Factors Influencing the Number of Cossack Detachments in 1812 and in the Liberation Campaign of the Russian Army in 1813–1814

In this study, an attempt was made to determine the causes of fluctuations in the number of Cossack regiments during the period under review and to identify a possible relationship between this number and the ethnic composition of the command of Cossack detachments. It is concluded that the change in the numerical ratio of the Cossacks is primarily due to looting and sending numerous wagons to the Don from the theater of military operations. The appointment of ethnic Germans at the head of Cossack formations helped to reduce looting, since the new command, unlike the Cossack one, did not encourage it. Being on the territory of European countries precluded sending wagons with loot to the Don without the necessary documents. Thanks to the measures described above, the composition of Cossack regiments in 1813 was restored at the expense of Cossacks who returned from "business trips" to the Don with their wagons, and for this reason was no longer reduced.
Purpose: to determine the causes of fluctuations in the number of Cossack regiments during the period under review and to identify a possible relationship between this number and the ethnic composition of the command of Cossack detachments.
Methods: problem-chronological, anthropological and comparative-historical.
Results: the study revealed that a sharp drop in the number of Cossacks in the regiments by the end of 1812 and the restoration of their numbers by the end of 1813 was associated with looting and sending numerous wagons to the Don from the theater of military operations.