Cantonists (Russian language: Кантонисты) were sons of Russian private soldiers who from 1805 were educated in special "canton schools" (Кантонистские школы) for future military service (the schools were called garrison schools in the 18th century); after 1827 the term was applied also to Jewish boys, who were drafted to military service at the age of twelve and placed for their military education in cantonist schools of distant provinces. Like other conscripts, they were forced to serve in the Russi ...

See also:

Cantonist, Cantonist - Cantonists in Prussia, Cantonist - Cantonists in Russia

Read more here: » Cantonist: Encyclopedia II - Cantonist - Cantonists in Russia