CONTENTS

 

INSTRUCTION TO THE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY

OF THE DON HOST

 

I. General Regulations, §§ 1-3.

            On the appointment of a Chief of Artillery and regarding his authorized Headquarters.

 

II. Duties of the Chief of Artillery, §§4-16.

            a. The Artillery’s internal administration, § 4.

            b. Obtaining men for the Artillery, §§ 5 and 6.

            c. Supplying the batteries, § 7.

            d. Training the batteries, §§ 8 and 9.

            e. Inspecting the batteries, § 10.

            f. Supplying and reporting the batteries’ needs, § 11.

            g. Supplying batteries on campaign, §§ 12 and 13.

            h. Inspecting batteries returned from campaign, § 14.

            i. Administrative transfer of batteries by Battery Commanders, § 15.

            j. Administering the Artillery school, § 16.

 

III. Rights and prerogatives of the Chief of Artillery, §§ 17-25.

            a. Authority of the Chief of Artillery, § 17, 18, and 19.

            b. Rights regarding the appointment of Battery Commanders, § 20.

            c. Detached assignments of Officers, § 21.

            d. Release on leave, § 22.

            e. Punishments of subordinate Officers, § 23.

            f. Punishments of lower ranks, § 24.

            g. Reporting and resolving investigations and courts-martial, § 25.

            h. Reporting extraordinary occurrences, § 26

 

IV. The position of the Chief of Artillery, §§ 27-32.

            a. Subordination to the Master General of Ordnance and the Government Ataman, §§ 27 and 28.

            b. Reports to the Master General of Ordnance and the Government Ataman, §§ 29 and 30.

            c. Orders and reports received by the Chief of Artillery, § 31.

            d. Relationship to the Army’s Chief of Artillery when assigned to the Army with batteries, § 32.

            e. Responsibilities of the Chief of Artillery, §§ 33 and 34.

Annotated on the original in HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY’S own hand:

 

“Make it so.”

 

Tsarskoe Selo.

28 June 1844.

 

_______________________

 

INSTRUCTION

TO THE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY OF THE DON HOST

 

*   *   *

 

I. General regulations.

 

§  1.

 

Based on Art. 1878, Book 2, Part I of the Compilation of Military Directives, the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host [Nachal’nik Artillerii Voiska Donskago] controls, under the overall command of the Master General of the Ordnance [General-Fel’dtseikhmeister], the entire Don Artillery.

§  2.

 

He is chosen from Artillery Generals or Colonels and confirmed in his position by Highest Order, upon the recommendation of the Master General of the Ordnance.

 

§  3.

 

The Chief of Artillery of the Don Host has his own Headquarters in accordance with the accompanying Organization Table. The conduct of business in the Headquarters is in accordance with the rules established for the Host Duty Office.

 

 

II. Duties of the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host.

 

§  4.

 

In managing the Don Artillery, its Chief, in regard to the Artillery’s internal administration, must ensure: a) that Don Horse-Artillery batteries are maintained in the appropriate correct order and strength; b) that in them is observed appropriate discipline, service procedures, and the mandatory uniformity of regulation clothing; c) that horse furniture is completely in order and fits the horses; d) that the cossacks’ own horses in the units are in all respects capable and well kept; e) that obtaining remounts and the maintenance of the draft and pack horses authorized by the Organization Table are conducted using the funds designated for these purposes, in good time and in due regard for the regulations; f) that all remounts bought by Battery Commanders are examined during camp inspections, in the presence of each Battery Commander, and verified as conforming with all regulations established in this regard; g) that the distribution of horses and their maintenance in stables and in herds is also conducted based on the exact observance of the regulations established for this.

 

§  5.

 

In obtaining men for the batteries, the Chief of Artillery assigns them according to battery vacancies and observes that Battery Commanders receive the lower ranks in accordance with the rules set forth in the Host Regulations. When needed, he transfers lower ranks from one battery to another. The Chief of Artillery reports all of this to the Government Ataman [Nakaznyi Ataman] and the Master General of Ordnance and submits personnel rosters.

