A military dictionary

by William Duane

In the remote periods of the Russian empire, the strelitzy were the only regular body of troops that formed any part of the standing army of that country. It consisted of twenty or twenty-four thousand men, who enjoyed a multiplicity of privileges and immunities, and were quartered in one of the suburbs of Moscow, which is still called Strelitzkaia Slaboda. From the latitude allowed them, and the peculiar indulgencies which these soldiers enjoyed, they might be well compared to the Prætorian bands under the first Roman emperors, and, in some degree, to the Janizaries of Constantinople. They frequently mutinied like the latter, and interfered in the management of public affairs. Their last revolt, however, was fatal to them. It happened in 1698, during the absence of the Czar Peter the first, who on his return into Russia, broke the whole corps, erased its name from the list of military establishments, and put his troops upon the same footing that those of the rest of Europe were.

The established pay of a strelitz was seven rubles, and twelve combs and bushels of grain every year.

Grain, even in these days, is given as a necessary ration to a Russian soldier, which he bakes or roasts upon thin plates of iron, and then reduces to meal, making therewith a sort of dough, called Toloqueno. Every man always carries a good portion of this subsistence about him, to which he adds a small cruet of vinegar. By soaking this meal in water mixed with a little vinegar, he contrives to make a sort of soup or broth, which the Russians, who are fond of acids, find extremely palatable; and by giving it the consistency of dough, it serves for bread and meat. When the Russian soldier can procure a few greens, such as cabbage, &c. to mix with his toloqueno, he makes a complete meal, which he calls Chety. A tcharotcheka, or small glass of brandy, makes up the measure of a full repast. It must be acknowleged, that where soldiers can be brought to satisfy the cravings of nature in this economical manner, great advantages must be derived, especially in long marches through an uncultivated or desert country. We cannot, however, recommend its adoption except in cases of urgent necessity, and on services where there might be a possibility of absolute want, from the destruction or poverty of a country into which an army marches. The fare itself is not calculated to add vigor and activity to the body, or to keep alive that promptitude and fire which are required in military operations.

STRENGTH. This word may be variously understood in military matters, viz.

Strength. Fortification; fortress; stronghold. It likewise signifies armament; power; force. In all returns which are made of corps, strength implies the number of men that are borne upon the establishment, in contradistinction to effective force, which means the number fit for service. Hence, the strength of a battalion, troop, or company, &c. The allowance for the repair of arms, &c. is issued according to the return which is made, not of the effective force, but of the established strength of a troop or company.

STRICT. Exact, severe, rigorous; the contrary to mild, indulgent. Hence, a strict officer. It is sometimes used in a bad sense, to signify a petulant, troublesome commander.

To STRIKE. This word is variously used in military phraseology, viz.

To STRIKE at. To attack; to endeavor to destroy, directly or indirectly.

To STRIKE off. To erase; to blot out; as to strike off the list of the army. This can only be done by the order of the president of the United States.

To STRIKE a tent. In castrametation, to loosen the cords of a tent which has been regularly pitched, and to have it ready, in a few minutes, to throw upon a bat-horse or baggage waggon.