THE COSSACKS' RIDE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2838, 1 August 1916, Page 5

THE COSSACKS' RIDE

OVER THE MOUNTAINS TO JOfN i THE BRITISH. , (From Mr. Edmund Candler.) : 'At the Front, Mesopotamia, . ria Basra, June 5. " '■. j The officers of the Cossacks who' rode from tSenerul Baratofl's forco in Persia to join up with Sir Percy Lake's forces in Mesopotamia were lately invited to > Basra to meet Sir Percy Lake, and were uecorated with the Military Cross by order of the King. • The Cossacks' ride across country was a lino and daring achievement, an ex- ,: tremo test of our Allies' hardness,mo- 1 , : bility, and resource. Their route took Tfroni across a mountainous territory whichTi M been a'familiar landmark in. ■ : the plains where wo have been fighting for the last few months. The country traversed was rough and precipitous, and Ob- track often difficult for _ mules. They crossed passes over 8000 feet high. • Enemy forces were likely to be encouiitere<l fit any moment, ss ithese hills fl.ro infested with warlike tribfes, whose attitude at the best might be described as uecideuiy doubtful. Their guide was untrustworthy. He roused their suspicions by constant attempts to mislead them, and eventually he had to point the way with- a rope round his neck. Nevertheless, they met with no actual opposition during the whole jouruoy, other than a few stray SXSbi at long range. They travelled . - ; light. For transport they had less than ono pack ajjim&l for men. These ; carried cooking pots, and a i tent for oiiicers. Otherwise, beyond a / % Tew simplo necessaries, they had no i other kit than what they stood up in, . and they lived on the country, purchasing barloy, flour, rice, and sheep from : the villagrs. Fodder and fuel wero alwavs oT>JaTfm6Te. For ambulance they hau only one rissTslant surgeon, provided ; with medical wallets, but none of these Cossacks fell sick. They are a hard ■■. / Tlieir last march was one of thirty j mTies, during which five of their horses • : diet! of thirst or exhaustion on the ; parched desert, and they reached camp ; after, nightfall. Yet, after a dinner , wlucK was given in their honour, they wero singing and dancing, and did not turn in till one in the morning". . ' Tito rififc of the Cossacks, establishing direct contact between' the Russian force in Persia ruid the British force on th€ - i TijfHs, iias impressed the tribesmen on (* ; both sides of the frontier, wbo draw Tti'eTr own conclusions. «