Encyclopedia of Transbaikalia. Uniform and insignia of the Transbaikal Cossack army

Of course, you can talk and talk about the Cossacks of Transbaikalia, so I will allow myself only a brief historical overview

TRANSBAIKAL COSSACK ARMY
Military Holiday - March 17, Day of Alexei the Man of God.
Seniority has been established since 1655.

The Transbaikal Cossacks trace their origins to the glorious squads of Ermak, from the Cossacks of the Siberian army. In 1638, a detachment of Siberian Cossacks of Ataman Maxim Perfilyev began the development of the Daurian lands. However, only in 1644 did the Russian “willing people” of the tsar’s service army and the archers, under the leadership of Ataman Vasily Kolesnikov, penetrate into the Trans-Baikal region.

The colonization of Transbaikalia, as well as the whole of Siberia, took place according to a certain pattern - Russian colonists and Cossacks built small fortresses - fortresses. A Cossack community developed around the fort, and relations with the local indigenous people were established. The first fort on the territory of Transbaikalia - Barguzinsky - was founded by the Cossacks of Ataman Ivan Galkin in 1648. Then colonization began more actively. Already in 1650, Erofei Khabarov’s detachment reached the confluence of the Shilka and Argun rivers and founded the Ust-Strelochny fort. From the Barguzinsky fort, the Cossacks conducted active reconnaissance of Lake Irgen and the Ingoda River.

In 1652, the Yenisei governor Afanasy Pashkov sent the first major military expedition to Transbaikalia under the leadership of centurion Pyotr Ivanovich Beketov. In two years, Beketov's Cossacks reached the mouth of the Nerch River, establishing the Irgen fort for the winter along the way. The colonization of the Ingoda River ended with the construction of the New Sovereign's winter quarters on it in the fall of 1652. Successes in the colonization of the region led to the fact that in August 1655, the royal letter from Alexei Mikhailovich ordered “Afanasy Pashkov with his son Eremey to be in the Sovereign’s service in the new Daurian land.” In 1658, the Nerchinsk Voivodeship was formed, and Afanasy Pashkov, who settled in Nerchinsk, was appointed governor there. Much later, in 1681, Ignatius Milovanov founded the Argun fort. However, only in August 1689, Fyodor Golovin managed to formalize relations between Russia and China by signing the Treaty of Nerchinsk and for the first time clearly establishing the Russian-Chinese border. In 1727, the government of Catherine the First, fulfilling the will of Peter the Great, sent an embassy to Beijing headed by Count Savva Raguzinsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. In August of the same year, on the Bure River, the count signed a new treaty with the Beijing court, the main provisions of which were later approved in Kyakhta. Thus, not only was the border established, but also foreign trade relations with the Celestial Empire were developed.

The new border required proper protection, and in 1728 Savva Raguzinsky founded 11 border guards in Transbaikalia, placing the burden of another state service on the local Cossack communities. However, only in December 1731 the Irkutsk Chancellery issued a corresponding Decree and determined the procedure for the service of Transbaikal Cossacks on the border. During this time, two more border guards were founded. Since 1752, a new turn occurred in the life of the Cossack communities in Transbaikalia - the Cossacks began to be trained in military affairs according to military regulations. In 1755, the first combat regiment of Transbaikalia Cossacks, the Yakut regiment, was formed, consisting of three battalions and a dragoon company. Subsequently, the regiment in its entirety participated in border protection. However, there were few Cossack settlers in Transbaikalia at that time, and in the early 60s of the 18th century two Tunguska five-hundred horse regiments were formed. It was the mounted Tungus, the Nerchinsk mounted Cossack team and the soldiers of the Yakut regiment that formed the basis of the border Transbaikal Cossacks.

In July 1764, the Governing Senate Russian Empire By his Decree, he decided to create four six-hundred-strong regiments from the Buryats living in the Trans-Baikal region to guard the border with Mongolia. To strengthen the border itself, the Russian authorities built a wooden fortress called Aksha. Another 8 years later, the Irkutsk governor ordered the formation of six Russian Cossack teams united into two regiments. 71 posts (8 fortresses and 63 guards) were established on the border. At the end of the century, Transbaikalia became a place of exile - Yaik Cossacks and Polish confederates were settled here. The territory occupied by the Trans-Baikal Cossacks continues to strengthen: a fortress is being founded, new Cossack villages and two border guards are being built. In August 1800, seven clans of the Selenga Buryats were granted one banner each. Further unrest among the Yaik Cossacks led to the fact that 26 families of Old Believers Cossacks were exiled to the Nerchinsky Plant in 1809. The Siberian Code of Count Speransky, published in 1822, notes the division of the Cossacks of Siberia into guard, border and village Cossacks. At the same time, the Nerchinsk and Verkhneudinsk city Cossack teams were united into the Transbaikal City Cossack Regiment

The reign of Nicholas I became an era of great changes in the life of the Cossack communities of the Trans-Baikal Territory. So in 1842, all Siberian city regiments came under the jurisdiction of the War Ministry and it was decided to draw up a new regulation on the Cossacks of Siberia. In September 1847, Major General Nikolai Nikolaevich Muravyov was appointed governor-general of Eastern Siberia. The new head of the region did not fail to express his views on the state of affairs in Transbaikalia and already in December 1849 submitted a project for the creation of the Transbaikal Cossack army to St. Petersburg for consideration. It should be noted that the new Irkutsk governor was far from the first to propose reforming the life of the Cossack communities of Transbaikalia. Thus, according to Colonel Ladyzhensky, who, returning from China in 1832, inspected the border, the management of city regiments by civilian officials was ineffective.

“The Trans-Baikal Territory is not only not at all secured from the outside, but its internal security is far from meeting the needs and type of population” - this was the colonel’s disappointing conclusion. However, the “Notes” compiled by Ladyzhensky were ignored by his superiors. In general, projects similar to Muravyov’s proposal have been put forward more than once. So in 1832, part of the Transbaikal Cossacks from the local Buryats submitted a petition to the Emperor to transfer them to the yasak class. Therefore, it was considered expedient for the Trans-Baikal Territory to abolish the “foreign” regiments and strengthen Russian colonization. However, as a result, Muravyov’s point of view won and by a decree of March 17, 1851, Emperor Nicholas I formed the Transbaikal Cossack Army (ZKV) consisting of: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Russian regiments, 4th Tunguska regiment and 5th and the 6th Buryat regiments. The army was controlled and served on the basis set out in a special Regulation. According to the census at that time, there were 52,350 male souls in the ZKV. The city of Chita was appointed as the main headquarters of the Army. The villages and settlements were united into eight districts: Chita, Akmola, Barguzinsky, Verkhe-Udinsky, Nerchinsky, Nerchinsko-Zavodskoy, Selenginsky and Troitsko-Savsky.

