successes of Russian weapons. In winter and summer they constituted the advanced guard of the army, unsatisfied either by need or by (un)benefits, such a situation is typical in places especially uninhabited. We especially owe it to the vigil and the military acumen that is innate in them that the enemy was nowhere able to hide his movements to our detriment, but was often repulsed and overcome through their own forces; and prompted by good will and zeal for service, in any case, wherever there was a deal with the enemy, in small and large skirmishes, and in the most general battles, they were the first to go into the fire, distinguished by extreme courage; by obedience to authority and the sacrifice of life itself, they gained great victories over the enemy; and the arguments of their courage, military skill, zeal and obedience in the actions that were entrusted to them by me, or by the generals of the detached troops who commanded them, were more surprising than what they did, rather than it being convenient to describe or rather praise them. And in a word, I conclude my testimony that this brave and useful Don Army, due to its excellent services rendered in the war, is worthy of the highest favor and mercies of the monarchs; I give it under my signature and seal. Little Russian Prilutsk Regiment in the village of Porfirovka on June 4, 1775.
The authentic one is signed: Count Rumyantsev.
II.
Letter from Prince V. Dolgorukov to Potemkin.
My dear sir Grigory Alexandrovich!
I cannot describe how pleased it is for me to fulfill the will of your Excellency by testifying to the commendable service of the Cossack regiments of the Don Army that were in the last war under my leadership, especially since my very position and justice oblige me to do so. From my reports to Her Imperial Majesty during the entire time that, by the Most High power of attorney, I had the honor of commanding the army, about the courageous exploits in every case with the enemy, the Cossacks of this army rendered, and from the intercession to which the most loyal
P. A. LASHKAREV,
I asked for the most merciful reward for their superiors, your Excellency to conclude, if you please, about the ways in which they achieved this justice. Fearless courage, tireless labors, zealous zeal and loyalty to the Most August Monarch were their leaders in fulfilling everything entrusted to them, and overcoming even the most impossible and contempt of all dangers, even death, where only their duty, the benefit of service and the glory of the fatherland demanded it. With such a means, the affairs entrusted to them could not be crowned with the desired successes, with which, deserving universal praise, they turn on themselves and the Most Merciful Monarch’s view. I, being confident that Your Excellency, as a fair boss, will not fail to use your petition in the respect worthy of these honored people, I take this opportunity to ask Your Excellency for the merciful protection and all those of the former of my team, who at one time were recommended by me for the services they rendered, to multiply all the gratitude of those who remain with true honor and unlimited devotion. Your Excellency's most humble servant -
Prince Vasily Dolgorukov.
III.
Commendable fin to the Don Army of Count Panin.
I, the undersigned, full general of the troops of Her Imperial Majesty, gave this letter of approval and praise from the Don Army to those regiments and commands which, under my leadership of the victorious Her Imperial Majesty of arms, were in the second army, under the main command of this army, marching ataman Grekov, in two companies against the Turks in the past 1769 and 1770, and who were both dispatched to pacify the people's state villain Pugachev's indignation, and when he approached Tsaritsyno, they themselves appeared to the troops pursuing this villain from me, testifying that the previous Don troops and their commanders, under both of my leaders, carried out their service with special care
SEVERAL DOCUMENTS RELEVANT. TO PROB:*. IN THE DON ARMY 1776 179
commendable to Her Imperial Majesty for loyalty, zeal,
courage, and with tireless labors.
On the original it says: Count Panin.
Letter from Potemkin to one of the senior members of the Don Army.
My dear sir Alexey Ivanovich.