two of the second. Two new Rifle Brigades have just been added to the existing strength. They are composed as follows:
7th Brigade Port Arthur |
8th Brigade Vladivostock | ||
General Kondratenko | General Artamanoff | ||
25th Regiment | 29th Regiment | ||
26th Regiment„ | 30th Regiment„ | ||
27th Regiment„ 28th Regiment„ |
(new) | 31st Regiment„ 32nd Regiment„ |
(new) |
The Russian is a phenomenal marcher; the actual weight of his equipment is 58 lbs. 2 oz. One tent is carried in section between six men. Each soldier carries in his haversack two and a half days' biscuits. The ration in daily use for war consists of
Biscuit 1 lb 13 oz.
Meat 714 oz.
Groats 445 oz.
Salt 45 oz.
Tea 940 oz.
Sugar 820 oz.
Spirits 127 of a pint
In the exigencies of active service it happens that the Russian soldier must forage for himself. Under any circumstances, however, he sustains himself on very little nourishment, and relies in a great measure upon what he can find. The Russian cavalry is armed with sword, rifle and bayonet. The latter is invariably carried "fixed," even when the weapon itself is slung. A few regiments only carry the lance. The field guns are steel breech-loaders manufactured at the Obukhov works. They are akin to the Krupp pattern; many, however, have the interrupted screw breech piece and the de Bange obturation. At present there are many varieties of artillery with the Russian troops,