High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Volunteer Army was an anti-Bolshevik army in South Russia during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920.The Volunteer Army began forming in November-December 1917 by General Mikhail Alekseev in Novocherkassk and General Lavr Kornilov and his supporters. Initially, the Volunteer Army included volunteering officers, cadets, students and Cossacks. On December 27, 1917 (January 9, 1918), the creation of the Volunteer Army was officially announced. Alekseev became its overall leader, Kornilov - its Commander-in-chief, General Alexander Lukomsky - its Chief of Staff, General Anton Denikin commander of the 1st Division and General Sergey Markov commander of 1st Officers regiment.