In the same year, the Regulations on the foot battalions of the Transbaikal Cossack Army, consisting of 12 battalions, were approved, and Chita was elevated to the rank of a regional city of the established Transbaikal region. Already on October 23, 1751, the first governor of the Transbaikal region, Major General Pavel Ivanovich Zapolsky, took office. He also became the first ataman of the Transbaikal Cossack army. The following year, four Russian cavalry regiments and 12 foot battalions were awarded the highest banners. In addition to serving in the Chinese border guard regiments, the population of the Trans-Baikal region was engaged in hunting, fishing, cattle breeding and arable farming, which, however, could not achieve high level due to unfavorable climatic conditions. Frost in some areas reached 50 Celsius, and hurricane winds in winter often blew away not only snow, but also the top cover of the soil. Therefore, only spring grains with low yields were sown.

In May 1854, the first “rafting” of Transbaikal Cossacks to the Amur region was carried out under the leadership of N.N. Muravyov with the aim of developing the local territory. The next year, three more “raftings” along the Amur were made from Sretensk: 113 barges and 2,500 troops. During the Crimean War, the Cossacks of the Transbaikal Army in October 1855 successfully repelled the Anglo-French landing in the Gulf of Castries. At the same time, the Army was enlarged by enrolling lower ranks on indefinite leave and soldiers' widows with their families.

In the winter of 1855, Colonel Mikhail Semenovich Korsakov was appointed the new governor of the Trans-Baikal region and ataman of the ZKV, and for the heroism shown in the de-Kastri region, the Cossack of the village of Purinsky, Mankechurskaya village, Pyotr Taskin, became the first Knight of St. George in the ZKV. In the summer of 1857, a horse artillery brigade consisting of two batteries was established under the Russian Cossack regiments. From the spring of next year, vicious (penalty) lower army ranks began to be included in the Transbaikal army. In December 1858, the Amur Cossack Army was created from the Cossack communities on the Amur River.

In the winter of 1871, stanitsa self-government was introduced in the Transbaikal Cossack Army. Such a late return to Cossack democracy was explained primarily by the fact that the army was formed by decision of the tsarist administration and primarily represented special military settlements of Russians and foreigners. The following year, the Cossack district troops were consolidated into three military departments, and then a new Regulation on the service of Transbaikal residents was approved. According to it, the Army in wartime put 6 cavalry regiments, 9 foot battalions and 2 batteries of horse artillery under arms. In peacetime, the service of the Troops was limited to the formation of two educational units(a cavalry division and a foot battalion) and the maintenance of a wartime artillery park. In 1878, in connection with the approval of the Charter on conscription The composition of the Transbaikal Cossack army was changed and a new service regulation was introduced. Ten years later, the division of the Troops into foot and horse sections was abolished.

In December 1890, the highest order of the Transbaikal Army established the day of the military holiday - March 17. In the summer of 1891, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich visited the Transbaikal region while passing from the Far East. The following year, a uniform uniform was introduced for all Cossack troops in Russia. In Transbaikalia, yellow stripes and cap bands were introduced. In April 1895, all ZKV combat units were mobilized in connection with Japanese aggression in China and Korea. However, already in May relations with Japan were settled, which led to the demobilization of preferential units of the Army. In the same year, the Buryat Cossack settlements finally gained stanitsa self-government. During the period 1896 - 1898. The reorganization of the life of the Trans-Baikal army was in full swing: the foot battalions were transformed into cavalry regiments, all units of the first stage were transformed into three cavalry regiments - the 1st Nerchinsky, 1st Verkhneudinsky and 1st Chita regiments of the ZKV. At the same time, the fourth military department of the Army was created, and the post of ataman was combined with the post of military governor.

On August 12, 1899, the Army received its Orthodox shrine - a military foundation was laid Cathedral Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky. At the end of the 19th century, the Army established one scholarship for its student in Military Medical Academy, 2 scholarships at the Irkutsk Technical School and 4 scholarships at the Chita Gymnasium. The beginning of the new century was marked by the build-up of the military power of the Transbaikal Cossack army. From the 7, 8 and 9 hundreds of the Nerchinsky regiment and three newly formed hundreds, a first-priority regiment was formed, called the 1st Argun Regiment of the ZKV, and then the 2nd Chita Regiment and the 4th Transbaikal Cossack Battery were formed. On June 11, 1900, the mobilization of the entire Transbaikal army was announced. Cossack units from Transbaikalia were transferred to China and for about a year participated in the suppression of the “Boxer Rebellion.” February 19, 1903 For the exploits shown during the campaign in China in 1900-1901, the Transbaikalian Cossack Army was awarded a simple military banner, and individual hundreds of batteries and battalions of Transbaikalians received insignia on their headdresses.

In the period up to the Russian-Japanese War, the Transbaikal Cossack units again underwent reorganization. The 2nd Nerchinsky and 2nd Argun Cossack regiments were formed. The 1st Verkhneudinsky, 1st Chitinsky and the first Cossack battery were consolidated into the Separate Transbaikal Cossack Brigade, and all Cossack regiments of the army with the second numbers, the 3rd and 4th batteries - into the Transbaikal Cossack division. In general, at the beginning of the century, the military class consisted of 91 thousand male souls and 89 thousand female souls. Of these, 25 thousand people were Buddhists by religion, and the rest were Christians. By the way, Cossacks of the Buddhist faith who were on active service were exempted from official duties on their religious holidays. In 1904, the army was granted the ataman insect.