 

§  6.

 

He sees to it that the selection of personnel to be sent from the Don Artillery Batteries to the Guards is done impartially and following the existing rules for the Life-Guards Don Horse-Artillery Battery.

 

§  7.

 

In supplying the batteries, the Chief of Don Artillery must:

a) Transfer all funds for battery supplies and remounts to the appropriate Battery Commanders; once battery accounts are checked by Staff Headquarters, they are presented through the Host Duty Office to the Host Administration in accordance with established procedure, for auditing.

b) Observe that batteries receive all authorized supplies in good time; and

c) Enter into correspondence with the appropriate persons if delays or irregularities are noticed regarding battery supplies; in special cases, inform the Government Ataman and, if necessary, the Master General of Ordnance.

 

§  8.

 

In mustering batteries together for practical exercises, the Chief of Artillery:

a) Designates camp locations after preliminary discussion with the local authority; once permission is received from the Government Ataman, he simultaneously makes the appropriate preparations, informing the Master General of Ordnance of these, as well as the time and place each battery will be encamped.

b) If during a muster of personnel for practical exercises it turns out that some of them do not appear for inspection in the camp for invalid reasons, then the Chief of Artillery reports this to the Government Ataman for investigation in accordance with the procedures defined by law.

 

§  9.

 

The Chief of Artillery must take special care to achieve perfection in practical artillery exercises as well as in formation drill. To attain this goal he must: a) Pay special attention when batteries set out for the encampment and to the training of lower ranks in all units; b) Endeavor to stimulate a desire among the Officers to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of Artillery; to this end Officers, during an encampment, are to be given an examination on their service duties; b) For those innovations that are accepted for implementation by the Army Artillery but which are inappropriate for the Don Host due to its special circumstances, as well as for all things noted in professional service journals as being useful for perfecting the artillery, make a report to the Master General of Ordnance and inform the Government Ataman.

 

§  10.

 

In order to make sure everything is in order in all aspects of the batteries, the Chief of Host Artillery must:

a) Every May, during the muster of batteries for practical training, make an inspection. This inspection is conducted according to the procedures set forth in the Regulations for Cavalry Field Service, adapted to Regimental Inspections in the Don Host.

b) At the end of the inspection, report results in the prescribed manner to the Government Ataman and Master General of Ordnance.

c) Take immediate and decisive steps to remedy any deficiencies noted during the inspection, make good any shortfalls in materiel, and put everything in complete good order.

d) In June make a report to the Government Ataman on those lower ranks who upon personal verification turn out to be unfit to continue artillery service. Upon receiving permission from him to release them from the Artillery and to fill up the ranks, make arrangements for a call-up of lower ranks in August through the Battery Commanders, from designated cossack settlements. Submit nominal lists of the selected men and their assignments to batteries to the Host Duty Office, and at its direction enroll these men into service.

 

§  11.

 

Based on the Regulation for Military Administration of the Don Host, the Chief of Artillery arranges for the particular needs in each battery. To this end, if necessary, he disburses the needed funds and makes a report for the approval of the Government Ataman.

 

§  12.

 

When batteries march out for campaign service, the Chief of Artillery takes care:

a) That lower ranks are fully clothed.

b) That the cossacks’ service mounts are fit and are of the requisite number; and

c) That Battery Commanders turn over buildings or other constructions to the local Authorities.

 

§  13.

 

The Chief of Artillery will report to the Government Ataman and Master General of Ordnance on the state of batteries setting off on campaign.

 

§  14.

 

Based on the Regulation for Military Administration of the Don Host, the Chief of Don Artillery conducts a special inspection of batteries returning to the Don from campaign service, and reports findings to the Government Ataman and the Master General of Ordnance.

 

§  15.

