About UsWe're a group of friends who seek to enjoy organised events in the NW community, and wish to honour the sacrifices made by the men of all sides of the great conflicts of the early 19th century whilst doing so. Rank means little here, other than who is trusted to carry us to glorious victory, or to humorous defeat at the hands of a numerically superior foe. Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of skill level, or abilities. We simply ask that you attempt to remain mature when the situation calls for it. Nothing is mandatory, in terms of trainings or events. We understand that everyday life comes before shooting virtual soldiers, and won't kick you out for being 'inactive', assuming you don't simply disappear.
- Thomas, a failure at making nice introductions.
Roster Spoiler Thomas
Kowalski
Holland
| Ranks Spoiler *Gasp* We have none.
|
HistoryThe name Cossack is derived from the Turkic word quzzaq and mean simply "adventurer" and "freeman". This name has been shared by several groups throughout the history of Europe and Asia. The most prominent and numerous are the Russian Cossacks of the Don, Ural and Siberia regions. Also famous were the Ukrainian Cossacks who lived on the southern steppes of modern Ukraine. They grew astronomically during the 15th-17th centuries due to numerous runway peasants from Russia and Poland respectively. Cossacks paid no taxes and enjoyed a large measure of autonomy in the management of their communal affairs.
Janet Hartley writes: "Cossacks are not a separate ethnic group (although they were designated as such in the Soviet period); they comprise mainly Russian and Ukrainian peasants and fugitives who had fled to the southern borderlands. They nevertheless regarded themselves as a separate group within the Russian empire, with separate institutional and social structure, who owed a loyalty to their Cossack host as well ass to the Russian tsar. The 18th and the early 19th century saw the transformation of Cossack communities from active resistors to central tsarist authority to loyal servitors of the state, but this did not mean that they had lost their sense of separate identity or their distrust of Russian officials and grandees." (Charles Esdaile - "Popular Resistance in the French Wars" p186)
Cossacks played a key role in the expansion of the Russian Empire into Siberia, the Caucasus and Asia. They also served as guides to most Russian expeditions formed by civil geographers, traders, explorers and surveyors. In 1648 the Russian Cossack Simeon Dezhnev opened a passage between America and Asia. (ext.link)
During the Napoleonic Wars the Cossacks participated in numerous campaigns and battles. In late 1790s they went with Suvorov to Italy and Switzerland. In 1805 they took part in the disastrous Austerlitz Campaign. In 1806 and 1807 the Cossacks were in Eastern Prussia in Bennigsen's army. There were several Cossack regiments fighting against the Swedes and Turks in 1808, 1809 and 1810.
In 1812 and 1813 the Cossacks covered themselves with glory. The relentless pursuit by the light cavalry and Cossacks, the winter and the tsar's and people's determination resulted in a truly disastrous defeat on Napoleon. The Grand Army ceased to be grand, it even ceased to be an army. Fewer than 100,000 of the 500 000 that Napoleon had used for the invasion returned west.
Cossacks in Paris In 1814 the dreaded Cossacks entered Paris. They were received with the best foods but they preferred to cook their own meals. The beautiful houses, palaces and courts, and the products of luxury which they encountered in Paris did not tempt them. In the beginning the Parisians were scared of the the unique troops. Russian and Cossack officers gathered in certain restaurants and hammered on the tables yelling bistro ! which is Russian word for "quickly". Hence the name bistro for this type of restaurant.
The no-nonsense tough warriors bivouacked in the square of the Carousel before his majesty's windows, and dried their shirts and trousers on the iron railings of the palace. They also camped out on the famous Champs Elysees.
The Cossacks were again in Paris in 1815. A large group of Cossacks was dispatched to find the Prussians and English armies advancing on Paris and they were the first Allies' troops who marched through Paris very shortly after Waterloo.
Shamelessly stolen from
here.
Interested in Joining?If you wish to join our roaming horde, feel free to contact me via the
FSE Forums or
Steam.
Or.. if you'd like for everyone to be aware of your application..
[b]Name[/b]:
[b]Age[/b]: (We have no age limit, merely one for maturity)
[b]Previous Experience?[/b]
[b]Do you have, or are you willing to download Teamspeak 3?[/b]
Songs Posted in This Thread:This is still a WIP. Feel free to yell at me about it, as I know next to nothing of the Cossacks and their organisation.(I'd be grateful for any help offered though.
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