His Imperial Majesty's own convoy uniform. Imperial convoy

The first information about the convoy in Russian military chronicles appears in 1775. On the occasion of the end of the war with Turkey and the celebration of peace at Kuchuk-Kainardzhi, at the suggestion of Prince Potemkin, who commanded all the irregular troops at that time, the Don and Chuguev court teams of Cossacks were formed by the ataman of the Don Army, Alexei Ivanovich Ilovaisky. Together with a life squadron selected from the hussar regiments, they formed Catherine II’s own convoy, intended to guard the Empress.
In November 1796, Paul I ordered the Don and Chuguev teams to be included in the Life Hussar-Cossack Regiment, which continued to serve as a guard for the Tsar and members of his family, although it no longer constituted its own convoy.

Life Guards Black Sea Cossack Division. Artist A.I. Gebens, 1858. Canvas, oil.

Functions of the convoy of Alexander I during foreign campaigns of 1813 - 1814. performed by the Life Guards Cossack Regiment, consisting of three Don squadrons and the Life Guards of the Black Sea Hundred, formed May 18, 1811. This date became the official date of the convoy. Chernomorians received Active participation V Patriotic War 1812.

The convoy holiday was established on October 4 (in honor of the distinction of the Black Sea Hundred in the Battle of Leipzig in 1813) - the day of St. Hierotheus.

As a regular unit intended for convoy service at the highest court, in 1828 the Life Guards Caucasian-Mountain Half-Squadron was formed from Caucasian highlanders. It included the princes and uzdens of Kabarda, representatives of the noble families of the Chechens, Kumyks, Lezgins, Nogais and other Caucasian peoples. They were commanded by Captain Sultan-Azamat-Girey, a descendant of the Crimean khans. The half-squadron was subordinate to the commander of the imperial headquarters, Adjutant General Benckendorff.

According to the states of 1830, a half-squadron was supposed to have five officers, nine cadets and 40 squires. The highlanders, with rare exceptions, did not know the Russian language at all. Many of them were practically illiterate. In August 1829, 17 people expressed a desire to enroll in the Noble Regiment to study. Benckendorff drew up rules that were to guide the command when dealing with new students. The rules took into account national traditions and customs and contributed to the rapprochement of people of different faiths:
“...Do not give pork and ham... Strictly prohibit the ridicule of the nobles and try to make friends with the highlanders with them... Do not teach guns and marching, trying to get the highlanders to do this hunting free time... Do not subject to corporal punishment: in general, punish only through Ensign Tuganov, who knows better how to treat which people... Effendius is allowed to visit the highlanders whenever he wishes, even in classes... So that during the highlanders’ prayers the nobles they were not disturbed... See that not only the teachers, but also the nobles did not say anything bad about the faith of the mountaineers and did not advise changing it..." ( Petin S. His Imperial Majesty's own convoy. 1811-1911 Historical sketch. - St. Petersburg.. 1911.).

The presence of the highlanders in the Noble Regiment played a positive role. Despite the fact that some of them left it, the majority wished to be sent to educational establishments their children or relatives. In June 1830, 40 young men arrived from the Caucasus in St. Petersburg. Subsequently in military educational institutions capital received an average of 30 people annually

In 1832, a new unit appeared as part of the convoy, intended exclusively for guarding the Tsar - the Team of Caucasian Linear Cossacks. According to the staff, it consisted of two officers, four constables and 24 Cossacks; the uniforms and weapons for the Cossacks were the same as those for the Life Guards of the Caucasus-Mountain half-squadron. In March 1833, the team was doubled and divided into two shifts: one was in service in St. Petersburg for 3 years, and the second was on benefits.

Convoy uniform of Emperor Alexander II

Later, in 1836 and 1839, the Lezgin Team and the Muslim Team were formed. They were subordinate to the commander of the Life Guards of the Caucasian-Mountain half-squadron. The service life in the teams was set at four years.

With the accession of Alexander II to the throne, major changes occurred in the organization of the convoy. It began to consist of two squadrons: the Caucasian four-platoon Life Guards (1st platoon - Georgian Team, 2nd platoon - Highlanders Team, 3rd platoon - Lezgin Team, 4th platoon - Muslim Team) and the Life Guards Caucasian Cossack squadron, divided into two parts (one in service and the second on benefits). The Cossacks served in St. Petersburg for 3 years, after which they were assigned to their units in the Caucasus, and the highlanders - for 4 years. At the end of their stay in the convoy, all cadets and squires of the Life Guards of the Caucasian squadron were promoted to officers. The first commander of the convoy was appointed - aide-de-camp, Colonel Pyotr Romanovich Bagration, a descendant of the most ancient family of Georgian princes. All convoy personnel were subordinate to him.

In I860, in connection with the reorganization of the Cossack troops in the North Caucasus and the formation of two new ones - Kuban and Terek - changes occurred in the composition of the convoy. Since October 1867, the Life Guards Caucasian Cossack squadrons began to form two from the Kuban and one from the Terek army.
In May 1863, the Life Guards Crimean Tatar squadron was abolished. Three officers and 21 lower ranks were enlisted in His Majesty’s own convoy, forming from them the Life Guards Crimean Tatars Convoy Team. The team was divided into three shifts, one was on duty, and two were on benefits in Crimea. Shift replacement was planned after three years.

Cossack convoys, unlike the mountaineers, had to carry out more intense guard and internal service: guarding the Tsar and members of his family during trips, on walks, while relaxing in country palaces and in the Crimea.

Mountaineer Platoon Officer of the Convoy

The convoys, both Cossacks and highlanders, were characterized by the high art of horseback riding and shooting from horseback. Even the youngest could shoot accurately at the target while galloping at full speed or bending down from the saddle to the ground and drawing along it with their hand. The more experienced ones rode sitting backwards, lying with their backs across the horse, standing on the saddle with their feet or on their heads. Racing while standing on two horses or when another comrade stood on the back of one escort was considered especially chic.

The Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 occupies a special page in the history of the convoy. In October 1876, Alexander II decided that in the event of war, the 2nd Kuban and Terek Cossack squadrons, which were on benefits, would become part of the active army as the convoy of its commander-in-chief. Cossacks gathered in the villages of Kavkazskaya and Prokhladnaya. They arrived in Chisinau on December 11, 1876. The Kuban troops were commanded by Colonel Zhukov, and the Terets troops were commanded by Captain Kulebyakin. In addition to the protection of the commander-in-chief, the field commandant of the active army, Major General Stein, who was in charge of the convoy, ordered the appointment of teams from the Cossacks to carry out police service on the Trade Square. Such use as police deeply outraged the convoys. The Tertsy commander, Parfeny Terentyevich Kulebyakin, distinguished by his directness and decisiveness, who, by the way, was not only a dashing grunt, but also a talented self-taught poet, turned for help to Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev (in 1858-1864, the commander of the convoy), who was at that time under the commander-in-chief. Only after the intervention of the general, the commandant’s order, as not corresponding to the importance and responsibilities of the convoy service, was canceled. Subsequently, right up to the start of the campaign, the Cossacks were intensively engaged in exercises, shooting, carried out escort and reconnaissance service, and participated in field trips of the command.