With the beginning of the Russian-Japanese military conflict, the Transbaikal region was placed under martial law, and the Cossacks fought valiantly as part of the Russian armies in Manchuria. However, the tsarist government sought to use the Cossacks not only as a military force, but also as a police force. So the Cossacks of General P.K. Rennenkampf were sent in January 1905 from Harbin to revolutionary Chita to liquidate the “Chita Republic”. At the end of the war, the merits of many units of the Army were appreciated by Russia and the monarch - many regiments and batteries were awarded headdresses and St. George's banners.

In 1906, the Transbaikal Cossack Army suffered new organizational changes. The first Chita, Verkhneudinsky, Nerchinsky and Argun regiments were transferred to peacetime staff, and the second Chita, Verkhneudinsky, Nerchinsky and Argun regiments were completely disbanded. The Transbaikal Cossack Army became part of the Irkutsk Military District and was under the authority of the appointed ataman of the ZKV, who was also the commander of the troops of the Irkutsk Military District. Service was established in the Transbaikal Fifty Guards as part of the 4th (consolidated) hundred of the Life Guards Consolidated Cossack Regiment. In 1907, for the Russian-Japanese company, some units of the Army were awarded St. George's silver trumpets, and in 1908, as a reward for “faithful and zealous service” both in war and in peacetime, the lower ranks of combat units were highly awarded single white buttonholes on collars and cuffs of uniforms. In 1909, the Cossack population of the Transbaikal region was exempted from paying zemstvo taxes. In the fall of 1913, the Temporary Regulations on the management of military forests, which constituted one of the main resources of the region, were approved. However, the First World War intervened in the peaceful, measured course of life of the Transbaikal Cossacks.

By the beginning of 1914, the male Cossack population was 132,005 people, ready for service - 35,204. In active military service there were: generals, staff and chief officers - 253, Cossacks - 11,411, a total of 11,664 people, or 9.5% of the male population of the military class. This amounted to three horse regiments, six foot battalions and 5 six-gun batteries. With the announcement of mobilization, according to the mobilization schedule of 1910, in the ZKV units there were: generals, headquarters and chief officers - 256, Cossacks - 11,667 and horses - 12,465. In 1915, the 2nd Chita, 2nd Argun, 2nd Nerchinsky and 3rd Verkhneudinsky regiments, 2nd and 4th Transbaikal Cossack artillery batteries took part in the battles on the Caucasian front.
The 1st Chita, 1st Nerchinsky, 1st and 2nd Verkhneudinsky and 1st Argun regiments, 1st and 3rd Transbaikal Cossack artillery batteries took part in the battles on the Western Front. In 1916, it was these Transbaikal units that took part in the famous Brusilovsky breakthrough, and the 1st Chita Regiment came under a German gas attack on the Stokhod River.

The turbulent year of 1917 can be viewed in different ways. The last governor of the Trans-Baikal region and ataman of the Troops, appointed by the imperial authorities, Lieutenant General Vladimir Andreevich Mustafin, did not have time to take office. At the front after February Revolution The 1st Transbaikal Cossack Division swore allegiance to the Provisional Government. For the first time in the history of the army’s existence, the military holiday was held without a parade.

In March, the All-Cossack Congress took place in Petrograd, at which Colonel I.F. participated from the Transbaikal Cossacks. Shilnikov and Cossack of the 1st Verkhneudinsk Regiment Samoilov. The creation of the “Union of Cossack Troops” was proclaimed. The congress declared support for the Provisional Government and the inviolability of the Cossack way of life. On March 26, the Cossack Union was formed in Chita. On April 16, the First Regional Cossack Congress began in Chita, deciding to liquidate the Cossack class. The chairman of the congress was Social Democrat A.A. Voiloshnikov. However, already on April 28, a telegram arrived from the Cossacks of the 1st Chita Regiment about a decisive protest against the abolition of the Cossacks.

By the way, it was the 1st Chita Regiment that refused to carry out the order to surrender the royal banners and remove the monograms. On August 18, the Second Regional Cossack Congress began in Chita, restoring the Transbaikal Cossack Army. By the way, a Buryat department was formed for the first time within the Army. Captain G.M. took part in the work of the congress. Semenov tried to justify the right of the Cossacks to be called a people. The congress elected Colonel Vasily Vasilyevich Zimin as the first elected ataman. In November, elections to the Constituent Assembly of Russia were held in the Trans-Baikal region. The Cossack list received 14.3% of the votes (3rd place). Around this time, Captain Semyonov began forming the Mongol-Buryat regiment, which was then deployed to the OMO - Special Manchurian Detachment. And the end of the turbulent revolutionary year passed in clashes between Semenov’s units and the revolutionary garrisons of the Trans-Baikal region. In December, the 1st Transbaikal Cossack Division, after the conclusion of the Brest-Litovsk Armistice, went to Transbaikalia, which immediately changed the overall balance of power.

In February 1918, the pro-Bolshevik 2nd Chita Regiment arrived in Chita and, together with the Red Guards, occupied all strategic objects. Chitinsky People's Council was dissolved. The Chita Executive Committee announced the establishment in Chita and the region Soviet power. Power was temporarily transferred to the Committee Soviet organizations. To fight Semyonov, the Transbaikal Front was formed. In March 1917, the third regional Cossack congress again liquidated the Transbaikal Cossack army. In May, Centrosibirsk announced G.M. Semenov is outlawed. By June, parts of the OMO were driven out to Manchuria, but already on August 24 in Chita, the mobilized Cossacks of the Titov village rebelled against Soviet power, and two days later, the Cossacks rebelled against Soviet power, under the command of Yesaul E.L., entered the capital of the Transbaikal region. Trukhina. At the end of August, at Olovyannaya station, units of the OMO and the Japanese army met with the troops of the Provisional Siberian Government and the Czechoslovak Corps.

Commander of the Central Siberian Corps, Lieutenant General A.N. Pepelyaev overturned the decision of the Third Regional Cossack Congress and restored the Transbaikal Cossack army. V.V. Zimin again took up the post of Military Ataman. After Semenov’s troops entered Chita, he was declared the Marching Ataman of the Troops. On the same days, the Military Board was formed and atamans of four departments were appointed. On the basis of OMO units, the first Transbaikal Cossack division and the Native Corps of Baron Ungern were formed. All military units in Transbaikalia, by decision of Admiral Kolchak, were included in the fifth Amur Corps, headed by G. M. Semenov, who was immediately promoted to lieutenant general.

