The knights were also far superior in arms and military science. The German fortresses were solidly built of hewn stone, while those of the natives were simply rude pits, surrounded by earth and loose stones. While they showed ample bravery, they vainly tried with their rude appliances to pull down the walls and palisades of the invaders.
A little later the "Sword Bearers" assumed the offensive and pushed farther, by a series of campaigns, into the Russian country. They defeated the Livonians and Semgalli of the Dwina, the Tehouds of the north and the Letts to the southeast. If a tribe declined baptism and submission it was delivered over to destruction by fire and sword. When it submitted, hostages were taken, fortified castles were built upon commanding places in its territory, or old fortresses were rehabilitated under German occupancy. In this manner Riga, Kircholm, Creuzburg and other strongholds were built on the Dwina, and Neuhausen, Wolmar, Wenden, Kremon, Fellion, and Weissenstein, among other important places, were established in various parts of the conquered territory.
In the North, Kolyvan, the modern Revel, was purchased from the King of Denmark to the intense outrage of the Finnish pride, because it was the site of the grave of the chief hero of their mythology. The country was divided into counties, some of which belonged to the order of the "Sword Bearers," by whom they were distributed among the knights, and the rest fell to the share of the Archbishop. The new towns received constitutions like the merchant cities of Lubeck, Bremen and Hamburg, the chief of which was Riga.
Still the invaders had troubles of their own. The Archbishop of Riga and the Grand Master of the Order often quarreled over their respective rights, and thus was laid the foundation for dissensions destined to bring about the decline of the institution.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