L.Gv. Caucasian squadron of Own E.I.V. Convoy

At the beginning of August 1877, the Terek squadron received permission from the tsar to fighting as part of the detachment of Major General Prince Imeretinsky. In the twentieth of August, the convoys took an active part in the famous case near Lovcha. Together with the Vladikavkaz Cossack Regiment and the Ossetian Division of the Caucasian Cossack Brigade, on August 22, on horseback, they attacked the selected Turkish infantry, which was several times larger in number, and cut down up to 4,000 enemy soldiers and officers.

On August 26, the Terek Life Guards squadron returned to the Main Apartment. The Tsar, having learned from the report of Captain Kulebyakin that the convoys had attacked the Turkish infantry, was very surprised, since history did not know many examples when Cossack cavalry successfully acted against enemy infantry in mounted formation.

At the end of September 1877, both Kuban convoy squadrons were sent to participate in hostilities as part of Major General Ellis' detachment. They distinguished themselves in the battles of Gorny Dubnyak and Telish.
For the courage and bravery shown in battles, the Kuban residents were awarded insignia on their headdresses with the inscription “For Distinction in Turkish war 1877 and 1878”, and Tertsy - “For Lovcha on August 22, 1877”.

On March 1, 1881, an attempt was made on Alexander II. At that moment, with the tsar’s crew were 6 lower ranks of the Life Guards of the Terek squadron, led by captain Kulebyakin. All of them received injuries of varying severity. One of them, a Cossack from the village of Chervlennaya Alexander Maleichev, died in the hospital. By order of Alexander III, the Maleichev family, his wife and four young children, were given an annual pension of 100 rubles. Pensions were also granted to other Cossacks who suffered on the day of the assassination attempt.

In December 1881, changes occurred in the convoy.

"ORDER ON THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT
St. Petersburg. December 2nd day 1881
The Sovereign Emperor deigned to command:
1) As part of... the convoy, form another Terek Cossack squadron according to the existing staff, assuming that all squadrons... have 6 officers: 1 captain, 1 staff captain, 1 lieutenant and 3 cornets.
2) The Kuban Cossack squadrons will retain their existing numbers, and the Terek squadrons will be assigned numbers 1st and 2nd.
3) Have one Kuban and one Terek squadron constantly in service and one squadron each on benefits...
6) In the order of recruitment and service of Cossack squadrons, be guided by the existing regulations about them, allowing changes in them: a) replace serving squadrons with preferential ones after .. 3 years, b) send regular squadrons in such a way that they arrive in St. St. Petersburg by October 15...
8) Life Guards Caucasian Squadron... disband the convoy... Adjutant General Vannovsky, head of the Military Ministry.”


After the events of 1905, the main residence of Emperor Nicholas II became the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe. In 1895, a convoy was transferred here from St. Petersburg, from the barracks on Shpalernaya Street No. 28. Hundreds were stationed partly in the Leningrad Guards. Hussar Regiment and L-Guards. Cuirassier. The officers lived in the building of the former Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, occupied the ground floor, and later in the building of the Palace Administration on the corner of Leontyevskaya and Srednyaya streets. Then temporary wooden barracks were built for the convoys on the outskirts of Alexander Park, next to the barracks of the 1st railway. battalion In 1908, it was decided to build a church for the Convoy and the consolidated regiment, according to the design of architect. A.N. Pomerantseva. On August 20, 1909, the laying took place, but according to the project of the architect. V.A. Pokrovsky. The construction was carried out in 1910-1912, then the construction of a group of buildings in the character of Russian civil architecture of the 17th century began. The author of the project is arch. S.S. Krichinsky, the complex was named “Fedorovsky Town”. . Each hundred was located independently, having, to complete the amenities, electric lighting everywhere from the palace power plant, as well as water supply and sewerage.

Cossack Convoy E.I.V., early 20th century


On May 17, 1911, as part of the celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Convoy, a new anniversary St. George standard was nailed to the pole. The standard is made of red damask, in the middle is the face of Christ. The standard was accompanied by a lanyard and St. Andrew's ribbon.


The Emperor approached the standard, took the hammer presented to him by the commander of the Convoy and, in solemn silence, drove in the first nail with three blows. The second was driven in by the Heir Tsarevich, then by His Majesty's Viceroy in the Caucasus, Adjutant General Vorontsov-Dashkov, the Minister of the Court, the commander and officers of the Convoy, the atamans of the Caucasian Cossack troops and the lower ranks of the Convoy. After nailing the standard, sergeant Nikon Popov took it to the Grand Palace for storage. On May 18, the consecration of the standard and the parade took place on the square of the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace.

The Emperor in the uniform of Colonel E.I.V. Convoy


In the evening, a reception of deputations and a festive dinner were held in the new Convoy meeting. From the Kuban army the Convoy was presented with a silver kettledrum, a copy of the kettledrums granted to the Black Sea people by Catherine II. It was accompanied by kettledrums and a ladle in the form of a hat attached to a saber.

The Tertsy presented a silver brother, the Life Guards Cossack Regiment - a bronze group (the Life Guards Cossack and the Chernomorets defeat the French men-at-arms), the old-timers - two bronze groups of Cossacks, His Majesty's Own Consolidated Infantry Regiment - a silver "Old Russian" jug with a ladle, 1st railway regiment and cuirassiers of His Majesty's regiment - crystal brother in silver.


With the outbreak of the First World War, convoys continued to serve in the capital and Tsarskoe Selo. With the departure of Nicholas II to Headquarters, hundreds, periodically replacing each other, were with him. At the end of 1915, the tsar decided to temporarily assign the Cossacks of the convoy to combat units. The first to leave for the front in December 1915 was the 1st Life Guards Kuban Cossack Hundred of Yesaul Zhukov. On June 15, 1916, its commander reported to Headquarters: “... a hundred took part on May 28 and 29 in crossing the river. Prut near Vama... On June 5th, when a convoy of 1008 wagons with two heavy guns was captured... On the 6th - a hundred took height 451 near Kamenka... On the 7th - the crossing over Suceava was taken... and in the cavalry attack on the city of Radauce... On the 8th - they took part in the occupation of Gura-Gumara and on the 10th they took Campalung... On the 10th a machine gun was taken by hundreds, more than 300 prisoners... Received 147 St. George's crosses and 19 of the same medals... ."

On June 9, 1916, a tragic event occurred - Colonel Zhukov shot himself. He had long suffered from a hernia, which was not amenable to surgical treatment and did not allow him to be on a horse for a long time. Having taken command of the 2nd Kizlyar-Grebensky Regiment and participating with it in continuous battles, Zhukov was forced to make long marches on horseback. The disease worsened and began to cause excruciating suffering. The corps commander ordered him to go to the rear. Impeccable courage and highest degree the proud Kuban citizen, fearing that his departure in the midst of hostilities might be regarded by his subordinates as a sign of cowardice, committed suicide. In order No. 193 of July 11, 1916, the convoy commander wrote: “...with all my heart I lament the untimely death of Colonel Zhukov, a wonderful, valiant officer and an excellent person. The kingdom of heaven to him!”