However, already at the beginning of 1919, a conflict flared up between Kolchak and Semenov - the admiral even accused Grigory Mikhailovich of treason. At the same time, a partisan movement emerged and expanded in Transbaikalia. In these difficult conditions it was necessary to act decisively, but at the same time wisely. Therefore, on May 1, 1919, the Supreme Ruler of Russia A.V. Kolchak gave a Certificate to the Cossack troops with a guarantee of the Cossack way of life, lands, etc. The Cossacks in Siberia were the core of Russian society and the admiral could not ignore the mood of the Cossack communities. However, events in Transbaikalia continued to develop rapidly. On May 16, 1919, Semenov declared Transbaikalia a theater of military operations. Four new Cossack regiments were formed (5th – 8th), which were consolidated into the second Transbaikal Cossack division under Major General Shemelin.

Under these conditions, on May 20 in Chita, Military Ataman V.V. Zimin opened the Third Great Circle of ZKV. The circle, supporting the white regime, condemned repression and violations of the law. On May 25, 1919, Kolchak officially dropped all charges against the Campaign Ataman Semenov and appointed him commander of the 6th East Siberian Corps, thereby recognizing the authority of Grigory Mikhailovich in the region. And already on June 9, Semenov was elected Troop Ataman of the ZKV. The situation in the region was heating up: regular units (1st and 2nd Transbaikal Cossack Regiments) began to defect to the partisans. Under these conditions, on October 3, 1919, the All-Cossack Congress of Orenburg, Transbaikal, Siberian, Yenisei, Bashkir and Semirechensk Cossacks opened in Chita, and at the end of October the publication of the newspaper “Cossack Echo” began in Chita. However, the Cossacks of Transbaikalia were not allowed to build a peaceful life and the number of Cossack regiments was increased to 14, due to the formation of hundreds of self-guard Cossack villages of the Transbaikal region into regiments. Already in the fall of 1919, Admiral Kolchak announced the formation of the Chita Military District, then renamed Transbaikal.

Finally, on January 4, 1920, the Supreme Ruler of Russia A.V. Kolchak signed the Decree on the transfer of G.M. Semenov of full civil and military power on the territory of the Far Eastern Outskirts. At the beginning of February, General Kappel’s units first made their way into Transbaikalia, followed by the Transbaikal group of Soviet troops, which soon occupied Verkhneudinsk. Almost simultaneously, the Fourth Cossack Circle took place in Chita and the congress of workers of the Baikal region in Verkhneudinsk. The influence of the Military Ataman and the ZKV board was rapidly declining.

In Verkhneudinsk, a decision was made to create the Far Eastern Republic (FER). The government of the Far Eastern Republic was headed by the communist Alexander Mikhailovich Krasnoshchekov, and already on April 10, the troops of the People's Revolutionary Army (NRA) of the Far Eastern Republic launched an offensive on Chita. Nevertheless, the second front-line congress of partisans did not recognize the Far Eastern Republic. But it was at this moment that the main ally of Ataman Semenov, the Japanese Emperor, began negotiations with the Krasnoshchekov government. Semenov was faced with the need for some democratic reforms, and at the beginning of June 1920, the Regional District opened in Chita People's Assembly- Parliament of the Far East. By mid-July, the Japanese began withdrawing their troops from Russian territory. In such a situation, the fate of the White Cause is Far East was a foregone conclusion. Already on November 21, 1920, units of Ataman G.M. Semenov went to Chinese territory. Even earlier, Baron Ungern with native units left for the territory of Mongolia.
On April 26, 1921, the government of the Far Eastern Republic was elected. The Constitution of the Far Eastern Republic abolished the division into estates. At this point, the Transbaikal Cossacks ceased to exist on the territory of Transbaikalia. In the period 1922-1945 on the territory of Northern Manchuria by Ataman G.M. Semenov organized Cossack villages, united into 19 villages with traditional Cossack self-government and life. The “Union of Cossacks in the Far East” was formed under the command of Lieutenant General of the ZKV Alexei Proklovich Baksheev.
In November 1922, in honor of the fifth anniversary of Soviet power, an amnesty was declared and some Cossacks from Manchuria returned to Transbaikalia. From this time on, mutual raids by the Red partisans and Semyonovites began, often accompanied by extreme cruelty. So on September 1, 1929, a Soviet expeditionary force under the command of Moses Zhuch shot the entire male population (14 years and older) of the village of Tynykha, Naidzhin-Bulak village in Manchuria (76 people died). Began Soviet period Russian history is a period of open genocide against its own people. Carrying out collectivization in Transbaikalia led to uprisings and a mass exodus of Cossacks to Manchuria. In response, the Soviet Power began to carry out mass repressions and deportation of Cossacks to the taiga wilds of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the steppes of Kazakhstan. Moreover, Moloch of repressions did not make any special distinctions - both former Semyonovites and former Red partisans suffered equally.
In August 1945, a new round in the history of the Transbaikal Cossacks began. Soviet troops occupied Northern Manchuria and abolished Cossack self-government and division into villages. The village atamans and many of the Cossacks found themselves prisoners of the Gulag. August 30, 1946 In Moscow, Lieutenant General and Military Ataman of the ZKV G.M. Semenov was executed. In January 1949, the deportation of Russian emigration from Shanghai was carried out. Many of the Cossacks settled in the USA and Australia. Villages and communities still exist there Transbaikal Cossacks.

In 1990, after the Union of Cossacks was formed in Moscow, the revival of traditional Cossack troops began throughout the country. On November 16-17, the Great Restorative Circle of ZKV took place in Chita. The circle was opened by the ataman of the ZKV, Gennady Viktorovich Kochetov. The circle revived the Transbaikal Cossack army, approved a program of action and elected G.V. as ataman of the ZKV. Kochetova. March 17, 1991 for the first time in Soviet time In Chita, on the Day of Alexei the Man of God, the ZKV Military Festival was held.
In August 1991, a delegation of ZKV Cossacks, at the request of Patriarch of All Rus' Alexy II, took part in the honorary guard during the transfer of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Then the formation of the Cossacks began in Transbaikalia. But that's a completely different story.

