Svensk Militärhistoria / Swedish Military History

 

 

Basic facts on the allotted (indelta) infantry of the army of Gustav III  (1788-90)

Allotted cavalry

Enlisted units

Auxiliary units

Main sources:

The drawings of the colours are based upon some photos I have taken while visiting the Swedish war archive. The details are based on the articles of Leif Törnqvist published in the Swedish army museums book "Between the imperial eagles" and the booklet " Med blå glob och tre kronor uti".

The uniform drawings are based on the war archives on-line pictures of CG Roos paintings from 1783. for details I have used the article of Leif Törnqvist in the Swedish army museums book "Between the imperial eagles" and some photos taken by Dan Schorr several years ago at the Swedish Army museum's library. The sources are however to some point contradictive. Since all sources refers to the work of  CG Roos, I have chosen to follow his version.

The other information found below are drawn from the two books by Julius Mankell  "Anteckningar rörande Svenska regementenas historia". and the "Anteckningar rörande Finska arméens och Finlands krigshistoria".  The books are written in 1860-70 so there might be some new facts that mr Mankell have missed. I have also used the Generalstabens "Sveriges krig åren 1808 och 1809", GH Jägerhorn, "I fält för Gustav III" (editor Petra and Pertti Hakkala), CG Aminoff "Nyuppsatta truppförband i Finland mellan 1770 och 1808" and the Army museums great book "Between the imperial eagles".

The campaign in Finland was limited to the area close to the border river of Kymmene älv. Since I don't expect anyone to be familiar with the geography in that area I have downloaded a map showing the situation during the early 1800-hundreds. The scale is 1:500 000.

Allotted (indelt) infantry

General information

The colours:

Since many of you are probably here to find appropriate colours to mount on 15 or 25 mm figures, you should know that many of the details are just too small to see in that scale. For that reason I have distorted some proportions and made some "simplifications" on the drawings on display. To compare with the originals, please check the photos.

The uniforms:

The navy blue colour of the m /1779 uniform has unfortunately been distorted. The rest of the colours are ok. I will fix the navy-blue when I have the spare time.

If you would like to have the drawings in Power-Point just send me an e-mail.

Upplands regemente

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as today's Uppsala county.

Colour m/1766 introduced in 1771

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1200 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788     

June              Transported to Helsingfors / Helsinki

3 August       Participate in the landings near Fredrikshamn / Hamnia

16 August     Marches from Borgå to the boarder.

September   Winter quarters in Svenskby between Elimä and Abborfors.

1789      

June              Part of the right or coastal division.

3 July            The regiment advances across the border at Abborrfors. The Division reaches Pyttis at the 5/7,
                      Kuppis 6/7, and on the 8/7 they participate in the fighting when the islet of Suttula is cleared from
                      Russian defenders. The attempt to take control of the Islet of Kymmene on the 9/7 fails however.

18 July          The new attempt to take control of the islets and the bridges leading to Högfors is a success.

19 July          Participate in some fights between Högfors and Saxala

21 July          The regiment is sent as reinforcements to the Anjala area. On arrival, they are immediately sent to face
                      the Russian force that has crossed the Kymmen river at Ummeljoki and Werälä. The Russian force
                      pulls back without any fight, and soon after the regiment is sent back to Kymmenegård.

26 August     Parts of the regiment is taken onboard on the Archipelago fleet and participate in the
                      first battle of Svensksund.

31 August     The regiment follows the archipelago fleet back to Helsingfors.     

Winter           Winter quarters in Ekenäs and Hangö.

1790

14 April         The regiment, who has spent the winter in the area of Hangö, is sent to Helsingfors in order to serve
                      on the archipelago fleet. According to J Mankell there are still 420 men left as a garrison at Hangö,
                      but it's not obvious that these men are from this regiment.

7 June           A force of 3000 men are set ashore at Koivisto/Björkö outside Viborg. The Upplanders, the light
                      dragoons and some of the Hussars marches to Ummeljoki on the road to St Petersburg. On the
                      8 June they are attacked by two squadrons of Russian cavalry. After a short fight , the Russians
                      withdraws.

18 June         The troops that has been ashore are taken on board again.

 

Skaraborgs regemente

The regiment was allotted in the eastern parts of the province of Västergötland.

Colour m/1761 introduced in 1763

Possible design of the colour introduced in 1804. It is possible that the colour should have only tw crowns, one in the black and one in the yellow corner.

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1200 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788 

September         The regiment is posted at the Danish / Norwegian border .

29 September   Three companies are surrounded at Kvistum, and forced to surrender to the Danish /Norwegian
                            invasion force. The remainder of the regiment is summoned to Gothenburg to defend the city.

1789

August                The regiment is transported to Finland and serves under the right or coastal division.

1 September     During the fighting's after the Russian landings at Broby, one battalion are sent as to support a
                            battalion from the Jönköping regiment, that is defending Broby, and that is under severe pressure.
                            The defenders manages to keep the road open long enough to let retreating Swedes slip out of
                            the trap.