March 4, 1917 Chief of Staff Supreme Commander-in-Chief Adjutant General Alekseev issued order No. 344, the first paragraph of which read: “... under the jurisdiction of the Commander of the Imperial Main Apartment His Imperial Majesty’s own convoy will be included in the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and renamed the convoy of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief...”

However, the Convoy units survived and continued their history after 1917, in Serbia, then in the USA, until the 70s of the last century. But I don’t presume to judge this story...

Letter Grand Duchess Olga Aleksandrovna Kulikovskaya-Romanova to the assistant division commander in 1957: “On the day of the dear Owner’s holiday. E.V. The convoy will be mentally with you, the “California” Cossacks. May the Lord grant you the patience to endure your fate outside your home and homeland. I wish you all good health for many years to come! Olga, who loves you."

Tsarskoye Selo. Anniversary of Own E.I.V. Convoy

Used: article by Lieutenant Colonel N.D. Plotnikov, materials from the site regiment.ru, geglov2.narod.ru.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY'S OWN Convoy

The convoy was under the authority of the Commander of the IMPERIAL HQ.

Location: Tsarskoe Selo.


Approved on April 29, 1878 for officers and lower ranks of the Emperor's convoy in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878. Worn on the left side of the chest. The badge is a silver wreath of oak and laurel branches tied at the bottom with a ribbon. The wreath contains a silver monogram under a silver Imperial crown. Exceptionally rare. The retinue was not large and the time period for issuing and wearing this sign was very short.
Height – 37.7 mm; width – 28 mm. Weight 19.76 g. Silver, gilding, officer's.
Catalog: Sheveleva. Badges of the Russian army.

Circassian officer of the Life Guards team of the Caucasian linear Cossack army S.E.I.V. convoy. Russia. 1833 State Historical Museum

1861 February 2. HIGHLY commanded: the Life Guards Black Sea Division to connect with His Majesty’s Own Convoy, forming Life Guards 1st, 2nd and 3rd Caucasian Cossack squadrons , and in each squadron there will be two-thirds Kuban and one-third Tertsy. (At the same time, the Life Guards Caucasian squadron of Georgians, Highlanders, Lezgins and Muslims was in the Convoy).

Book Trubetskoy, Georgy Ivanovich, HIS MAJESTY'S Retinue, commander (in 1909)

Units forming part of the Life Guards of His Majesty's Own convoy.

The convoy in 1875 consisted of:

a) Life Guards Caucasian Squadron and

b) two squadrons of the Kuban Cossack troops and a squadron of the Terek Cossack troops.

According to the staff, in 1875 the following were required:

Staff and chief officers

Junkers and non-commissioned officers

Trubachey

Squires and Cossacks

Class officials

Non-combatants

Denshchikov

Drill horses

Horse lifting

Life Guards Caucasian Squadron

Life Guards Caucasian Cossack Squadron

Crimean Tatar team

The convoy included a team of disabled people consisting of 5 non-commissioned officers and 60 privates.

(Prospect V.M. 1868 No. 377.)

Convoys in different years:

Non-commissioned officer of the Black Sea Hundred of His Imperial Majesty's Convoy.

Russia, 1818 Orlovsky, Alexander Osipovich. 1777-1832. Paper, watercolor, 51.3x39.9 cm.

Russia, 1818 Orlovsky, Alexander Osipovich. 1777-1832. Paper, watercolor, 52x40.3 cm.

Chief officer of the Black Sea Hundred of His Imperial Majesty's Convoy.

Russia, 1818 Orlovsky, Alexander Osipovich. 1777-1832. Paper, watercolor, 51.5x40.2 cm.

1814 March 13, near Fère-Champenoise; On March 10, at the head of the Russian Guard, he solemnly entered, where he bivouaced in the Champs Elysees; On March 21, he set out on a return trip and arrived in St. Petersburg on October 25.

1828 April 7, the squadrons located in St. Petersburg set out (except for the 3rd, which was left in place) on a campaign against the Turks; On August 22 we arrived at ; The 1st and 2nd Life Cossack squadrons became part of the siege corps located in the camp near Varna, and the 7th Black Sea squadron was sent to Golovin on September 3. The 4th, 5th and 6th preferential (from the Don) squadrons were recently stationed at the Imperial Main Apartment. On July 14th, one of the convoy squadrons had a heated battle with the Turks in Simansky’s detachment near the village of Madidu. On August 20, 3 squadrons were sent to observe the enemy and had a firefight with the Turks for several days in a row; On September 15, they distinguished themselves in the detachment of General Sukhozanet at Haji-Gassan-Lara; On September 13, in the detachment of Prince Eugene of Wirtemberg near Gassan-Lara, they repulsed the Army of Omer-Vrione; On September 29, pursuing the retreating enemy, they dealt with him on the river. Kamchik: On October 12 we performed at winter quarters to the Volyn province. From July 1829 to July 11, 1830, they occupied the cordon line along the Dniester, due to the plague that appeared in the Bessarabian region, and then the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th squadrons returned to St. Petersburg, and the 2nd and 5th to the Don.

1831 Everyone gathered in Vilna in January; and March in the town of Tykochin, the Life Squadron was assigned to the Headquarters of the Guards Corps, 2 was sent to Lomza; 3 and 4 entered the vanguard of the Guards Corps; 7 Chernomorsky was assigned to escort the Imperial, and 5 and 8 were left in Kovno. From March until the end of the campaign, “Life squadrons and individual teams took an active part in affairs, constantly being in front of the troops and not giving rest to the rebels; 25 and 20 August at different places covering the artillery.

Note. on the occasion of the end of hostilities in the Kingdom of Poland on October 6, 1831 on Tsaritsyn Meadow in St. Petersburg. 1837. CHERNETSOV Grigory Grigorievich. Canvas, oil. 112x345 cm. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

Note. on the occasion of the end of hostilities in the Kingdom of Poland on October 6, 1831 on Tsaritsyn Meadow in St. Petersburg. 1839. CHERNETSOV Grigory Grigorievich. Canvas, oil. 48x71 cm. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

1877 May 14, the half-squadron of the 1st Life Guards of the Kuban Cossack squadron set out from St. Petersburg for the Danube; participated in affairs with the Turks: on October 4 on reconnaissance at, on October 12 during the capture of this fortification and on October 10 during the capture of Telish and on December 23 he returned to St. Petersburg. Life Guards 2 Kuban Cossack squadron, sent from the Caucasus to Chisinau on December 4, 1876; was in business with the Turks: during reconnaissance on October 4, during the capture of it on October 12, and during the capture of Telish on October 16. Returned to St. Petersburg on April 21, 1878.

1877 Life Guards Terek squadron departed for Chisinau from the Caucasus on December 3, 1370; participated in various matters with the Turks he especially distinguished himself during the capture of Lovchi on August 25, 1877. The squadron returned to St. Petersburg on April 21, 1878.

Note.

UNIFORM FEATURES:

Circassian officer of His Imperial Majesty's Own Convoy.

Russia, 1832-1855

Cloth, galloon, velvet, metal, beating, forging, carving, blackening, silvering, back length: 104.0 cm.

