Transbaikalian Cossacks: history, traditions, customs, life and way of life

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

The Trans-Baikal Cossacks - the storm of the samurai - were on the farthest borders of the Motherland a stronghold of order and statehood. Exceptionally courageous, resolute, strong in training, they have always successfully resisted the best units of the enemy.

History

Transbaikal Cossacks appeared for the first time in the forties of the eighteenth century, when the Don and Orenburg Cossacks volunteered to move to the still undeveloped new Russian lands. Here, the state opened up magnificent opportunities for the development of minerals, the number of which gave rise to legends. The borders with the eastern and not very peaceful neighbors had to be guarded, and hardly anyone could do it better than the Transbaikal Cossacks.

Besides, constant and vigilant control over the local population was necessary - the Buryats, in whom the blood of Genghis Khan was still seething, the Tungus, who also did not trust the newcomers too much. The Trans-Baikal Cossacks continued the baton as if. It was their forces that annexed the Urals, Orenburg, Siberia to the empire. The prisons on the Angara and Lena were laid by the Cossack divisions of atamans Perfilyev andBeketov, and among the first explorers we still honor the national hero, Cossack navigator Semyon Dezhnev.

First trips

The first to reach Lake Baikal was Kurbat Ivanov with his Cossacks. Then the widespread settlement of Transbaikalia began, friendly ties were established and strengthened with the natives, who were trained and even included quite often in their troops. The Trans-Baikal Cossacks, whose history dates back to the campaign of Yerofey Pavlovich Khabarov (1649), annexed the Amur region to Russia, and in 1653 the Chita prison, the future capital of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks, was already built. The name of Pavel Beketov, the Cossack who founded the city of Chita, is famous to this day. Russia grew with new territories, extremely rich, beautiful and useful.

In order for the Cossacks to move further east, such a stronghold on Baikal was simply necessary. Those who came settled in, the life and life of the Transbaikal Cossacks improved, more and more new Cossack regiments were organized, which by the middle of the eighteenth century formed into a border army. By the way, the Buryats, by virtue of their militancy, brought glory to their newfound homeland, since many regiments were created and trained from them specifically to strengthen border control. Despite the fact that there were no official borders with Mongolia, and Manchuria generally did not welcome the appearance of Russians in these places, rather, on the contrary, such a step was simply necessary. Thus, a full-fledged and at that time unprecedented in quality Cossack army was created.

Borderline

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, a long line of fortified fortresses (forts) built by the Cossacks had already formed along the eastern border. Observation towers traditionally stood on the front line - "watchmen", where several sentinel Cossacks were located all year round and around the clock. Also, every border town constantly sent reconnaissance to the mountains and steppes - a detachment of twenty-five to one hundred Cossacks.

That is, the Cossacks of the Trans-Baikal Territory created a mobile border line. She announced the enemy and was able to repulse the enemy on her own. However, there were still few Cossacks on such a long border line. And then the emperor resettled many "walking people" to the eastern borders to carry out border service. The number of Cossacks in Transbaikalia increased dramatically. Then the official recognition of the Trans-Baikal Cossack Army came - in March 1871.

Governor-General

This method of protecting the eastern borders was invented by N. N. Muravyov, who drafted the creation of a Cossack army, and the sovereign and the Minister of War readily approved this work. On the outskirts of a vast country, the strongest army was created, which could compete with any enemy. It included not only the Don and Siberian Cossacks, but also the Buryat and Tungus formations. The peasant population of Transbaikalia also increased.

The number of troops reached eighteen thousand people, each of whom began his service at the age of seventeen, and went on a well-deserved rest only at fifty-eight. His whole life was connected withborder guard. Here, depending on the service, the traditions of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks were formed, since their whole life, and the upbringing of children, and death itself were connected with the protection of the state. After 1866, the established term of service was reduced to twenty-two years, while the military charter was an exact copy of the charter of the Donskoy army.

Exploits and defeat

Not a single military conflict over many decades has not been without the participation of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks. Chinese campaign - they were the first to enter Beijing. The battles at Mukden and in Port Arthur - songs are still sung about the valiant Cossacks. Both the Russo-Japanese War and the First World War were accompanied by legends about the strength, perseverance and desperate courage of the Transbaikalian warriors. The costume of the Trans-Baikal Cossack - a dark green uniform and yellow stripes - terrified the Japanese samurai, and if their number did not exceed the Cossack's by more than five times, they did not dare to attack. Yes, and with a larger number, they most often lost.

By 1917, the Cossack army beyond Baikal already numbered 260 thousand people. There were 12 large villages, 69 farms and 15 settlements. They defended the tsar for several centuries, served him faithfully to the last drop of blood, which is why they did not accept the revolution and fought resolutely against the Red Army in the Civil War. This was the first time that they did not win because their cause was not right. So in Chinese Harbin, the largest colony was formed, which was created by Transbaikal Cossacks squeezed out of Russia.

Foreignland

Of course, not all Trans-Baikal Cossacks fought against the new Soviet regime, there were those who supported the Reds. But still, most of them went under the leadership of Baron Ungern and Ataman Semyonov and ended up in China. And here, in 1920, every single Cossack troops were liquidated by the Soviet authorities, that is, disbanded. Only about fifteen percent of the Transbaikal Cossacks could go to Manchuria with their families, where they created Three Rivers - a number of villages.

From China, they disturbed the Soviet borders with raids for some time, but they realized the futility of this and became isolated. They lived by their traditions, their way of life until 1945, when the Soviet army launched an offensive against Manchuria. That very sad time came when the Cossack Transbaikal troops, covered with glory, completely crumbled. Some emigrated further - to Australia - and settled in Queensland, some returned to their homeland, but not in Transbaikalia, but in Kazakhstan, where a settlement was assigned to them. The descendants of mixed marriages did not leave China.

