The reflection of Cossacks in the Russian military memoirs, diaries and letters of officers during the Major Caucasian War of the 19th century

The article considers memories, diaries and letters of the Russian officers – witnesses of the Cossacks participation in the Major Caucasian War of the 19th century. The author studies the peculiarities of the published memoirs as a source and a historiographic phenomenon in covering the Cossacks military history in the North Caucasus. Based on the analysis the conclusion is drawn on the significance of the memoir literature of the 19th century for studying the Cossacks phenomenon.