Officer's beshmet of His Imperial Majesty's Own Convoy. Belonged to the Heir Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich.

Russia, 1840s

Eraser, braid, back length: 94.0 cm.

Ceremonial officers of the Highlanders of His Imperial Majesty's Own Convoy.

Russia, 1848

Unknown engraver. Paper, lithograph, watercolor, gouache, varnish, 53x72.2 cm.

Officer's beshmet of His Imperial Majesty's Own Convoy, which belonged to Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich.

Russia, 1910s pique, braid. Back length: 70.0 cm.

SERVED IN THE CONVOY:

Tokarev, Petr Kosmianovich, Poedesaul

Abatsiev, David Konstantinovich, podesaul

Persian Prince Riza-Quli-Mirza, Alexander Petrovich, Poedesaul

Zhukov, Alexander Semenovich, podesaul

Rasp, Georgy Antonovich, Poedesaul

Dolgov, Nikolai Alexandrovich, podesaul

Book Amilakhvari, Alexander Vladimirovich, centurion

Svidin, Mikhail Ivanovich, centurion

Dolidze, Veniamin Georgievich, centurion

Veter, Ivan Andreevich, centurion

Makuho, Boris Dmitrievich, centurion

Arats Khan, Hadji Murat, centurion

Savitsky, Vyacheslav Dmitrievich, centurion

Tatonov, Grigory Petrovich, centurion

Pankratov, Konstantin Ivanovich, centurion

Khoranov, Mikhail Iosifovich, cornet

Gulyga, Georgy Ivanovich, cornet

COMBAT LOSSES:

Patriotic War of 1812 and Foreign campaigns:

Zavadovsky Nikolai, cornet of the Black Sea Guards Hundred. Wounded on July 16 at Gaponovshchizna. Date of article writing: 2008 Articles used in writing this article: Etc. V. M. 1868 No. 377, List of officers 1909 Image source: AD "Gelos", State Hermitage, album "Russian Army. 1892."

His Imperial Majesty's own convoy

Throughout the 19th century. The backbone of the Russian monarchs' guard was the Cossacks. The beginning of the creation of its own convoy dates back to the time of Catherine II, who in 1775 ordered the formation of a military team for her personal protection. In 1796, this team was transformed into a Hussar-Cossack regiment, consisting of three Don squadrons. But in fact, the history of the Own Convoy begins on May 18, 1811 245, when the Life Guards Black Sea Cossack Hundred from the Kuban Cossacks 246 was formed. This formation 247 constituted the personal guard of Emperor Alexander I during the foreign campaigns of the Russian army in 1813–1814. 248 It is fundamentally important that the Convoy was the first special military unit, intended to protect the emperor and his family members.

Under Nicholas I in 1828, the Caucasian-Mountain Half-Squadron was formed as part of the Convoy. They were commanded by Captain Sultan-Azamat-Girey, a descendant of the Crimean khans. It is characteristic that the mountain cavalry was under the authority of the Chief of Gendarmes and the Commander of the Main Imperial Apartment A.Kh. Benckendorf. For responsible service in the Convoy, the highlanders were previously trained in the Noble Regiment, since they all came from noble Caucasian families. Due to the fact that the mountaineers were Muslims, the rules for their training were drawn up personally by A.Kh. Benckendorf. These rules took into account the peculiarities of the mentality and religion of the mountaineers. For example, it was prescribed “not to give pork and ham. Strictly prohibit the ridicule of the nobles and try to make friends with the highlanders with them. Don’t teach guns and marching, trying to get the mountaineers to hunt in their free time”; “It is not forbidden to wash your face, as is customary, several times a day. Effendiy is allowed to visit the Highlanders whenever he wishes, even in the classrooms. Make sure that the nobles do not disturb them while the highlanders are praying. Do not interfere with meetings with fellow tribesmen”; “Make sure that not only teachers, but also nobles do not say anything bad about the faith of the mountaineers and do not advise changing it.”

The ceremonial uniform of the ranks of His Imperial Majesty's Own convoy. 1910

According to the states of 1830, a half-squadron was supposed to have 5 officers, 9 cadets and 40 squires. At the same time, mountain horsemen played a dual role. On the one hand, they were entrusted with honorable service in the personal guard of the emperor. During visits to Russia by rulers from European countries, the highlanders with their medieval weapons were perceived as an element of “Russian exoticism.” On the other hand, they played the role of a kind of hostages in the conditions of the ongoing war in the Caucasus. Therefore, they tried to keep the mountaineers at some distance from the king. When recruiting highlanders for the Convoy, attention was paid to the degree of influence and wealth of the clan. Preference was given to Kumyks, Kabardins, Ossetians, Nogais and Lezgins. They tried not to take Chechens into the Convoy.

In the 1830s. The convoy was deployed to three hundred: linear Terek Cossacks (from October 12, 1832), Lezgins (from 1836) and Azerbaijanis (from 1839). In 1857, a team of Georgians appeared in the Convoy. It was the linear Terek Cossacks who were entrusted with the responsible task of constant personal protection of Nicholas I. According to the staff of a hundred, there were two officers, four officers and 24 Cossacks; the Cossacks were given the same uniforms and weapons as the Life Guards of the Caucasian-Mountain half-squadron. In March 1833 The composition of the team was doubled and divided into two shifts: one was in service for 3 years in St. Petersburg, and the second was “on benefits,” i.e. in their villages.

Stone-cut figurine of the chamberlain Cossack Alexey Alekseevich Kudinov. Company "K" Faberge"

The Cossacks accompanied the Tsar on his trips and were used for guard duty. One of the favorite residences of Nicholas I was Peterhof, in which a Cottage was built for the imperial family, and the park around it was named after the Tsar’s wife “Alexandria”. In 1832, a team of linear Cossacks of the Convoy patrolled the Peterhof parks, where the imperial summer residence was located. By 1833, a certain order of service had already developed, and clearly fixed posts appeared. So, during the protection of Peterhof Park, one post was located “near the house” on the shore Gulf of Finland on the way to Alexandria, another - at Monplaisir, a third - at the Marly pavilion, a fourth carried the daily outfit in Alexandria, “to send news”. During the emperor’s walks, the Cossacks were placed along the route in advance in order to protect it.

In the mid-1830s. a new tradition was formed that persisted until 1917. The Tsar’s personal bodyguards began to be recruited from the Terek Cossack hundred of the Convoy.

In 1836, the constable Podsvirov was first taken to serve at the Court as an indoor “Cossack chamber”. It was he who laid the foundation for the tradition of the existence of “personal guards” - bodyguards for the king’s person.

Nicholas I in the uniform of a team of guards linear Cossacks of His Own E.I.V. convoy

In addition to the Cossacks, the residences of Nicholas I were guarded by guards from guard posts. To guard the imperial residence in Peterhof, two guards regiments were permanently stationed. When the Tsar was resting outside Peterhof, the protection of Alexandria Park was provided by seven permanent posts, two privates for each post 249. During the Tsar's vacation in the Cottage, the park's army security was reinforced by gendarmerie officials. According to the memoirs of a contemporary, “not a single mortal was allowed through the gates of the Alexandria Park unless this mortal was sitting in a court carriage” 250.