2 September     The regiment takes up positions at Hirvenkoski

30 October        The regiment is a part of the right division and are sent to winter quarters in the area of Lovisa.

1790

26 January         The first battalion is sent to Helsingfors.

15 April               The second battalion is also sent to Helsingfors. The regiment is united at the castle of Sveaborg.

Early May           The second battalion is sent to the boarder at Abborfors.

14 June              The first battalion arrives at Abborfors.

15 June              The regiment has crossed the boarder and arrives to the village of Kuppis. The Russian garrison,
                            that only counts 400 men retreats to Kymmenegård without any resistance.

25 June              An assault on Suttila and Kymmenegård starts up, but a sudden rain forces the Swedes to abort
                            the operation. The next day the Russians abandon their positions and pulls back towards
                            Fredrikshamn. The bridges are repaired and the Swedes advances to Högfors.

9 July                  The troops at Kymmenegård gets ready to pull back in case that the Swedish archipelago fleet
                            is beaten in the naval battle at Svensksund. When the words of the victory reaches
                            Kymmenegård, the camp is set up again.

 

Åbo läns regemente

The regiment was allotted in the inland areas of the province of "Proper Finland".

Colour m/1686 B introduced in 1746

Two possible versions of the colour introduced in 1804

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1025 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788

Mid June        The regiment is summoned and marches to Anjala

18 July            The regiment crosses the border and moves to Liikala

22 July            The regiment reaches Hussala

1 August         Without order, the troops starts to break up and march for home. The mutiny is stopped after a speech
                        by the King Gustav III. The troops are persuaded to move on Fredrikshamn (Hamnia) instead.
                        After a four hour long  artillery duel with the city defenders the action is abandoned and they returns
                        to Hussala.

8 August         The regiment is pulled back to Anjala.

4 October      The Regiment is sent to Helsingfors (Helsinki) and are later sent home for winter quarters.

1789

3 May             The regimental vargering (reserve personal) are ordered to serve on the archipelago fleet.

12 May           The entire regiment are ordered to serve with the artillery. I am not sure if this mean, if they were to
                        man the cannons or just to serve as close defence and "extra hands".

30 October    The regiment sent home for winter quarters

1790

18 February   The Vargering is sent to serve at the archipelago fleet.

21 February   The regiment is sent to serve with the artillery.

 

Södermanlands regemente

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as today's Södermanlands county, but were also allotted in a part of Östergötland. 

Colour m/1686 B introduced in 1746

Colour m/1766 introduced in 1813

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1200 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788

June                     Transported to Helsingfors / Helsinki

3 August              Participate in the landings near Fredrikshamn / Hamnia and takes part in the fighting's at Sandby

26 August            Watches the border at Abborfors.

October               Transferred to the central division and takes winter quarters at Elimä

1789

July                       Deploy at Anjala and builds a bridge to open up  the escape route for the main army that has
                             invaded  the Russian Finland.

21 July                 The main army passes back over the bridge at Anjala. The regiment joins in on the march
                             towards Werelä.

8 August              Participate in the fights at Werelä when a heavy Russian attack across the river is repelled.

15 September    The entire regiment is sent from Werälä to face the Russian units that have crossed the river at
                             Ummeljoki. After just a few days they are sent on to Anjala.

27 September    The regiment is back at Werälä

October               The regiment is a part of the central division. They take winter quarters in the area of Artsjö and
                             Elimä.

1790

End of April         The regiment belongs to the central division.

5 may                   When the word of the Russian attacks across the river at Anjala and Hirfvenkoski, parts of the
                            
regiment are summoned in the village of Willikala. A small detachment of 60 men joins the group
                            
that is sent forward to Korhois to meet the Russians.

6 may                   The troops prepares for battle as they arrive to Korhois. The Västgöta-dal regiment and the
                            
60 men from the Södermanlands regiment and are deployed on the left flank. During the second
                            
phase of the battle, the Russians advances towards this flank and puts the Swedes under a
                            
severe gunfire. The Swedes are ordered to launch a counter attack, but due to the rough terrain
                            
they are disordered and are forced to retreat. At the same time words comes that Russian troops
                            
have managed to outflank them, a general withdraw to Willikala is ordered.

10 may                The manpower of the regiment is so low that they are merged into one battalion.

16 may                The regiment is sent to Ninimäki.

19 may                The troops in Ninimäki advances on the russians at Keltis backar (the hills of Keltis) The
                            
battalion lines up as no five from the road. The battle starts of in the during the early hours of
                            
the 20th may. There is a long period of exchanges of fire, but no one gets the upper hand.
                            
Some sources say four hours other say eight. in the morning. Finally the Swedish reserve
                            
makes a daring assault on the Russian artillery on the southern flank. The attack is successful
                            
and the entire Russian line are pulled back. The shortage of ammunition prevents the
                            
Swedes from making a follow-up attack.

