Kuropatkin, A.N.: Algeria (From “Voennyi sbornik” and “Russkii invalid”)

Title

Alzhiriia (iz “Voennogo Sbornika” i “Russkogo invalida”), Sankt-Peterburg 1877

Algeria (From “Voennyi sbornik” and “Russkii invalid”)

Keywords

Summary

The 314-page book is divided into four main parts and is supplemented with a map of Algeria. Part One offers a military-statistical overview of Algeria at the time of the author’s journey, covering population demographics (detailing both local and European population), the influence of European civilisation, education, and the financial aspects of Algeria’s role as a French colony. Part Two, titled “Letters from Algeria”, recounts the author’s travels from his arrival at the Algerian port, through cities like Tlemsen and Laguat, and into the Sahara desert. Here the author provides observations on local customs, women’s roles, and encounters with phenomena like desert storms and mirages. He also visits the city of Ouargla, as well as other cities. Part Three briefly discusses the aspect of food, particularly focusing on food that is suitable for soldiers, whereas Part Four, “Camels’ Caravan”, offers practical advice on the benefits of using a camel caravan for desert travel.

Bio

Aleksei Kuropatkin was a Russian general. After studying at the Nicholas General Staff Academy (1872-1874), he was sent to Berlin and Paris as a military attaché. As such, he took part in a year-long French expedition to northern Sahara; this experience resulted in a study of Algeria which was awarded a medal by the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. Holding prestigious posts, he was later involved in several major conflicts, like the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). After being briefly arrested as a consequence of the February Revolution of 1917, he taught at an agricultural school that he had founded until his death. Among his publications: Altishahr: A Historical-Geographical Essay on the Country (1879); The Conquest of Turkmenistan (1899); General Kuropatkin’s Notes on the Russo-Japanese War (1909); The Russo-Chinese Question (1913).

Sources

A. Knox, General Kuropatkin, “The Slavonic Review”, 1925, 10 (4), p. 164-168;

P. Pozefskii, General Aleksei Nikolaevich Kuropatkin and the Imperial Russian Army, “UCLA Historical Journal”, 1985, 6, p. 50-82.

M.E.