By the mid-1840s. The first stage of the formation of the imperial guard ended. Until 1845, the order of Convoy service was determined by short job descriptions. In May 1845, the Tsar was presented with additions to the brief rules of combat service for irregular troops in terms of His Majesty’s Own Convoy. Nicholas I personally made amendments to these documents. The rules determined the composition of the Convoy, the staff of each of its units, the order of organization and service during events with the participation of the Tsar. In 1845, barracks were built for the Convoy in Tsarskoye Selo.

IN last years In the life of Nicholas I, the “highest command” established the medal “For Service in His Own Convoy.” The order for its establishment was issued in December 1850. However, only on January 19, 1855, a month before the death of Nicholas I, the Minister of War

V.A. Dolgoruky informed the Minister of the Imperial Household V.F. about its establishment. Adlerberg. This medal was supposed to be awarded to the highlanders, Lezgins and Muslims who served in the Convoy, when they were promoted to the first officer rank - cornets - for their length of service. Samples of medals were approved by Alexander II a few days after the death of Nicholas I (02/18/1855) - February 24, 1855. The St. Petersburg Mint produced 100 copies of gold and 100 silver medals. These medals were worn around the neck on the ribbon of the Order of St. Anne. However, very few such medals were issued - 3 gold and 45 silver 251.

Convoy Service Medal. 1850s

The Cossacks of the Convoy served in a completely different way during the reign of Alexander II (February 19, 1855 - March 1, 1881). On February 19, 1861, Alexander II signed the fateful Manifesto for Russia on the emancipation of serfs. At the same time, he well remembered the fate of Paul I, so it was in February 1861 that the first steps were taken to strengthen the immediate protection of Alexander II.

At the beginning of February 1861, the Life Guards Black Sea Cossack division was combined with the Life Guards linear Cossack squadron of its own convoy. As a result, the number of the Own Convoy reached 500 people. Their number included Kuban (2/3) and Terek (1/3) Cossacks. Along with other military formations, the Cossacks performed guard duty in the Winter Palace. During this alarming time, the Convoy Cossack guard, consisting of one platoon, was in the Field Marshal's Hall, in addition, a post was posted near the Tsar's office (an officer, a non-commissioned officer and two Cossacks) and two Cossacks occupied a post at night near the Tsar's bedroom. During court balls, seven Cossacks were appointed to the tsar’s entrance “to take off their coats.”

An important feature of the current situation was that Alexander II personally and very concerned began to deal with issues of his own security. Yes, according to his instructions

from December 20, 1861 “in the hall with a portrait of Prince. Volkonsky" placed 23 Cossacks of the Convoy for the period from 12 o'clock at night to 9 o'clock in the morning. Total in the Winter Palace in the 1860s. Cossacks, alternating with guards units, occupied five posts. The Cossacks began to periodically accompany the Tsar during his trips to St. Petersburg and constantly accompanied the Tsar during his walks in country residences and in the Crimea.

Alexander II in the uniform of the Life Guards of the Cossack squadrons of the Convoy. Early 1860s

In May 1863, after the abolition of the Crimean Tatar squadron, a team of the Life Guards of the Crimean Tatars 252 became part of the Convoy. It was in this team that Prince Nikolai Georgievich Tumanov served as an officer. At the end of the reign of Alexander III, he was one of the persons who determined the order of the emperor's security.

The practice of hostage-taking continued to some extent into the 1860s. Thus, the son of the captive Shamil served as part of the mountain unit of the Convoy, who for decades fought against Russian troops in the Caucasus. On August 21, 1860, Shamil wrote to the Minister of the Imperial Court from Kaluga: “When the news reached us that the Great Sovereign Emperor ordered to accept our son Muhammad-Shefi into military service into His Majesty’s own convoy and even showed him the favor of awarding an officer’s rank, we were incredibly happy about this... I bring you my sincere and great gratitude for this, for you were the reason for this and helped to finish this matter, and we know this for sure, because you are held in high esteem and respect from the Sovereign, he accepts your words and approves your actions. May God restore your health, this is our constant prayer for you. Mortal servant of God Shamil."

Since October 1867, the Cossack squadrons of the Convoy began to be recruited independently. Gradually, a tradition of selecting reinforcements for the Own Convoy developed, which was maintained until 1914.

Grand Dukes Sergei and Pavel Alexandrovich ( younger sons Alexander II) in the form of a harness-cadet and an ordinary squadron of the Own E.I.V. convoy. Late 1860s Photo by S.L. Levitsky

Getting into the Convoy was not easy. To select candidates for their own convoy, seconded officers traveled around the Cossack Terek and Kuban villages. Previously, the officers asked the Cossacks of the Convoy whether they knew worthy candidates from their village. Cossack escorts asked old guardsmen and fathers about this in letters. The ataman and the old men represented the young Cossacks ready for active service. The village passed judgment. Thus, on February 19, 1899, the elected representatives of the Shchedrin village assembly of the Kizlyar department of the Terek region, from among the 54 who had the right to vote at the public assembly, approved with 39 votes that the clerk Andrei Taran, who expressed a desire to join the service in the Convoy, took the oath of 1889 “behavior, moral qualities does not belong to good or harmful sects.” Then the lists of those selected from all the villages were sent to the Military Headquarters. For “guards height”, 2 arshins 8 vershoks (180 cm) were required. This height was not required for excellent horsemen, dancers and songwriters. The Cossacks went through drill and medical commission. The veterinarian examined the horses. To serve in the Convoy, horses had to be tall, in good condition and bay in color. In the Convoy, commanders and trumpeters sat on light gray horses. The trumpeters followed directly behind the sovereign on beautiful Arabian horses, which they bought from the horse breeder Kotsev in Kabarda. When changing the Convoy after 4 years, the Tsar gave signs “For service in my Convoy.”

Since there were many Old Believers among the Cossacks of the Convoy, two priests were present at the oath to Alexander II - an Old Believer and an Orthodox.

Ranks of the Own E.I.V. convoy and the imperial family. 1915

After performing the sacred prayer, the adjutant of the Convoy announced to the Cossacks about those exploits for which the St. George Cross was complained, but he also reported about the punishments imposed on military ranks for misconduct. Then the priests loudly and slowly read the text of the military oath established by Peter I. Following the priest, the young Cossacks raised right hand For sign of the cross, repeating the text.

Ceremonial Circassian coat of Own E.I.V. convoy of Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. 1914

When selecting for the Convoy, not only external data was taken into account, but also qualities such as intelligence, literacy, and the ability to get along with others. For the slightest offense there was inevitable punishment. The worst of them is expulsion from the Convoy. In addition to the shame (a telegram was immediately sent to the army headquarters, and not only his native village, but also the entire district knew about what had happened), the Cossack was deprived of tangible benefits provided after the end of his service. Therefore, there were very rare cases of dismissal without promotion to the ranks and with deprivation of the guards uniform. The guilty party could not appear in such disgrace in the village, from which Cossacks were then not accepted into the Convoy for several years.

