Captured Cossacks and defectors in Manchu China (1653–1708)

A review of information on the number and personnel of Cossacks who were captured and voluntarily transferred to serve in the troops of the Manchu Qing Empire from Russian detachments operating in the territory of the Amur region in 1653–1689 is presented on the basis of published documents and those introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The change in the ratio of captured Cossacks and defectors throughout the period under consideration and the reasons that contributed to the decision to voluntarily transfer to serve the opposing side are analyzed in the article. The names and known biographical data of the Cossacks who actively collaborated with the command of the military units of the Manchu Eight-Banner Troops are given in the study. Lists of Cossacks from the Albazin and Yakut forts who were captured during the campaign to drive the Russians out of the Amur region by the Manchus and who actually formed the basis of the “Russian company” in the Manchu guard are presented. Individual examples of the actions of captured Cossacks who refused to cooperate with the Manchus even under threat of death are also given in the article. Changes in the functional use of captured Cossacks before and after the conclusion of the Nerchinsk Peace Treaty are noted in the presented material. The study of documents compiled by Cossacks in captivity and addressed to the authorities of the Russian state allows us to show that for some captured Cossacks, falling out of the usual socio-cultural environment leads to the formation of internal conflict and the desire to return to their familiar environment by any means.