Siege of Fredrikstad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Fredrikstad
Part of the Swedish–Norwegian War of 1814
Map over Fredrikstad
Date 4 August 1814 Location Fredrikstad, Norway 59°12′19″N 10°57′0″E / 59.20528°N 10.95000°E / 59.20528; 10.95000 Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Norway	Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Christian Frederick Nils Christian Frederik Hals	Charles XIII of Sweden Crown Prince Charles John
Strength
1,100	6,000 50 gunboats
Casualties and losses
207 surrendered	7 killed 12 wounded

The Siege of Fredrikstad was a short but important battle. It happened on August 4, 1814, in Fredrikstad, Norway. This event was part of the Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814.

What Was the Siege of Fredrikstad?

The Siege of Fredrikstad was when Swedish forces attacked the Fredrikstad Fortress in Norway. The fortress was a strong defensive point. It was important for controlling the area.

The War of 1814

The Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814 was a conflict between Sweden and Norway. It happened after the Napoleonic Wars ended. Sweden wanted Norway to join a union with them. Norway wanted to be an independent country.

The Fortress of Fredrikstad

The Fredrikstad Fortress was a key military base. It was located in the city of Fredrikstad. The fortress was designed to protect the city from attacks. It had strong walls and cannons.

The Battle Begins

On August 4, 1814, Swedish forces attacked the fortress. They had many more soldiers than the Norwegians. The Swedish army also had 50 gunboats. These boats helped them attack from the water.

Who Was Involved?

The Norwegian forces inside the fortress were led by Nils Christian Frederik Hals. They had about 1,100 soldiers. The Swedish forces were much larger, with 6,000 soldiers. They were led by Charles XIII of Sweden and Crown Prince Charles John.

The Outcome

The battle did not last long. The Swedish forces quickly took control of the fortress. Most of the Norwegian soldiers had already left. Only 207 men remained inside. These remaining soldiers surrendered to the Swedes.

The Swedish army had very few losses. Only 7 of their soldiers were killed. Another 12 were wounded during the attack. This battle was a clear victory for Sweden. It helped them achieve their goal of uniting with Norway.