In the second half of the 1870s. Cossacks of the Own Convoy began to constantly accompany Emperor Alexander II. First in country residences during walks. Since 1879 and during trips around St. Petersburg. During this period, the great princes still led their usual way of life, and the thickening ring of security around the king was perceived by them as the destruction in the eyes of the people of the usual image of the king. Here is one of the characteristic diary entries of the summer of 1877, made by the young Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich: “After breakfast I went to Tsarskoye. Met the Tsar and Empress in a carriage; there is a Cossack on the box, in front, on the sides and behind there are Cossacks on horseback, at some distance... in a droshky. I admit it hurts to watch how the Tsar must travel as a prisoner - and where? In Russia itself" 253.

In conclusion, we note that until March 1881, it was the Own Convoy that bore the main burden not only of protecting the Tsar in the imperial residences, but also outside of them.

This text is an introductory fragment. author Zimin Igor Viktorovich

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The first information about the convoy in Russian military chronicles appears in 1775. On the occasion of the end of the war with Turkey and the celebration of peace at Kuchuk-Kainardzhi, at the suggestion of Prince Potemkin, who commanded all the irregular troops at that time, the Don and Chuguev court teams of Cossacks were formed by the ataman of the Don Army, Alexei Ivanovich Ilovaisky. Together with a life squadron selected from the hussar regiments, they formed Catherine II’s own convoy, intended to guard the Empress.

Life Guards Black Sea Cossack Division. Artist A.I. Gebens, 1858. Canvas, oil.

In November 1796, Paul I ordered the Don and Chuguev teams to be included in the Life Hussar-Cossack Regiment, which continued to serve as a guard for the Tsar and members of his family, although it no longer constituted its own convoy.
Functions of the convoy of Alexander I during foreign campaigns of 1813 - 1814. performed by the Life Guards Cossack Regiment, consisting of three Don squadrons and the Life Guards of the Black Sea Hundred, formed May 18, 1811. This date became the official date of the convoy. Black Sea residents took an active part in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The convoy holiday was established on October 4 (in honor of the distinction of the Black Sea Hundred in the Battle of Leipzig in 1813) - the day of St. Hierotheus.

As a regular unit intended for convoy service at the highest court, in 1828 the Life Guards Caucasian-Mountain Half-Squadron was formed from Caucasian highlanders. It included the princes and uzdens of Kabarda, representatives of the noble families of the Chechens, Kumyks, Lezgins, Nogais and other Caucasian peoples. They were commanded by Captain Sultan-Azamat-Girey, a descendant of the Crimean khans. The half-squadron was subordinate to the commander of the imperial headquarters, Adjutant General Benckendorff.

According to the states of 1830, a half-squadron was supposed to have five officers, nine cadets and 40 squires. The highlanders, with rare exceptions, did not know the Russian language at all. Many of them were practically illiterate. In August 1829, 17 people expressed a desire to enroll in the Noble Regiment to study. Benckendorff drew up rules that were to guide the command when dealing with new students. The rules took into account national traditions and customs and contributed to the rapprochement of people of different faiths:
“...Do not give pork and ham... Strictly prohibit the ridicule of the nobles and try to make friends with the highlanders with them... Do not teach guns and marching, trying to get the highlanders to spend their free time hunting... Do not subject them to corporal punishment: in general punish only through Ensign Tuganov, who knows better how to treat which people... Effendiy is allowed to visit the highlanders whenever he wishes, even in classes... So that during the prayers of the highlanders the nobles do not interfere with them... Observe so that they do not Only the teachers and nobles did not say anything bad about the faith of the mountaineers and did not advise changing it...” ( Petin S. His Imperial Majesty's own convoy. 1811-1911 Historical sketch. - St. Petersburg.. 1911.).

The presence of the highlanders in the Noble Regiment played a positive role. Despite the fact that some of them left, the majority wished to send their children or relatives to educational institutions. In June 1830, 40 young men arrived from the Caucasus in St. Petersburg. Subsequently, an average of 30 people were admitted to military educational institutions in the capital annually.

In 1832, a new unit appeared as part of the convoy, intended exclusively for guarding the Tsar - the Team of Caucasian Linear Cossacks. According to the staff, it consisted of two officers, four constables and 24 Cossacks; the uniforms and weapons for the Cossacks were the same as those for the Life Guards of the Caucasus-Mountain half-squadron.

Convoy uniform of Emperor Alexander II

Later, in 1836 and 1839, the Lezgin Team and the Muslim Team were formed. They were subordinate to the commander of the Life Guards of the Caucasian-Mountain half-squadron. The service life in the teams was set at four years.

With the accession of Alexander II to the throne, major changes occurred in the organization of the convoy. It began to consist of two squadrons: the Caucasian four-platoon Life Guards (1st platoon - Georgian Team, 2nd platoon - Highlanders Team, 3rd platoon - Lezgin Team, 4th platoon - Muslim Team) and the Life Guards Caucasian Cossack squadron, divided into two parts (one in service and the second on benefits). The Cossacks served in St. Petersburg for 3 years, after which they were assigned to their units in the Caucasus, and the highlanders - for 4 years. At the end of their stay in the convoy, all cadets and squires of the Life Guards of the Caucasian squadron were promoted to officers. The first commander of the convoy was appointed - aide-de-camp, Colonel Pyotr Romanovich Bagration, a descendant of the most ancient family of Georgian princes. All convoy personnel were subordinate to him.

In I860, in connection with the reorganization of the Cossack troops in the North Caucasus and the formation of two new ones - Kuban and Terek - changes occurred in the composition of the convoy. Since October 1867, the Life Guards Caucasian Cossack squadrons began to form two from the Kuban and one from the Terek army.
In May 1863, the Life Guards Crimean Tatar squadron was abolished. Three officers and 21 lower ranks were enlisted in His Majesty’s own convoy, forming from them the Life Guards Crimean Tatars Convoy Team.

Mountaineer Platoon Officer of the Convoy

Cossack convoys, unlike the mountaineers, had to carry out more intense guard and internal service: guarding the Tsar and members of his family during trips, on walks, while relaxing in country palaces and in the Crimea.

The convoys, both Cossacks and highlanders, were characterized by the high art of horseback riding and shooting from horseback. Even the youngest could shoot accurately at the target while galloping at full speed or bending down from the saddle to the ground and drawing along it with their hand. The more experienced ones rode sitting backwards, lying with their backs across the horse, standing on the saddle with their feet or on their heads. Racing while standing on two horses or when another comrade stood on the back of one escort was considered especially chic.

The Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 occupies a special page in the history of the convoy. In October 1876, Alexander II decided that in the event of war, the 2nd Kuban and Terek Cossack squadrons, which were on benefits, would become part of the active army as the convoy of its commander-in-chief. Cossacks gathered in the villages of Kavkazskaya and Prokhladnaya. They arrived in Chisinau on December 11, 1876. The Kuban troops were commanded by Colonel Zhukov, and the Terets troops were commanded by Captain Kulebyakin. In addition to the protection of the commander-in-chief, the field commandant of the active army, Major General Stein, who was in charge of the convoy, ordered the appointment of teams from the Cossacks to carry out police service on the Trade Square. Such use as police deeply outraged the convoys.


