Alekseevtsy Cavalry

Most of the uniform detail comes from "The RCW 1917-1922: White Armies", by A. Deryabin, (AST), which is a Russian equivalent of the Osprey Men-At-Arms series.

Unlike the other coloured regiments, the Alekseevtsy infantry regiment seems to have had no cavalry of its own, and when the division was formed there is no indication that any was attached to it. It is possible that there was a small amount, but that it did not get recorded.

1st General Alekseev Horse Regiment

The General Alekseev Horse Regiment was one of the oldest in the Volunteer Army. It had basically no connection to the infantry unit of the same name though.

Captain: General Alekseev Cavalry Regiment	Private: General Alekseev Cavalry Regiment	Private: General Alekseev Cavalry Regiment	Officer's badge

Uniform was modeled on the Life-Guard Cavalier Regiment of the old Imperial Army (perhaps because it was also the most senior cavalry regiment). The caps were therefore peak-less, at least for rankers.

Once difference from the guards, however, was that the shoulder-boards for the ranks were piped white. That meant the trouser stripe was also white.

The shoulder-boards of officers had a stylised "A" in honour of General Alekseev. The form is like that shown on the officer's badge above.

Alekseevtsy MGs, Ukraine 1919

This Wikipedia photo would appear to be of an Alekseev cavalry unit, judging by the sabres some of the men have (although often given as the Alekseev Infantry). Note the visor-less coloured caps. If cavalry, the men are presumably tachanka crew.

Flags

I have seen this given as the Alekseev Cavalry Regiment's flag.

Sudoplatov shows this:

Cavalry units sometimes had a regimental HQ flag and a commander's flag,
so it is possible both are true. Considering the small size of the one Sudoplatov drew, it might be the commander's flag. Then other would be the regimental flag.

Brief History

The 1st Horse-Partisan Regiment was formed in time for the First Kuban Campaign, I think largely from small Don Cossack units. It then became the 1st Officer Horse Regiment on 25 March 1918. It was initially almost entirely officers and cadets.

After the retreat from Krasnodar, in spring and summer it fought in the Don Province. In the Second Kuban Campaign it was part of the 1st Infantry Division. Afterwards it was then transferred over to the Black Seacoast. On 27 February 1919 it was renamed the 1st General Alekseev Cavalry Regiment.

In summer 1919 there was a major reorganisation of the AFSR cavalry, as various units were merged and reformed. As a result, on 9 June 1919 the regiment was placed in the 1st Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division of the 5th Cavalry Corps. In July 1919 it added two squadrons of the 10th Novgorod Dragoon Regiment and two squadrons of the 10th Odessa Lancer Regiment. It operated with that division until winter 1920. In October 1919 it had 196 sabres and 16 machine-guns.

In 12 January 1920, due to heavy losses, the regiment became the 1st Composite Divizion of the 1st Composite Cavalry Regiment. After the evacuation from Novorossisyk to the Crimea, on 15 May it was reformed as the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division once more. On 21 August it became the Independent General Alekseev Horse in the 6th Cavalry Division.