Transbaikal Cossacks or Transbaikal Cossack Army are an ethnic group of Russians in Transbaikalia. Seniority since August 20, 1655. Military headquarters - in the cityRead. Military holiday, military circle- March 17, the day of St. Alexis the man of God.

Colors and banners of the Transbaikal Cossack Army

Transbaikal Cossacks traditionally wore yellow stripes, shoulder straps and bands, and dark green uniforms.

The Cossack banner was a cloth of military colors with the image of the face of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The banner bore the inscription: “God is with us.”

History of the Transbaikal Cossack Army

The backbone of the Transbaikal Cossacks were the Don Cossacks, who appeared in Transbaikalia around 1639. In 1654, the Cossacks of Peter Beketov founded Nerchinsk. Based on the model of the Cossack army, the Buryats (4 regiments) and Tungus (500 people = 1 regiment) were organized, which later merged with the Cossacks. Distinctive feature Transbaikal Cossacks was the fact that, along with Orthodoxy, some of them (mostly of origin) professed Lamaism

The Transbaikal Cossack Army was formed on March 17, 1851 by order of Emperor Nicholas I, at the suggestion of the Governor General N. N. Muravyov-Amursky, in the territory of Transbaikalia from part of the Siberian Cossacks, Buryats, Evenk military formations and the peasant population of some areas consisting of 3 cavalry regiments and 3 foot brigades ( 1st, 2nd, 3rd Russian regiments, 4th Tungus (Evenki) regiment and 5th and 6th Buryat regiments). Carried out border guards with China and internal service.

In 1854, Transbaikal Cossacks rafted down the Amur River and established border posts along the border with China. 1858 from Transbaikal was allocated Amur Cossack Army.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Transbaikal Cossacks fielded 1 guards fifty, 4 cavalry regiments and 2 batteries in peacetime; to the First world war They deployed 1 guards fifty, 9 cavalry regiments, 4 batteries and 3 spare hundreds.

In 1916, the Cossack population of the Transbaikal Cossack Army was 265 thousand people, 14.5 thousand were in military service. Participated in the suppression of the Yihetuan uprising of 1899-1901, in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and the First World War.

During the Civil War of 1918-20, part of the Cossacks actively fought against the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Ataman G.M. Semenov and Baron Ungern, some Cossacks supported the Reds.

In 1920, the Transbaikal Cossack Army, like other Cossack troops in the USSR, was liquidated Soviet power. After the defeat of Semenov, approximately 15% of the Cossacks, together with their families, went to Manchuria, where they settled, creating their own villages (Trekhrechye). In China they initially disturbed with raids Soviet border, and then closed themselves off and lived their own way of life until 1945 (the offensive Soviet army). Then some of them emigrated to Australia (Queensland). Some in the 1960s. returned to the USSR and were settled in Kazakhstan. Descendants of mixed marriages remained in China.

Modernity

During the era of Soviet perestroika, the revival of the Transbaikal Cossacks began. In 1990, the Great Cossack Circle was convened in Moscow, at which, among others, a decision was made to recreate the Transbaikal Cossack Army. In 1991, the song and dance ensemble "Transbaikal Cossacks" was formed. In 2010, Sergei Bobrov was elected ataman of the Transbaikal Cossack Army in Chita. On March 30, 2011, Transbaikal Cossacks celebrated the 160th anniversary of their army.

Structure Transbaikal Cossack Army

At the head of the Transbaikal Cossack army was an ataman, subordinate to the Governor-General of Siberia. Ataman combined the rights of a division chief and a governor. Under him, two committees were established: military duty (for conducting military affairs) and military administration (for conducting economic affairs). The highest form of organization of the Cossacks was a brigade (there were 6 brigades in total), which was divided into regiments (500-600 fighters), and those into hundreds.

The regiments were named after the central settlement: Argunsky, Verkhneudinsky, Chitinsky, Nerchinsky.

Territorial location

1st Division

1. Atamano-Nikolaevskaya (Kharatsayskaya) village,
2. Zhelturinskaya village,
3. Kudarinskaya village,
4. Menzinskaya village,
5. Murochinskaya village,
6. Ust Urlukskaya village,
7. Tsagan Usunskaya village,
8. Tsakirskaya village,
9. Sharagolskaya village,
10. Arakiret village,
11. Borgoyskaya village,
12. Verkhneudinskaya village,
13. Gygetuiskaya village,
14. Selenginskaya village,
15. Haryasskaya village,
16. Yangazhinskaya village.

2nd Division

1. Akshinskaya village,
2. Bukukunskaya village,
3. Verkhneulkhunskaya village,
4. Duroevskaya village,
5. Durulguevskaya village,
6. Zorgolskaya village,
7. Mangut village,
8. Mogoytuevskaya village,
9. Tsagan-Oluevskaya village,
10. Chindantskaya 2nd village,
11. Chindant-Grodskovskaya village,
12. Ulyatuevskaya village,
13. Byrkinskaya village,
14. Doninskaya village,
15. Kalginskaya village,
16. Mankechurskaya village.

3rd Division

1. Botovskaya village
2. Zhitkinskaya village
3. Ildikanskaya village
4. Kurlychenskaya village
5. Kulakovskaya village
6. Kuengskaya village
7. Kularskaya village
8. Lomovskaya village
9. Mitrofanovskaya village - (Shilka)
10. Novotroitskaya village
11. Sretenskaya Stanitsa
12. Torginskaya village
13. Ust-Telenguiskaya village
14. Undinskaya village
15. Kaidalovskaya village
16. Makkoveevskaya village
17. Razmakhninskaya village
18. Titovskaya Stanitsa

TRANSBAIKAL COSSACK ARMY (ZKV) (1851-1918), an irregular military formation formed with the aim of strengthening the military potential of Russia, annexing territories located along the Amur and in Primorye on the basis of a project developed by the East Siberian. governor general N.N. Muravyov-Amursky. Approved by the Regulations on the ZKV, signed by Tsar Nicholas I on March 17, 1851. By the time of the formation of the ZKV, the Cossacks of Zab. were part of the Zab. city ​​regiment, villages of Verkhneudinsky and Nerchinsky districts, Tsurukhaituyevsky and Kharatsaysky border departments, Tungussky and Bur. Cossack regiments. From these units a cavalry army was formed: 3 cavalry brigades (2 regiments each). Later, on the basis of a government order on the conversion of peasants Nerchinsk factories In the Cossacks and the formation of the foot army, 3 foot brigades (4 battalions each) were created.