L.Gv. Caucasian squadron of Own E.I.V. Convoy

The Tertsy commander, Parfeny Terentyevich Kulebyakin, distinguished by his directness and decisiveness, who, by the way, was not only a dashing grunt, but also a talented self-taught poet, turned for help to Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev (in 1858-1864, the commander of the convoy), who was at that time under the commander-in-chief. Only after the intervention of the general, the commandant’s order, as not corresponding to the importance and responsibilities of the convoy service, was canceled. Subsequently, right up to the start of the campaign, the Cossacks were intensively engaged in exercises, shooting, carried out escort and reconnaissance service, and participated in field trips of the command.

At the beginning of August 1877, the Terek squadron received permission from the tsar to fight as part of the detachment of Major General Prince Imeretinsky. In the twentieth of August, the convoys took an active part in the famous case near Lovcha. Together with the Vladikavkaz Cossack Regiment and the Ossetian Division of the Caucasian Cossack Brigade, on August 22, on horseback, they attacked the selected Turkish infantry, which was several times larger in number, and cut down up to 4,000 enemy soldiers and officers.

On August 26, the Terek Life Guards squadron returned to the Main Apartment. The Tsar, having learned from the report of Captain Kulebyakin that the convoys had attacked the Turkish infantry, was very surprised, since history did not know many examples when Cossack cavalry successfully acted against enemy infantry in mounted formation.

At the end of September 1877, both Kuban convoy squadrons were sent to participate in hostilities as part of Major General Ellis' detachment. They distinguished themselves in the battles of Gorny Dubnyak and Telish.
For the courage and bravery shown in battles, the Kuban residents were awarded insignia on their headdresses with the inscription “For Distinction in the Turkish War of 1877 and 1878,” and the Terians were awarded “For Lovcha on August 22, 1877.”

On March 1, 1881, an attempt was made on Alexander II. At that moment, with the tsar’s crew were 6 lower ranks of the Life Guards of the Terek squadron, led by captain Kulebyakin. All of them received injuries of varying severity. One of them, a Cossack from the village of Chervlennaya Alexander Maleichev, died in the hospital. By order of Alexander III, the Maleichev family, his wife and four young children, were given an annual pension of 100 rubles. Pensions were also granted to other Cossacks who suffered on the day of the assassination attempt.

In December 1881, changes occurred in the convoy.

"ORDER ON THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT
St. Petersburg. December 2nd day 1881
The Sovereign Emperor deigned to command:
1) As part of... the convoy, form another Terek Cossack squadron according to the existing staff, assuming that all squadrons... have 6 officers: 1 captain, 1 staff captain, 1 lieutenant and 3 cornets.
2) The Kuban Cossack squadrons will retain their existing numbers, and the Terek squadrons will be assigned numbers 1st and 2nd.
3) Have one Kuban and one Terek squadron constantly in service and one squadron each on benefits...
6) In the order of recruitment and service of Cossack squadrons, be guided by the existing regulations about them, allowing changes in them: a) replace serving squadrons with preferential ones after .. 3 years, b) send regular squadrons in such a way that they arrive in St. St. Petersburg by October 15...
8) Life Guards Caucasian Squadron... disband the convoy... Adjutant General Vannovsky, head of the Military Ministry.”


After the events of 1905, the main residence of Emperor Nicholas II became the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe. In 1895, a convoy was transferred here from St. Petersburg, from the barracks on Shpalernaya Street No. 28. Hundreds were stationed partly in the Leningrad Guards. Hussar Regiment and L-Guards. Cuirassier. The officers lived in the building of the former Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, occupied the ground floor, and later in the building of the Palace Administration on the corner of Leontyevskaya and Srednyaya streets. Then temporary wooden barracks were built for the convoys on the outskirts of Alexander Park, next to the barracks of the 1st railway. battalion
In 1908, it was decided to build a church for the Convoy and Consolidated Regiment, according to the design of architect. A.N. Pomerantseva. On August 20, 1909, the laying took place, but according to the project of the architect. V.A. Pokrovsky. The construction was carried out in 1910-1912, then the construction of a group of buildings in the character of Russian civil architecture of the 17th century began. The author of the project is arch. S.S. Krichinsky, the complex was named “Fedorovsky Town”. The Convoy officers' meeting also became part of the complex.
By 1916, the construction of the arch. V.N. Maksimov barracks of His Majesty's Own convoy. Each hundred was located independently, having, to complete the amenities, electric lighting everywhere from the palace power plant, as well as water supply and sewerage.

Cossack Convoy E.I.V., early 20th century


On May 17, 1911, as part of the celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Convoy, a new anniversary St. George standard was nailed to the pole. The standard is made of red damask, in the middle is the face of Christ. The standard was accompanied by a lanyard and St. Andrew's ribbon.


The Emperor approached the standard, took the hammer presented to him by the commander of the Convoy and, in solemn silence, drove in the first nail with three blows. The second was driven in by the Heir Tsarevich, then by His Majesty's Viceroy in the Caucasus, Adjutant General Vorontsov-Dashkov, the Minister of the Court, the commander and officers of the Convoy, the atamans of the Caucasian Cossack troops and the lower ranks of the Convoy. After nailing the standard, sergeant Nikon Popov took it to the Grand Palace for storage. On May 18, the consecration of the standard and the parade took place on the square of the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace.

The Emperor in the uniform of Colonel E.I.V. Convoy


In the evening, a reception of deputations and a festive dinner were held in the new Convoy meeting. From the Kuban army the Convoy was presented with a silver kettledrum, a copy of the kettledrums granted to the Black Sea people by Catherine II. It was accompanied by kettledrums and a ladle in the form of a hat attached to a saber.

The Tertsy presented a silver brother, the Life Guards Cossack Regiment - a bronze group (the Life Guards Cossack and the Chernomorets defeat the French men-at-arms), the old-timers - two bronze groups of Cossacks, His Majesty's Own Consolidated Infantry Regiment - a silver "Old Russian" jug with a ladle, 1st railway regiment and cuirassiers of His Majesty's regiment - crystal brother in silver.


With the outbreak of the First World War, convoys continued to serve in the capital and Tsarskoe Selo. With the departure of Nicholas II to Headquarters, hundreds, periodically replacing each other, were with him. At the end of 1915, the tsar decided to temporarily assign the Cossacks of the convoy to combat units. The first to leave for the front in December 1915 was the 1st Life Guards Kuban Cossack Hundred of Yesaul Zhukov. On June 15, 1916, its commander reported to Headquarters: “... a hundred took part on May 28 and 29 in crossing the river. Prut near Vama... On June 5th, when a convoy of 1008 wagons with two heavy guns was captured... On the 6th - a hundred took height 451 near Kamenka... On the 7th - the crossing over Suceava was taken... and in the cavalry attack on the city of Radauce... On the 8th - they took part in the occupation of Gura-Gumara and on the 10th they took Campalung... On the 10th a machine gun was taken by hundreds, more than 300 prisoners... Received 147 St. George's crosses and 19 of the same medals... ."