Return

The capital of the Trans-Baikal Cossack army has always been Chita. A few years ago, a monument to Pyotr Beketov, a Cossack, the founder of this city, was opened there. History is gradually being restored, the life and traditions of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks are returning. Lost knowledge is collected bit by bit - from old photographs, letters, diaries, and other documents.

You can see abovephoto of the First Verkhneudinsky regiment, which was part of the Cossack army. At the time of the shooting, the regiment was on a long - two-year - business trip in Mongolia, where the 1911 revolution took place. Now we know that the Cossacks supported it, blocked the Chinese troops, guarded communications and, of course, fought valiantly, as always. The Mongolian campaign is rather little known. This was mentioned more than others at that time, not even by the ataman, but by Yesaul Semyonov, who personally attributed most of the victories to himself.

And there were people of much higher flying - even future white generals. For example, in the photo above - G. A. Verzhbitsky, who succeeded in a quick assault on the impregnable Chinese fortress - Sharasume.

Traditions

Government in the Cossacks has always been military, despite the fact that in all military settlements agriculture, cattle breeding and various crafts were especially developed. Active service determined both life and the rest of the life of a Cossack, regardless of his position in the army. Autumn passed in the field service, in the winter there was combat training, the charters were repeated. Nevertheless, oppression and lack of rights in the Cossacks practically did not occur, here there was the greatest public justice. They conquered the land and therefore considered themselves en titled to own it.

Men even went to field work, hunting and fishing armed, as if to war: nomadic tribes did not warn of attacks. From the cradle they taught children to ride and weapons, even girls. The women who remained in the fortress when everythingthe male population was at war, repeatedly successfully repulsed raids from abroad. Equality in the Cossacks has always been. Traditionally, smart, talented people with great personal merit were chosen for leadership positions. Nobility, we alth, origin did not play any role in the elections. And everyone obeyed the chieftains and decisions of the Cossack circle unquestioningly: from young to old.

Faith

The clergy was also elected - from the most religious and literate people. The priest was a teacher to all, and his advice was always followed. The Cossacks were the most tolerant people for those times, despite the fact that they themselves are deeply, even devoutly, devoted to Orthodoxy. Tolerance was due to the fact that there were always Old Believers, Buddhists, and Mohammedans in the Cossack troops.

Part of the booty from the campaigns was intended for the church. Temples have always been generously decorated with silver, gold, expensive banners and utensils. The life of the Cossacks was understood as serving God and the Fatherland, therefore they never served half-heartedly. Every job was done flawlessly.

Rights and obligations

The customs in the Cossacks are such that a woman there enjoys reverence and respect (and rights) on an equal basis with men. If a Cossack is talking to an elderly woman, he should stand, not sit. The Cossacks never interfered in women's affairs, but always protected their wives, defended and defended their dignity and honor. Thus, the future of the whole people was secured. The interests of a Cossack woman could be represented by a father, husband, brother, son, godson.

If a Cossack woman is a widow or a single woman, then she is protected bychieftain personally. In addition, she could choose an intercessor for herself from the villagers. In any case, they should always listen to her in any instance and be sure to help. Any Cossack must adhere to morality: respect all old people as his own father and mother, and every Cossack woman as his sister, every Cossack as a brother, love every child as his own. Marriage for a Cossack is sacred. This is a Christian sacrament, a shrine. No one could interfere in the life of the family without an invitation or request. The main responsibility for everything that happens within the family lies with the man.

Life

The Trans-Baikal Cossacks almost always furnished the huts in the same way: a red corner with icons, a corner table with a Bible next to a hat and candles. Sometimes family pride was also located nearby - a gramophone or a piano. Against the wall - always a beautifully made bed, old, with patterns, on which even great-grandfathers rested. A special pride of the Cossack woman is a patterned valance on the bed, lace embroidered pillowcases on numerous pillows.

There is usually a shaky hanging in front of the bed. Nearby is a huge chest where the girl's dowry is kept, as well as a traveling chest, always ready for war or service. There are many embroideries, portraits and photographs on the walls. In the kitchen corner - cleanly polished dishes, irons, samovars, mortars, jugs. Bench with buckets for water. A snow-white stove with all the attributes - tongs and cast irons.

Composition of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks

At the very beginning, Evenk (Tungus) military formations were also present here. Forces were distributedso: three cavalry regiments and three foot brigades (from the first to the third - Russian regiments, the fourth - Tungus, the fifth and sixth - Buryat) guarded the borders and carried out internal service, and when in 1854 rafting along the Amur was carried out and border posts were established along the rest borders, the Amur Cossack army appeared. For one Zabaykalsky this boundary line was too big.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Transbaikalians fielded fifty guards, four cavalry regiments and two artillery batteries for peacetime. The war demanded more: nine regiments of cavalry, three spare hundred and four artillery batteries in addition to the above. Of the Cossack population of 265 thousand, more than fourteen thousand people served.

Present

With perestroika, the Trans-Baikal Cossacks began their revival: the Great Cossack Circle was convened in Moscow in 1990, where it was decided to recreate the Trans-Baikal Cossacks. Literally a year later, this happened up to the organization of the ensemble. It's called - "Transbaikal Cossacks". Ataman was elected in Chita, he became in 2010 Sergey Bobrov. And in 2011, the 160th anniversary of the appearance of the Cossacks beyond Baikal was widely celebrated.

The anthem of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks remained almost the same, it sings of the dear Transbaikal, who never took off his hat before any enemy force, very poetically sewing a sunbeam into the blue of Baikal, like a Cossack lampas (yellow), alsosung about love for Russia, about the memory of the forefathers who served her.