Transbaikal Cossacks

Transbaikal Cossack Army (Voisko) - warrior community of Siberian Cossacks and native population (Tunguses and Buryats) of the Transbaikal area. Siberian Cossacks first appeared in the region around 1639 and protected the Russian border. After more than a hundred years Tunguses and Buryats began carrying out the same function, although separately from the Cossacks. In 1762 a Tungus regiment was formed and then 4 Buriat regiments in 1764. All of them were established by Cossack standards and were under command of Russian voevods (military commanders and governors of the provinces).

By the decree of March 17, 1851, the Tungus and Buriat regiments were combined into one military community with the Cossacks, as the Transbaikal Cossack Army. The city of Chita was assigned to be the headquarters of the Army. During the annexation of the Amur river banks, the main force of general Muraviov consisted of Transbaikal Cossacks. In peace-time the Transbaikal Cossacks had three cavalry regiments, six infantry battalions and three six-gun batteries. Under war-time mobilization the numbers could triple. During 1918-1922 Transbaikal Cossacks actively supported rivals of the Bolshevists and Red Army.

Look at the uniform of a Transbaikal Cossack, 1889-1892. (35KB)

spm111@yandex.ru