 

When Battery Commanders assume and relinquish command of batteries, the Chief of Artillery must take strict care that the assumption or relinquishing of command is without fail completed in the course of seven days. If any problem in the accounts is encountered, he sets to resolving it and makes a final resolution based on his examination of the matter, demanding the immediate execution of his directives. If after this the turnover of command is still not satisfactory, then he explains the reasons in a report to the Government Ataman so that the responsible persons may be dealt with in accordance with the law, and at the same time all this is reported to the Master General of Ordnance.

 

§  16.

 

The Chief of Artillery is immediately responsible for maintaining the Don Artillery Training School [Donskaya Uchebnaya Artilleriiskaya Shkola] in good order and seeing that the Regulation established for it is carried out exactly.

 

 

III. Rights and Prerogatives of the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host.

 

§  17.

  

All the Don Host Artillery and everything attached to it is under the command of the Chief of Host Artillery.

 

§  18.

 

He manages the Artillery entrusted to him through the Commanders of the Host batteries.

 

§  19.

 

He has the same rights and powers as Chiefs of Horse-Artillery divisions in Reserve Cavalry Corps (Article 1030, Book 2, Part I, Compilation of Military Directives).

 

§  20.

 

The Chief of Artillery informs the Host Government Ataman, for most respectful reporting to the SOVEREIGN EMPEROR through the Master General of Ordnance, of appointments as Battery Commanders of worthy Field and Company-Grade Officers by right of seniority. In this an explanation is given for any bypassed senior officer. If there is a shortage of Field and Company-Grade Officers in the Don Host, the Chief of Artillery in the same way requests the assignment of suitable Officers.

 

§  21.

 

He assigns Field and Company-Grade Officers within the Host as required by the needs of the service. For assignments outside the confines of the Host, he informs, with explanations, the Master General of Ordnance and the Government Ataman.

 

§  22.

 

He grants leaves during the established periods for 15 days for Field and Company-Grade Officers, and for privates in accordance with the rules established in this regard. He presents requests for leave outside the Don Host lands to the Host Government Ataman.

§  23.

 

For omissions of duty or violations of regulations, he issues reprimands to Battery Commanders and other officers under him in a formal order, arrests them (except for Colonels), and confines them in the guardhouse, but for no longer than 72 hours. He makes a full report to the Government Ataman and at the same time informs the Master General of Ordnance.

 

§  24.

 

He reduces Cossack non-commissioned officers [uryadniki] to privates for bad behavior or lack of zeal for service. For more serious infractions, he turns them over to a court-martial, and reports this to the Host Government Ataman.

 

§  25.

 

He reviews investigations and courts-martial and submits his opinion on these to the Government Ataman through the Host Duty Office. Equally, he makes final decisions in judicial cases involving privates, as long as these do not exceed the powers granted him by § 19 of the present Instruction.

 

§  26.

 

The Chief of Artillery of the Don Host reports any extraordinary events to the SOVEREIGN EMPEROR, Master General of Ordnance, and Government Ataman, noting in the last two reports that these are also being transmitted to HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY.

 

 

IV. The Position of the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host.

 

§  27.

 

 The Chief of Artillery of the Don Host is fully subordinate to the Master General of Ordnance in regard to matters of Artillery, and is directly under the Authority of the Government Ataman.

 

§  28.

 

He does not leave the area where the Artillery entrusted to him is located without the permission of the Government Ataman. Once this is received, he informs the Master General of Ordnance of who is taking his place.

 

§  29.

 

In regard to matters touching upon general internal administration, the Chief of Artillery reports to the Government Ataman as appropriate, and for further disposition following established procedure: 1) all requests by military personnel submitted to the HIGHEST Authority by name; 2) promotions of non-commissioned officers to Officers upon completion of the regulation number of years’ service, and of cossacks to non-commissioned officers; 3) transfers of Officers and their seniority; 4) retired Officers re-entering service; 5) release of Officers from service; 6) reassignment to internal host service of lower ranks who have served the established lengths of time (in December of each year); 7) promotions of Company-Grade Officers and non-commissioned officers (in January) due to vacancies, based on the general rules of the Don Host’s Military Administration; 8) technical matters; 9) documentation of noble origins of lower ranks in the Artillery; 10) shortages of non-commissioned officers, clerks, and cossacks; 11) awards of medals and orders to Field and Company-Grade Officers for long service, in accordance with existing regulations; 12) outstanding Field and Company-Grade Officers who by their zealous service earn special attention; 13) permissions for Field and Company-Grade Officers to marry; 14) personal service records and appraisements of Artillery Field and Company-Grade Officers serving on the Don, but just service records for non-commissioned officers (annually in December); 15) general monthly reports on the state of batteries (excluding the Life-Guards Horse-Artillery Battery), and 16) monthly copies of orders issued to the Don Host Artillery. The last three items are reported to the Master General of Ordnance at the same time.