The foot army included peasants from Verkhneudinsk district. And Nerchinsky mountain district (mountain factories), village and city and partly border Cossacks. 2 horse artillery batteries consisting of 12 guns were formed. In the summer of 1851, the ZKV consisted of 48,169 Cossacks, of which 20,410 were mounted and 27,759 were foot (after the reforms of 1897-1906, foot battalions were disbanded). Later, the composition of the ZKV increased: in the cavalry army - 21 thousand people, on foot - more than 30 thousand. The first cavalry brigade consisted of Russians. Cossacks who lived along the Selenga border from the Klyuchevsky guard to the Akshinsky fortress. The 1st and 2nd cavalry regiments were based here. The brigade headquarters was located in the village of Kudarinskaya. From Russian Cossacks who lived on the Aksha border along the river. Onon, Arguni, Shilka from Aksha to the village of Gorbichenskaya, consisted of the 2nd cavalry brigade. The 3rd and 4th cavalry regiments were located in this area. The brigade headquarters was located in the village of Novotsurukhaituyevskaya. Buryat Cossacks who lived behind the border line along the river. Selenge, Chikoyu, Khilku and others made up the 3rd cavalry brigade. The headquarters was in Selenginsk. Three foot brigades consisted of former mining peasants who lived between Argun, Shilka and the lower reaches of the Onon. Headquarters of the 1st Foot Brigade - Olochinskaya village; headquarters of the 2nd foot brigade - village. Shelopuginskoe; headquarters of the 3rd foot brigade - village. Byankinskoe. In Russian There were from 5 to 6 thousand Cossacks in the mounted brigades, in the Bur. cavalry - 10 thousand, in foot brigades - 10 thousand people. The affairs of the ZKV were in charge of a special Cossack department under the Chief. ex. East Sib. in Irkutsk. The general management belonged to the East Sib. the governor general, reporting to the minister of war. In connection with the formation of the ZKV on July 11, 1851, the Transbaikal region was established with its center in Chita.

The duties of the assigned (appointed by the tsar) ataman of the ZKV were assigned to the military governor. From October 23, 1851, Major General P.I. Zapolsky began to carry them out. In the summer of 1852, the 1st review of the ZKV took place, which demonstrated success in its formation. On Dec. In 1852, with a special letter signed by Nicholas I, 4 cavalry regiments and 12 foot battalions of the ZKV were awarded banners. In 1872, the ZKV was divided territorially into 3 military departments, and in 1898 the 4th was created. In 1916, there were 516 military settlements, united into 63 villages. The first military department (center Troitskosavsk) exhibited the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Verkhneudinsk cavalry regiments; 2nd military department (center of Chita) - 1st and 2nd Chit. shelves; 3rd military department (center Nerchinsk) - 1st and 2nd Nerchinsk regiments; 4th military department (center of the village of Nerchinsky Plant) - 1st and 2nd Argun regiments. Military departments were also managed by atamans, who were appointed by the appointed ataman. Stanitsa and villages were governed by stanitsa and village atamans, respectively, elected by the residents of these settlements with their subsequent approval by atamans of military departments. The ZKV had its own legal proceedings, healthcare, education, trade, etc. systems, as well as law enforcement structures that reported directly to the ataman of the ZKV.

Cossacks enlisted in the ZKV, as before, guarded the borders with China and Mongolia; carried out internal service: escorted convict parties, guarded state and military facilities, and performed other police functions; accompanied diplomatic, trade, scientific and other missions and expeditions abroad - ZKV participated in expeditions of scientists N.M. Przhevalsky, P.K. Kozlova, P.A. Kropotkin, G.N. Potanin and others; guarded by Russians consul in Beijing, Maimachen and Urga. ZKV Cossacks participated in the East. (Crimean) war 1853-56, Russian-Turkish war 1877-78, in the war with China 1900-01 (see Chinese campaign), Russian-Japanese. the war of 1904-05 and the 1st World War of 1914-18. In 1917, there were approx. 100 full St. George Knights from among the rank and file and approx. 50 officers awarded the Order of St. George and the Golden Arms of St. George - the most honorable military awards in Russia. OK. 10 thousand rubles Cossacks had St. George medals and crosses different degrees. In 1903, the ZKV received a military banner. First Cheat. and the 1st Verkhneudinsk regiment received St. George's banners with the inscription "For distinction in the war with Japan in 1904 and 1905." For military distinctions in China. campaign and Russian-Japanese. during the war, individual units of the ZKV received insignia on their headdresses: “For distinction against the Chinese in 1900” - the 4th and 6th foot battalions, the 4th and 5th hundreds of the 1st Verkhneudinsk regiment, the 2nd Zab. Cossack battery; “For distinction in the North. Manchuria in 1900" - 3rd Verkhneudinsk Regiment; “For Beitsang and Beijing in 1900” - 3rd hundred of the 1st Chit. regiment, “For the campaign in Korea in 1904 and 1905” - 1st Nerchinsk Regiment; “For distinction in the war with Japan in 1904 and 1905” - 1st, 3rd and 4th Zab. batteries, 2nd Verkhneudinsk, 2nd Chit., 1st and 2nd Argun regiments. St. George's silver trumpets were awarded to the 1st and 2nd hundreds of the 1st Nerchinsky Regiment - 4 with the inscription “For Eyur, Khingan and Qiqihar in 1900”; 1st, 2nd, 4th hundreds of the 1st Argun Regiment - 6 “For distinction in the North. Manchuria"; 6th hundred of the 1st Verkhneudinsk regiment - 2 “For Tianjin and Beijing in 1900”; 1st Zab. Cossack battery - 2 “For Shahe and Mukden in 1900”; 2nd Zab. battery - 2 “For the Beydalinsky pass from February 16 to 23. 1905"; 4th hundred of the 1st Verkhneudinsk regiment - 2 “For Port Arthur in 1904.”

