Russian Army Statistics and Organization (1826-1852)

In this section you will find some useful statistics relating to the Russian army during the second quarter of the 19th century.  Manpower of the Russian army for selected years between 1826 and 1852 can also be found here as can a large amount of information regarding the composition and staffing of the Russian army during this period of history.

Russian Army Organization

The tables below show the organization of the Russian army during the reign of Nicolas I from 1826 to the era just before the Crimean war.  Ideal unit strengths and composition of the command staff are also given with selected formations.  The type of guns found in artillery units of the era are also listed.

Imperial Guard and Grenadier Corps Organization

The Imperial Guard and the Grenadier corps were considered to be the elite of the Russian army.  The Imperial Guard was comprised of three infantry divisions and ten cavalry regiments of differing type.  The Grenadier Corps was a lighter organization when compared to the Guards.  It was made up of three infantry divisions and four cavalry regiments.  It should be noted that the divisions of these Corps were slightly stronger than those of regular infantry due to the additional light infantry regiment assigned to each division.

Army Infantry Corps Organization

The six Russian infantry corps were similar in organization and numbered 1 through 6.  Each was composed of three infantry divisions and a cavalry division.  The infantry divisions were numbered 1 through 18 and had an ideal strength of 17,068 men each.  Each infantry corps also had an artillery division attached to it.  The artillery division had the same numerical designation (1 through 6) as the corps it belonged to.  An artillery brigade from this division was assigned to support each of the three infantry divisions within the corps.  Additional units within the corps included a rifle battalion, a sapper battalion, a supply battalion, and a light Cossack artillery battery.

Infantry Brigade Organization

Russian infantry brigades were composed of two regiments of the same troop type as its parent brigade (a Jaeger brigade would be composed of two Jaeger regiments for example).  Each infantry regiment was numbered 1 through 42.  Jaeger regiments were also numbered 1 through 42.  In addition to this each regiment also bore the name of a city, region, or honorary patron and was usually identified by these honorary names (which could change from time to time).

Commanders of infantry regiments were typically colonels, but were occasionally generals.  Officers of the regimental staff included four lieutenants, one acting as aide-de-camp, one as treasurer, one as quartermaster, and one in charge of the train.  The train was composed of a drum major, 40 musicians, a chief drummer, a bugler, and 54 enlisted men.  There were also 17 men working as infirmary staff, 116 other non-combatants, and a priest.  The train also had 280 horses and 71 wagons, one of which was for the priest.

The first battalion of a regiment was considered the elite battalion and shared the same number as its parent regiment.  The remaining three battalions were numbered consecutively after the first.  The lead battalion was commanded by a colonel while the other three were led by majors.  Battalion staff was comprised of a second lieutenant acting as aide-de-camp, one junker, a chief drummer, bugler, and a standard bearer.

Infantry battalions were comprised of four companies (1 grenadier and three musketeer) while Jaeger battalions were composed of a carabineer and three jaeger companies.  Companies were numbered sequentially within the regiment.  Companies were further divided into two platoons each.  A company (infantry or jaeger) was typically commanded by a captain or staff-captain.  Other officers on his staff included a lieutenant, a second lieutenant, and an ensign.  Enlisted members of the unit included a sergeant major, 18 sergeants, seven drummers, 5 buglers, 230 men, and a barber.

Foot Artillery Brigade Organization

Artillery brigades were numbered consecutively 1 through 18, with three brigades belonging to a division assigned to each infantry corps.  The batteries within each brigade were numbered sequentially 1 through 4.  Each battery was commanded by either a colonel or lieutenant colonel.  Other officers within the battery included a captain, staff-captain, two lieutenants, two second lieutenants, and three junkers.  Enlisted men included a sergeant major, 23 sergeants, 68 bombardiers, and 176 gunners.  Other men assigned to the battery included three drummers, three buglers and a doctor.

Horse Artillery Brigade Organization

Horse artillery brigades were each composed of two batteries.  In most cases the batteries were light artillery batteries, but heavy batteries were assigned to the two reserve cavalry corps.  The composition of a horse artillery battery was similar to foot artillery in that each was commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel.  It had a similar number of officers, but the number of enlisted troops was different.  We do not have exact figures on the number of enlisted men and horses at this time.

The Reserve Cavalry Corps

The two reserve cavalry corps gave the Russian army some degree of flexibility in its deployments.  The first reserve cavalry corps was larger and heavier than the second.  It was composed of two cuirassier and one Ulan division.  The second reserve cavalry corps with its two dragoon divisions was lighter and more mobile.  Both reserve corps had six artillery batteries assigned to them.

 Other Army Formations

Other major Russian military formation included the Army of the Caucasus, the Reserve Ulan division, and the troops of the Frontier and Interior Forces.  The first of these formations was the Army of the Caucasus which was comprised of a variety of regiments.  This force normally used against mountain tribes and Muslim rebels in the newly conquered regions of Armenia, Dagestan, and Azerbaijan.

The reserve Ulan Division was comprised of four Ulan regiments and three horse artillery batteries.  It is unclear to us at this time if the batteries were light or heavy.  Their organization was identical to other horse artillery batteries described above.

Frontier forces were made up of three divisions and guarded distant regions of the empire.  While the 50 battalions of interior troops were tasked with maintaining order, as well as escorting prisoners and conscripts.  The 98 artillery companies of the interior troops were assigned as garrison forces.  Each was made up of 165 men commanded by four officers.  The remaining 54 companies were penal units tasked with repairing buildings and roads.