The photo “The third sotnia of the 11th Don Cossack Regiment” was taken in 1912. It portrays 98 Cossacks who served in the specified Don Host unit. Don Cossack Regiment No. 11 was first formed on May 26, 1835. Depending on the situation, it was assembled and later dismissed and transferred into the reserve.
Before the permanent regiment was established, the Cossacks had participated in the Crimean War and Caucasian campaigns. In 1873, a new regiment was drafted for foreign service in the Don region. Several years later, it was assigned its permanent number 11, became a first-priority regiment comprised of the youngest twenty-year-old Cossacks, and was not dismissed into the reserve any longer.
In the late 1870s, the entire regiment participated in the Russo-Turkish War in the Balkans.
In 1904, the regiment was named after Count Fyodor Denisov, General of the Cavalry, who was posthumously awarded the title of its permanent commander. Denisov was one of the Don Cossacks who rose to high ranks and received the Orders of Saint George of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes. He was known under the nickname Denis-Pasha, putting Turkish soldiers in fear. His military talent was praised by Suvorov, and even Emperor Paul I deferred to the general’s opinion.
The 11th Regiment named after Denisov successfully fought in World War I.
Each military unit had its own honorary distinctions and decorations. The 11th Don Cossack Regiment had the Banner of Saint George with an inscription “For distinguished service in the battle against the Turks on June 4, 1854, across the Cholok River”, cap badges “For distinguished service in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878”, and silky patches attached to the collar and cuffs.
In this photo, the Cossacks are portrayed in full gear, carrying a sword, an integral element of their uniform, and Mosin’s three-line rifle, the most widespread firearm in the Russian army during that time. The Cossacks stand in front of a large brick building. Above them are fabric banners “GOD SAVE THE TSAR” and a sign in the middle, reading “THE 3RD SOTNIA OF THE 11TH DON REGIMENT”.
Before the permanent regiment was established, the Cossacks had participated in the Crimean War and Caucasian campaigns. In 1873, a new regiment was drafted for foreign service in the Don region. Several years later, it was assigned its permanent number 11, became a first-priority regiment comprised of the youngest twenty-year-old Cossacks, and was not dismissed into the reserve any longer.
In the late 1870s, the entire regiment participated in the Russo-Turkish War in the Balkans.
In 1904, the regiment was named after Count Fyodor Denisov, General of the Cavalry, who was posthumously awarded the title of its permanent commander. Denisov was one of the Don Cossacks who rose to high ranks and received the Orders of Saint George of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes. He was known under the nickname Denis-Pasha, putting Turkish soldiers in fear. His military talent was praised by Suvorov, and even Emperor Paul I deferred to the general’s opinion.
The 11th Regiment named after Denisov successfully fought in World War I.
Each military unit had its own honorary distinctions and decorations. The 11th Don Cossack Regiment had the Banner of Saint George with an inscription “For distinguished service in the battle against the Turks on June 4, 1854, across the Cholok River”, cap badges “For distinguished service in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878”, and silky patches attached to the collar and cuffs.
In this photo, the Cossacks are portrayed in full gear, carrying a sword, an integral element of their uniform, and Mosin’s three-line rifle, the most widespread firearm in the Russian army during that time. The Cossacks stand in front of a large brick building. Above them are fabric banners “GOD SAVE THE TSAR” and a sign in the middle, reading “THE 3RD SOTNIA OF THE 11TH DON REGIMENT”.