Unequal socio-economic living conditions, the hardships of Cossack service incommensurate with the benefits provided, as well as the active work of political parties, primarily the Bolsheviks, contributed to the fact that part of the Cossack army not only suppressed the roar. movement 1905-07, some took part in it. This led to government crackdowns. After Feb. In 1917, a split occurred in the ZKV. Some of the Cossacks of the 3rd and 4th military departments, descendants of mining peasants, demanded the liquidation of the ZKV and the Cossacks as a class. The Cossacks of the 1st and 2nd military departments, the so-called “guards,” supported the marching ataman of the ZKV squadron, G.M. Semenov. Semenov on the 2nd Military Circle in August. 1917 advocated the preservation of the ZKV and subsequently formed from volunteers Special Manchu Unit to fight the Sov. ow. After the establishment of the Sov. ow. in Chita with the help of Cossack front-line soldiers of the 2nd Chita. regiment in March 1918 ZKV as state. the structure of the previous system was eliminated. Restored in full after the fall of the Soviet Union. ow. on Sept. 1918. In Aug. 1917 for the first time in the history of the ZKV elected a military chieftain, Colonel V. became the Crimea. Zimin, in June 1919 he was replaced by G. M. Semenov. In Oct. 1920, after the final establishment of the Soviet Union. ow. in Zab., ZKV was liquidated for the second time. Those who went into exile. The Cossacks, under the leadership of Semenov, self-organized along territorial lines. They formed 20 villages in Inner Mongolia, Manchuria and along the Chinese Eastern Railway.

The structure of the ZKV was recreated with an elected military ataman, board, honorary judges, etc. Organized educational establishments, hospitals and other institutions. In this state, the ZKV existed until the entry of the Kr. Armies in the North China in Aug. 1945 and the Sov was liquidated. ow. The Cossacks were mostly repressed under the pretext of retaliation for cooperation with Japan and “treason to the Motherland.” With rare exceptions, the ZKV Cossacks in Manchuria during the Second World War for the most part took a patriotic position. So, formed by the Japanese from young men. Cossack emigrants units in Aug. 1945 refused to engage in battle with the Red Army. For this they were partially destroyed and partially disbanded by the Japanese. Some part of the waste. Cossacks, avoiding the owls. and Japanese repressions, emigrated to third countries, a small number returned to the USSR in the 1960s, mainly to the virgin regions of Kazakhstan. On November 16, 1991, the military founding circle marked the beginning of the formation of Cossack communities in the traditional territories of the ZKV. The public organization “Transbaikal Cossack Army” was created. The first ataman of the ZKV ( public organization) Lieutenant Colonel G. V. was elected. Kochetov, in 1993 - Lieutenant Colonel A.V. Bogdanov (re-elected in 1997 and 2000). Since 1993, issues of legal, personnel, economic and economic development of the department have begun to be resolved. Cossacks. They began to work out various shapes interaction with the Siberian Military District (ZabVO) (trainings and rallies with Cossacks, training shooting, recruiting military units Cossacks, etc.). In the new village. Cossack settlers from Kazakhstan are located on the border of Senkina Pad. In 1997, a presidential decree “On approval of the ZKV Charter” was issued, which made it possible to intensify work on the entry of the specified company into the state system. devices, and zab. Cossacks - into the structure of the civil service on a professional basis. On November 1, 2000, the draft designs of the military coat of arms, breastplate and banner were approved (see. Banners of the Transbaikal Cossack Army). They preserve the historical symbolism of the zab. Cossacks and take it into account current state, as well as new heraldic requirements.

Source: RGVIA, f. 2007; GACHO, f. thirty.

Lit.: Cossack troops: Directory / Ed. V. K. Schenk. - St. Petersburg, 1912; Vasiliev A. P. Zab. Cossacks Historical sketch. - Chita, 1916; Smirnov N. N. A word about zab. Cossacks: East. essay-chronicle. - Volgograd, 1994; Zab. Cossacks: history, traditions, development prospects: Materials of the regional scientific-practical conference. - Chita, 2000.

Transbaikal Cossacks were the stronghold of Russian statehood on the farthest borders of our Motherland. Unprecedented courage, determination and training made them a formidable force capable of resisting the best enemy units.

The first forts

The Transbaikal Cossacks trace their history back to the 40s of the 17th century, when the first Don and Siberian Cossacks appeared in Transbaikalia. Ownership of territories in the area of ​​Lake Baikal opened up new opportunities for the Russian state - control of borders with its eastern neighbors, development of silver mines, the wealth of which has long been legendary, as well as control local residents- Tungus and Buryats. As before, in the development of new lands main role Cossacks played.

Siberia, Orenburg, and the Urals were annexed to To the Russian state by the hands of the Cossacks. The first forts along the Lena and Angara rivers were founded by the Cossacks of Ataman M. Perfilyev and P. Beketov. By the way, among the first Cossack explorers was the famous traveler and navigator Semyon Dezhnev.

Cossack army

For the first time, the Cossacks reached Lake Baikal under the leadership of Kurbat Ivanov. From this time on, large-scale settlement of Transbaikalia by Cossacks began, establishing friendly ties with the natives and including them in the new army. In 1649, the campaign of Erofei Khabarov was marked by the annexation of the Amur region to Russia, and in 1653, the Cossack Pyotr Beketov built the Chita fort, which in the future would become the capital of the Transbaikal Cossack army. This is how the territory of Russia multiplied. Further advance of the Cossack troops to the east required the creation of a military stronghold on Lake Baikal. For this purpose, Cossack regiments were organized in forts and towns, and in the second half of the 18th century a “border Cossack army” was formed.

To strengthen the army in 1775, regiments of Buryats were created. However, the absence of an official border with Mongolia and difficult relations with Manchuria indicated that there should be a full-fledged Cossack army in Transbaikalia. I must say to early XIX century, a line of Cossack forts was built on the eastern borders, and at the forefront there were “watchmen” - observation towers, where 4-6 Cossacks served around the clock.

For reconnaissance, each border city sent one or two villages of 25 to 100 people to the steppe. Thus, the Cossack forces created a mobile border line that could notify the enemy’s approach, but also independently repulse the enemy. But there were not enough Cossack villages for the entire border line. That's why Russian government is taking measures to resettle Cossacks and other “walking” people from nearby cities to the border service. Since then, the number of Cossacks in Transbaikalia has increased sharply. Officially, the Transbaikal Cossack Army was formed on March 17, 1851.

