Regimental memo by L. A. Rzhevussky and G. P. Fisenko in the development of historical culture of the 1st Volga Regiment of the Tersk Cossack Army

Using the example of the Memoirs of the 1st Volga Regiment of the Terek Cossack Army by L. A. Rzhevussky and G. P. Fisenko, the article examines the role of regimental historiography in the development of the historical culture of the Terek Cossacks who were part of the regiment. The study of military historical works devoted to the history of regiments is very interesting, since they not only contain ideas about the past that are fixed in the mass consciousness of the regiment's representatives, but also contain meanings and judgments that are perceived by a social group at a certain period as valuable or even important components of collective self-identification. The research focuses on such issues as the identification of the author, the definition of tasks assigned to him by the official authorities and the command of the regiment, the identification of sources that formed the basis of the historical essay. Important for the research are the historical conditions in which the military historical work was created, the target audience for which it was intended, and the ways in which it was distributed to intended recipients. The study of regimental histories and memoirs requires an interdisciplinary approach combining historical research methods with a semiotic method and an identity approach. The novelty of the work is determined by the little-studied problem of the influence of regimental historiography on the development of the historical culture of the Cossacks, including the Terek. It is concluded that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, regimental histories and memos were one of the ways to study, preserve and broadcast the combat history of the regiment. Their appearance was actively promoted by the official authorities. It is shown that the regimental historiography, including the "Memo of the 1st Volga Regiment of the Tersk Cossack Army", emphasized the importance of historical memory and continuity, and also established certain algorithms of actions for military units in conditions of war or intra-state conflicts. In addition, the regimental stories and memos conveyed corporate values that contribute to the preservation of the collective identity of the social group.