The book contains materials written and published in different years by the famous historian V. M. Bezotosny. The desire to recall the stages of the path traveled and present together the sources, the research process and the historiographic component predetermined the composition of this book. It reflected the work of different times associated with the legendary era of 1812 and the history of the Cossacks. Some saw the light in popular magazines and were given without a scientific apparatus, many, on the contrary, were published in special scientific publications with an abundance of links, others were not even published or written for internal use. A selection of articles and documents was made, this book included the most interesting materials that did not lose their relevance. The main thing that unites the materials of the book is the desire to go from document to research, and then to analyze the state of modern historical science. It was and will always be interesting. This is the secret charm and attractiveness of our military history.