On June 9, 1916, a tragic event occurred - Colonel Zhukov shot himself. He had long suffered from a hernia, which was not amenable to surgical treatment and did not allow him to be on a horse for a long time. Having taken command of the 2nd Kizlyar-Grebensky Regiment and participating with it in continuous battles, Zhukov was forced to make long marches on horseback. The disease worsened and began to cause excruciating suffering. The corps commander ordered him to go to the rear. The Kuban man of impeccable courage and extremely proud, fearing that his departure in the midst of hostilities could be regarded by his subordinates as a sign of cowardice, committed suicide. In order No. 193 of July 11, 1916, the convoy commander wrote: “...with all my heart I lament the untimely death of Colonel Zhukov, a wonderful, valiant officer and an excellent person. The kingdom of heaven to him!”

On March 4, 1917, the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Adjutant General Alekseev, issued order No. 344, the first paragraph of which read: “... the convoy of His Imperial Majesty, under the authority of the Commander of the Imperial Main Apartment, is to be included in the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and renamed the convoy of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief ...".

However, the Convoy units survived and continued their history after 1917, in Serbia, then in the USA, until the 70s of the last century. But I don’t presume to judge this story...
Letter from Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna to the assistant commander of the Division in 1957: “On the day of the holiday of our dear Owner. E.V. The convoy will be with you in thought as “California” Cossacks. May the Lord grant you the patience to endure your fate outside your home and homeland. I wish you all good health for many years to come! Olga, who loves you."

Tsarskoye Selo. Anniversary of Own E.I.V. Convoy


Used: article by Lieutenant Colonel N.D. Plotnikov, materials from the site regiment.ru, geglov2.narod.ru.

This medal is a rare monument to Russian military history. It was awarded to only a few hundred Cossacks and highlanders from His Imperial Majesty’s convoy. The medal was made from silver of the highest standard. On the obverse, around a very high relief depicting the king, there was an inscription: “B.M. Alexander II Emperor and Autocrat. All-Russian." On the reverse is the inscription “For service in the own convoy of the Sovereign Emperor Alexander Nikolaevich.”
The first medals were awarded to six Cossacks from the personal guard of Alexander II, who accompanied the emperor during the assassination attempt on him on March 1, 1881.

...The Emperor drove away from the Mikhailovsky Palace. Sofya Petrovskaya signaled to the “bombist” Rysakov. But he missed: the bomb exploded behind the carriage with Alexander II. All six Cossacks from the convoy of the Life Guards of the Tver squadron, led by Captain Kulebyakin, were injured. As a result of the explosion, all of them were wounded, and one of them, Alexander Maliechev, was mortally wounded. A boy who was passing by was also wounded. The Emperor remained unharmed. But instead of quickly leaving the scene, he ordered the coachman to stop and approached the wounded child. And then the second terrorist, Ignatius Grinevitsky, threw a bomb at his feet...
Actually, His Majesty's convoy was established long before these events. Back in 1828, Empress Catherine the Great was accompanied on her trips by Don Cossacks. Paul I did not have his own escort, although the Cossacks served as guards for the emperor and members of his family. Alexander I was only guarded by a Cossack regiment during his campaigns. It was only under Nicholas II that a full-time imperial convoy was created. It was called the Caucasian-Mountain half-squadron and consisted of Caucasian Uzdens and princes, Kabardians, Chechens, Kumyks, Lezgins and other representatives of the peoples of the Caucasus. According to the staff of 1830, the convoy consisted of 40 people with five officers. The mountaineers dressed in their national costumes (Circassians, round hats and hats), and were armed, in addition to a dagger and saber, with a bow and arrows in their quivers. Some of them wore chain mail and a helmet with aventail.
Emperor Alexander II did not like numerous guards. And therefore his personal convoy consisted of only two squadrons of Caucasians: the 1st platoon of Georgians, the 2nd platoon of highlanders (Chechens, Kumyks and others), the 3rd platoon of Lezgins, the 4th platoon of other Muslims. The convoy also included a team of Crimean Tatars. Later, Kuban and Terek Cossacks appeared.
The convoy accompanied the king on his trips. He carried security at the sovereign's office: usually a non-commissioned officer and two Cossacks stood “on guard.” During receptions and balls, seven lower ranks were appointed from the convoy “to take off their coats” at the Tsar’s entrance. At one time the convoy was commanded by adjutant Colonel Pyotr Romanovich Bagraton, and in 1858-1864. - Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev, father of the famous Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev. Serving as part of a convoy was extremely honorable: officers were appointed only with military education, and lower ranks were selected from among the tallest and most beautiful.
Alexander III, who replaced his predecessor on the throne, disbanded the convoy of the Caucasian squadron. Instead of immigrants from the North Caucasus - mountaineers - Terek and Kuban Cossacks began to be recruited into the convoy. However, later representatives of rare ethnic groups of the Caucasus began serving in the convoy again.
The uniform of the convoys was extremely elegant. The front door, for example, consisted of a red Circassian coat and a white beshmet. Gazyrs, a dagger and a saber are in silver, and the epaulettes of officers with the emperor’s monogram are also silver. The lower ranks had a red braided cord on their shoulders with an extension at the end, where the emblem of the sovereign was also placed. Papakhas were worn with a red top and metal ribbons for special inscriptions. Everyday Circassian woman had Blue colour with red trim and beshmet.
Emperor Nicholas II was the chief of many regiments and appeared in their uniform at parades. His portrait is known, where the Tsar is depicted on a black horse and in a red Circassian coat of His Majesty's Own convoy.
The imperial convoy, both “mountain” and “Cossack”, was at all times distinguished by the high art of horse riding. The guards knew how to shoot accurately at full gallop, could grab a scarf from the ground during a frisky career, gallop while standing in the saddle, and crawl under the belly of a galloping horse. They were admired and cared for. Alexander Khristoforovich Benkendorf, for example, personally drew up rules for treating mountain Muslims serving the tsar: “...Do not give pork and ham. Strictly prohibit the ridicule of the nobles and try to make friends with the highlanders... and do not teach marching, trying to get the highlanders to hunt in their free time... Do not subject them to corporal punishment: in general, punish only through Ensign Tuganov, who knows better how to deal with which people ... Effendius should be allowed to visit the highlanders whenever he wishes, even in the classrooms... So that during the highlanders’ prayers the nobles do not disturb them... Observe that not only the teachers, but also the nobles do not say anything bad about the faith and do not advise changing it...".
The convoys not only protected the king. They periodically participated in hostilities waged by the Russian army. For example, during Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 The Cossacks of the convoy fought very successfully as part of the Terek detachment. They distinguished themselves at Lovcha and for this they received insignia: the Kuban with the inscription on their hats “For distinction in the Turkish war of 1877-1878,” and the Tertsy - “For Lovcha on August 22, 1877.” Since then, copper ribbons with these words adorned the hats of the convoy until its disbandment. In 1915, hundreds of the convoy took part in battles with the Germans and fought so successfully that the convoys received 147 St. George's Crosses (some two or three) for their bravery.
After the abdication of Nicholas II from the throne on March 4, 1917, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, General Mikhail Vasilyevich Alekseev, by his order renamed His Majesty's Own convoy into the convoy of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and in June of the same year the convoy was disbanded and ceased to exist.
Thus this page of the glorious history of the Russian army was closed.

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