 

§  30.

 

In drafting all his reports, the Chief of Host Artillery must be guided by the Regulation for reducing paperwork in the forces.

 

§  31.

 

The Chief of Artillery receives: 1) from the Host Duty Office: Highest orders, ukases of the Ruling Senate, orders of the Minister of War, circulars from the Inspection Department, and other directives for his Headquarters as well as for subordinate batteries; 2) from the Master General of Ordnance’s Headquarters: orders for the Artillery; 3) monthly reports from all subordinate batteries; 4) from Commanders of batteries located on the Don, reports on all important events and occurrences, and 5) from batteries serving outside the host, copies of personal service records and appraisements submitted to immediate Commanders.

 

§  32.

 

In case he goes out with his subordinate batteries on campaign and they join the Active Army, the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host becomes subordinate to the Army’s Chief of Artillery, equal in status to Chiefs of Horse-Artillery Divisions, in agreement with Part I, Book 2, Arts. 1032-1045 of the Compilation of Military Directives.

 

 

V. The Responsibility of the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host.

 

§  33.

 

The responsibility of the Chief of Artillery flows from his own duties as delineated in this Instruction.

 

§  34.

 

His is answerable for exceeding the authority granted him, for every omission in carrying out his duties, and for any action in violation of this Instruction or general regulations

 

 

Signed:

Prince A. Chernyshev.

Matvei Khrapovitskii.

Aleksandr Eiler.

N. Ugryumov.

Aleksandr M. Danilevskii.

Mikhail Braiko.

 

 

 

Director, HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY’S Suite, Major General Annenkov 3rd.

 

Chief Editor of the Compilation of Military Directives, State Counselor Ustryalov.

 

*     *     *     *     *     *

 

           

Annotated on the original in HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY’S own hand:

 

“Make it so.”

 

Tsarskoe Selo.

28 June 1844.

 

________________________

 

ORGANIZATION TABLE

HEADQUARTERS OF THE

CHIEF OF ARTILLERY OF THE DON HOST

 

NOTES
1. The enumerated entitlements of this Table are shown according to regulation calculations.

2. The Chief of Artillery receives quarters allowance or 450 r. silver annually; the Senior Adjutant, Auditor, and Veterinary Doctor are assigned quarters.

3. The Senior Adjutant and Auditor are appointed by the Government Ataman of the Don Host (for the former) and the Auditors Department (for the latter).

4. Of the Table’s authorized 2 orderlies and 2 translators, the first are assigned to the Chief of Artillery and the second to the Senior Adjutant and Auditor.

5. Clerks, orderlies, translators, and cossacks receive provisions from the Host as per regulations.

6. Funds for maintaining the Headquarters of the Chief of Artillery of the Don Host are requisitioned each year from the Host Administration.

7. Any remaining funds from the amount authorized by this Table for Chancellery expenses may, with the Chief of Artillery’s permission, be used to reward the clerks.

 

 

 

Signed:

Prince A. Chernyshev.

Matvei Khrapovitskii.

Aleksandr Eiler.

N. Ugryumov.

Aleksandr M. Danilevskii.

Mikhail Braiko.

 

 

 

Director, HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY’S Suite, Major General Annenkov 3rd.

 

Chief Editor of the Compilation of Military Directives, State Counselor Ustryalov.

 

 

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Translated by Mark Conrad, 2004.