The first Polish descriptions of the Caucasus appeared in the eighteenth century thanks to some accounts od emissaries or missionaries who travelled there. The situation changed in the first half of the nineteenth century when tsar's authorities began to send to the Caucasus some Poles, earlier incorporating them by force into Russian troops which were there for occupation purpose. The process of obligatory incorporation Poles into Russian army constituted an act of punishment for Polish patriotic anti-Russian movements. Among Poles who were sent into exile to the Caucasus was a young patriot - Mateusz Gralewski. His compulsory military service in Russian army lasted there twelve years. As the result of his stay on the Caucasus was a book entitled "Kaukaz. Wspomnienia z dwunastoletniej niewoli" published in 1877 which is still waiting to be scholarly edited.