“The Existence of the Donsky Troops to be Read out from January 3, 1570...” or The Birth of the 300-year Anniversary of the Donsky Troops (Part 2)

Abstract. The article continues the analysis of the initiative to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the “existence” (service) of the army in May 1870 in Novocherkassk. The article analyzes possible motives of the initiative of the military ataman M.I. Chertkova on the organization of the jubilee and the significance of the royal “mercies”, dedicated to the celebration. Among “mercies”, special attention is paid to increasing salaries of Cossack officers and the free transfer of urgent land to their owners in hereditary property. The main events of the anniversary are reflected in the work. The article provides data on financial costs, details of the main festive events. The Don Jubilee was one of the first regional examples of the unfolding “jubilee-mania” in Russia regarding events of the second half of XIX–beginning of XX centuries. Although the anniversary has common characteristics, it also possessed certain specific features, which are analyzed in the conclusion of the article.

Keywords: Don army, seniority, royal certificate, 300th anniversary, ataman M.I. Chertkov, Novocherkassk, military holidays.