Formed in November 1918, it was first established as part of a reorganization of the White movement's Volunteer Army.

By October 14, 1919 it was Reorganized into the Volunteer Corps consisting of the Kornilov, Markov, Alekseev, and Drozdovsky Divisions.

The 1st Corps was reformed for the second time on April 16, 1920 from the Non-Cossack units evacuated from Novorossiysk.

During the Northern Tavria Offensive it lost 23% of its strength in three days of heavy fighting.

This Corps was the main strike force of First the Volunteer Army then the Armed Forces of Southern Russia, and Finally the Russian Army under the Command of General Wrangel in the Crimea.