The Cross "For Service in the Caucasus" (1864)

The Cross "For service in the Caucasus" - represents a four-pointed cross with widened ends, in the center of which is a round shield with the state emblem of the Russian Empire (double-headed eagle). The shield is crossed by two crossed hilt-down swords. The inscriptions are made at the ends of the cross: on the left - “FOR SERVICE”, on the right, as a continuation of the inscription - “TO CAUCASUS”. At the upper end of the cross is placed the monogram of Emperor Alexander II , at the bottom there is a date - “1864”, which means the year the hostilities ended in the Caucasus . The back of the cross represents a smooth surface on which there is only a pin for attaching to clothing.

Cross "For service in the Caucasus"
A country	Russian empire
Type of	cross
Status	not awarded
Statistics
Established	July 12, 1864

In total, four varieties of the cross “For Service in the Caucasus” were minted, three of which (gold, silver and light bronze) were of the same size (48x48 mm), and the fourth variety was a smaller cross made of light bronze (34x34 mm). All four crosses differ from each other only in the quality of performance. For example, gold and silver crosses are made with false swords, a rosette and inscriptions, on the back of which there are pins for attaching to clothes. A bronze cross was minted from a single piece and had a simple pin on the back.

Crosses "For service in the Caucasus", which were worn on the left side of the chest, below all orders, were awarded to all the ranks of the Russian army, which took an active part in the war with the highlanders from 1859 to 1864. Awarding this or that kind of cross was carried out depending on the rank and merits to the fatherland.

Officers were awarded the silver cross.

A bronze cross was awarded to all lower military ranks (including the Caucasian militia) and numerous volunteers who took part in various battles, as well as all government officials, priests and doctors who performed their functional duties during military operations.

Subsequently, the form of the cross "For service in the Caucasus" migrated to regimental insignia of several military units of the tsarist army, distinguished themselves in battles with the highlanders in the Caucasus, and became their background, and in some cases even an integral part of overhead elements. The Caucasian cross was depicted in the coat of arms of the Kuban region . Also, a memorial Cross “For Port Arthur” was created on the model and likeness of the cross “For Service in the Caucasus ” .