To the Issue of the Participation of the Don Cossack Units in the Russian-Japanese War

The article characterizes the participation of the Don Cossack units-the 4th Don Cossack Division and the 3rd Don Cossack Artillery Division in the Russian-Japanese war. The features of the composition and formation of this non-combatant priority, but preferential (reserve) Cossack division and its dispatch to the front are revealed. The participation of the Don units in the battles and battles of this war is shown, especially in raids into the enemy rear. The successful and unsuccessful military actions of the latter during the war are analyzed, as well as the reasons for the unsatisfactory use of the Cossack cavalry by the command of the Russian army during military operations. When describing the shortcomings of the actions of the Don Cossack units, both objective and particularly subjective reasons for this circumstance are comprehensively revealed. The article draws attention to the consideration of controversial issues present in historiography regarding the general assessment and particular examples of the actions of the Don Cossack units and subunits in various episodes of their combat participation. The conclusions about the combat contribution of the Don Cossacks to the general military actions of the Russian army during this war, the heroism, courage and military valor shown by the Cossacks, the level of their military training, the causes, content and consequences of the shortcomings, mistakes and miscalculations of the command of the army and tactical levels, directly Cossack officers are substantiated. Data on losses and the number of awarded Cossacks of these units during the war are given.