The project for creating an army was sent to the Minister of War and the sovereign by Governor-General N.N. Muravyov, who was actively working to create a strong army on the outskirts of the vast empire. The basis of the army included Siberian and Don Cossacks, Buryat-Tungus formations and the peasant population of Transbaikalia. Thanks to Muravyov’s activities in Transbaikalia, the number of troops reached 18 thousand Cossacks. Each of them began service at 17 years old and retired at 58 years old.

Guardians of the Border

The whole life of the Transbaikal Cossack was connected with the border. Here he lived, raised children, served, guarded, fought and died. Only in 1866, the highest imperial decree established the period of active military service at 22 years. The internal administration of the army copied the statute on military service of the Don Army region. Abaykal Cossacks took part in all military conflicts in the East of Russia: they reached Beijing in the Chinese Campaign, fought bravely at Mukden and Port Arthur in the Russian-Japanese War, World War I and many others. Cossacks in dark green uniforms and yellow stripes became an example of courage; even Japanese samurai were afraid of them, who did not dare to attack a detachment of Cossacks without a significant advantage in the number of fighters. By 1917, the Transbaikal Cossack army included more than 260 thousand people, 12 villages. 69 farms and 15 settlements. However, in Civil War Transbaikal residents resolutely opposed Soviet power, and in the 1920s emigrated to China, where they formed one of the largest colonies in Harbin.

Several years ago, in Chita, the capital of the Transbaikal Cossack Army, a monument to the city’s founder, Cossack Pyotr Beketov, was unveiled. This is how history is restored big country, which is associated with the names of ordinary Cossacks.

Views: 751

Settlement of Transbaikalia

At the very end of the 30s of the 17th century, the first settlers reached the distant Transbaikal lands. These were Yenisei and other Siberian Cossacks. They explored routes from the Cis-Baikal region to the banks of the Amur, looked for silver mines, and also established contacts with local aborigines. Therefore, winter huts and forts gradually began to appear in that territory.

Transbaikal Cossacks

One of the main pioneers was Ataman Pyotr Ivanovich Beketov. It was he who founded Yakutsk, Nerchinsk and Chita. By and large, Beketov continued the work begun by Enalei Bakhteyarov, Vasily Poyarkov and Erofey Khabarov.

Founded by Pyotr Ivanovich, the Chita fort soon became the capital of the entire motley Transbaikal Cossack army. From there, Russian pioneers set off to distant, yet unexplored lands.

Chita - the capital of the Transbaikal Cossacks

It is interesting that the border Cossack army was formed only in the second half of the 18th century. Soon, Buryat regiments began to be created specifically to strengthen it. The fact is that at that time there was no official border with Mongolia as such. There was a constant threat from the Manchu lands. All these factors required the presence of a full-fledged and strong army in Transbaikalia, capable of repelling the enemy if necessary. Therefore, in addition to the Buryat regiments, the formation of Tungus regiments began.

Transbaikal Cossack Army in the First World War

By 1764, the Buryat Cossacks numbered a little less than two and a half thousand people (they served in 6 regiments). The number of Tungus was much more modest - only five hundred.

Another curious thing is that the Russian Cossacks were Orthodox, and the majority of the Buryats professed Buddhism. But there were no disagreements or clashes on religious grounds.

Frontier life

By the beginning of the 19th century, a network of Cossack forts spread along the eastern border, covering the so-called “gatehouses”. Simply put, observation towers on which several Cossacks were on combat duty 24 hours a day. Periodically, several detachments were sent to reconnaissance of the situation in the border areas, the number of which varied from 25 to 100 people.

Cossacks were on duty around the clock on the towers

Given the stretch of the border, the number of Cossacks was not enough. Therefore, in the 10-20s of the 19th century, other Cossacks and simply “walking” people from nearby territories began to be resettled in the border forts. Accordingly, the number of Transbaikal Cossacks increased sharply.

It officially appeared only in mid-March 1851 by order of Emperor Nicholas I. He was prompted to do this by the recommendation of the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia Nikolai Nikolaevich Muravyov-Amursky. This is how a strong and, importantly, mobile army appeared on the Transbaikal land. He was entrusted with an important and difficult task - to serve on the border with China.

The number of troops exceeded 48 thousand people. True, most of the soldiers were mining peasants. They began their service at the age of 17, and retired at 58. In 1866, the service period was reduced to 22 years.

Not a single conflict of the Russian Empire of that time could have happened without the participation of the Transbaikal Cossacks in it. For example, they suppressed the Yihetuan uprising (1899−1901) in China and reached Beijing. Then they fought with the Japanese in 1904-1905 at Mukden and Port Arthur. They had a chance to “inherit” it in the First World War.

Transbaikal Cossacks even had a chance to take part in the First World War

Transbaikalian Cossacks in dark green uniforms with yellow stripes were known and feared. Especially the residents of Manchuria and Japan. During the war, samurai completely refused to engage in battle with the Cossacks, even with a large preponderance of forces in their favor.

Difficult choice

By the time of the civil war, the Transbaikal Cossacks were a serious force. It united 12 villages, about 70 farms and 15 settlements, where about 260 thousand people lived. And there were about 15 thousand soldiers in permanent military service.

Like most Cossacks in the Civil War, the Transbaikal Cossacks did not betray the tsar and fought on his side. The leaders of the resistance were Ataman Grigory Mikhailovich Semenov and Baron Roman Fedorovich (Robert-Nikolai-Maximilian) Ungern-Sternberg. But some, of course, supported the Reds.

Ataman Semenov

When it became known that the monarchy had been overthrown, the First Congress of the Transbaikal Cossack Army took place in March 1917 in Chita. It was decided to “transform” the Cossacks into ordinary citizens, and simply liquidate the Cossacks themselves. The majority did not support this initiative. The struggle to preserve the Cossacks began. But she was not successful. In 1920, already in Soviet Russia, the Transbaikal Cossacks (like other Cossack troops) were abolished.

Cossacks emigrated to China, Australia and North America

The Cossacks, who disagreed with this decision, moved with their families to Manchuria, which they knew well, and built their own villages there. Others emigrated to Australia, others to the USA and Canada.

Monument to the founder of Chita Beketov Peter Ivanovich