Chapter XXV · Boris Has a Narrow Escape

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

in actual fact

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the two together, not just one

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

dearly loved

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the ratio of the output to the input of any system

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

expel from a country

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

beyond calculation or measure

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

engage in

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

the force of workers available

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

a city of central European Russia; formerly capital of both the Soviet Union and Soviet Russia; since 1991 the capital of the Russian Federation

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

not any; not one

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

the class of peasants

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

plural of “regiment” — army unit smaller than a division

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

carry out

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

a male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917)

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-eight and one

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The formation of the twenty-nine new regiments which were to take part in the war had been an arduous undertaking.

during the time that

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While Boris was in exile at Karapselka the Tsar had lost two capable assistants, as well as dear friends, in Lefort and Gordon, both of whom had died during that interval of time.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading In this matter Boris was of inestimable service to him; and many a time did Peter declare that he would not for half his empire that those wolves had not run him down in the Karapselka forest and in doing so brought him back his bear-eater, for what could he have done without Boris at this time?

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Nevertheless much had been done, and the Tsar had worked as few but he could labour to make soldiers of them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had these men lived to assist him at this emergency, there is no doubt that the raw peasantry now sent up for training at Preobrajensk would have emerged from their months of drill in a higher state of efficiency than that in which they actually marched out of Moscow in August.