Jämtland Campaigns of 1808–1809 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jämtland Campaigns of 1808–1809
Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808–09
Armistice monument in Bleckåsen
Date 1808: August 1809: July Location Jämtland, Sweden Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Denmark-Norway
Commanders and leaders
1808: Unknown 1809: Georg Carl von Döbeln	1808: Carsten Gerhard Bang 1809: Georg Frederik von Krogh
Strength
1808: Unknown 1809: 900 men	1808: 1,200 men 1809: 1,800 men
Casualties and losses
1808: 6 wounded	1808: 1 killed 5 wounded

The Jämtland Campaigns of 1808–1809 were two times when soldiers from Denmark-Norway tried to invade Sweden's province of Jämtland. These events happened during the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809. Sweden won these campaigns.

The 1808 Campaign

In August 1808, Major Coldevin led about 644 Norwegian soldiers into Jämtland. His troops included musketeers, dragoons (soldiers on horseback), skiers, and artillerymen.

Challenges for the Norwegians

Major Coldevin's invasion faced problems early on. Some of his soldiers were unhappy and wanted to stop. Coldevin managed to convince them to keep going. His dragoons stayed loyal, so the group continued their march into Jämtland.

At the same time, Colonel Carsten Gerhard Bang also marched from Røros into Härjedalen with about 550 men. However, Colonel Bang's group did not fight in any battles during this campaign.

Reaching Swedish Defenses

After a difficult journey, Coldevin's troops reached a defensive position called Dove entrenchment on August 13. This entrenchment was a newly built fort. It did not have cannons or soldiers stationed there yet. Even so, Swedish scouts reported that 2,100 Norwegian soldiers were moving into Jämtland.

The Norwegians destroyed the Dove entrenchment. They then continued their march. On August 15, they reached another defensive position, Hjerpe entrenchment, near Järpen. This fort was built across a wide strait and was defended by two Swedish companies.

The Battle at Hjerpe

On August 16, the Norwegians attacked the Hjerpe entrenchment. The attack started around three in the afternoon and lasted until it got dark. This battle went on for about six hours.

The Norwegian attack was not successful. After the fighting, six Swedish soldiers were wounded, and one of them later died. The Norwegians had one soldier killed and five wounded. The next day, August 17, Major Coldevin decided to march back to Norway. This was because the Swedish troops at Hjerpe entrenchment had received more soldiers to help them.

The 1809 Campaign

In the spring and summer of 1809, Christian August, a leader from Norway, did not want to attack Sweden. But King Frederik VI of Denmark-Norway pushed him to do it.

Norwegian Advance into Jämtland

On July 2, Christian August ordered an attack on Jämtland from Trondheim. On July 10, a force of 1,800 Norwegian soldiers began their march. They were led by Major General Georg Frederik von Krogh. They crossed the border into Jämtland.

To stop the Norwegians, Georg Carl von Döbeln was sent with a battalion of the Hälsinge Regiment to Jämtland. Another battalion from Gävle was sent towards Härjedalen. More soldiers later arrived from the Life Grenadier Regiment and the Kalmar Regiment.

Capture of Hjärpe and Retreat

On July 16, the advancing Norwegian army captured the Hjärpe entrenchment. A Swedish force of 200 men, led by Colonel Theodore Nordenadler, had just left it. Soon after, the Norwegians also captured the villages of Mörsil and Mattmar.

However, a rumor reached the Norwegian army that Sweden and Russia had started peace talks. Because of this, von Krogh decided to retreat. He chose to direct his attack towards Härjedalen instead.

The Battle in Härjedalen

On July 24, the Swedish force of 900 men, led by von Döbeln, met the 1,800 Norwegian soldiers in Härjedalen. The Norwegians were defeated and had to retreat.

An agreement to stop fighting, called an armistice, was signed the next day. This happened at Bleckåsen in Alsens. One of the conditions was that all Norwegian troops had to leave Sweden by August 3. This condition was met.

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