20 may                When the Swedes have rested after the battle at Keltis, they start to advance. The Russians
                            
have abandoned the village of Keltis, on the 21st the bridge at Nappo is restored and the
                            
Swedes can continue the advances to Werälä where the Russians have dug in. The Swedish
                            
forces are not considered strong enough to try an attack, so the rest of the war is spent on
                            
watching the Russians.

 

Kronobergs regemente

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as today's Kronobergs county. 

Colour m/1766 introduced in 1768

      

Uniform m/1779 introduced in 1790. Meanwhile, the troops were ordered to change the old m/1765 uniform to a similar style.

 

Man power 1100 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788

July                One battalion is shipped to Helsingfors / Helsinki, Finland. The other one was left at home to
                       defend the southern or western border in case of a Danish / Norwegian invasion, but Mankell
                       gives no information on this matter
.

3 august        The battalion participate in the landing at Brackila, near Fredrikshamn / Hamnia.

August           Guards the border at Abborrfors

Winter            Transferred to the central division and takes winter quarters at Kungsböle.

1789    

28 June         Participate in the battle of Uttismalm. The battalion passes on the outside of a swamp and manages to
                       outflank the enemy, and forces them to retreat.

3 July             Takes part in the fighting's at Liikala, where the battalion together with the lifeguard performs a bayonet
                       assault and drives the Russians on the run.

22 July           Starts the withdrawal to Swedish territory.

Mid August   The other battalion is shipped to Finland, and are sent towards the front at Högfors. Due to the Russian
                       offensive, the battalion are pulled back without seeing any action. This battalion spends a short time
                       in Elimä before they are sent to Werälä where the regiment are joined.

Winter            The regiment belongs to the central division and are sent to winter quarters at Rängomäki and Packas.

1790    

28 April         Both battalions participate in the expedition to Valkiala. The expedition has two pursues, first to
                       
ease the pressure on Armfelt and his troops at pardakoski, secondly to loot the Russian magazines
                       
at Valkiala. One of the battalions forms together with a battalion from the Elvsbogs regiment the
                       
avant-garde. They are the first to cross the river and are immediately sent to clear out all Russian
                       
forces from Ukkola.

29 April         The regiment takes part in the battle at Valkiala. The first battalion are at the front when the
                       
Swedish column pushes through a narrow pass. They take some severe casualties but manage to
                       
open up the road so the others can move through and spread out. Both battalions takes part in the
                       
final assault where the Russians are forced to retreat.

5 May            The units at Valkiala are ordered back to the Ummeljokki on the Swedish side to counter the
                       
russian force that has captured Anjala.

6 May            One battalion is sent to Wilikala while the other is left at the bridge in Nappo. Their orders are to
                       
observe the advancing Russian force.

9 May            More russian troops crosses the border at Ummeljokki. They head north and force the battalion at
                       
Nappo to pull back, past Keltis and all the way to Ninimäki.

10 May          The battailon at Wilikala are first marched to Elimä and then sent to Ninimäki in order to reinforce
                       
the northern flank.

19 may          In the line up before the battle at the hills at Keltis (Keltis backar) one battalion is deployed next to
                       
the road, while the other is kept just behind as a reserve. The battle is fought in the early morning
                       
hours of the 20th of may as a typical line infantry battle. There is a heavy fire fight, but neither side
                       
manage to get the upper hand. Finally the reserve battalion, together with a battalion from the
                       
Östgöta infantry regiment, manages to push back the Russian jaegers and capture the artillery
                       
on the southern flank. The entire russian force abandon their positions, but the swedes have run
                       
too short on ammunition and are unable to make a pursuit.

20 may          After a rest, the re-supplied Swedes start to advance. Keltis is retaken and the bridge at Nappo is
                       
repaired. On the 21st they reaches Werälä where the Russians have taken up the defence. However
                       
no action is taken as the Russian position is considered too strong.

Summer        The regiment stays at Werelä until the peace is signed.

 

Jönköpings regemente

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as today's Jönköpings county 

Colour m/1686 B introduced in 1758

In my opinion the most likely version of the colour introduced in 1813.

In the war archive is a proposal from 1769 shown below. However, I find it unlikely that the regiment ever received any colours of this design.

      

Uniform m/1779 introduced in 1789-91 (note the light blue colour). Meanwhile, the troops were ordered to change the old m/1765 uniform to a similar style.

Man power 1100 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788

July                    One battalion is shipped to Helsingfors / Helsinki, Finland. The other one was left at home to
                           defend the southern or western border in case of a Danish / Norwegian invasion, but Mankell
                           gives no information on this matter
.

3 august            The battalion participate in the landing at Brackila, near Fredrikshamn / Hamnia.

August               Guards the border at Abborrfors

Winter                Transferred to the central division and takes winter quarters at Kungsböle.

1789

June                   When the main army crosses the river of Kymmene, the battalion is left to guard the bridge at Werelä.

3 July                 The battalion is sent to Liikala but doesn't appear to have participated in the fight.

14 July               The forces at Liikala are to Kaipias sent as reinforcements, but gets lost on the way. They arrive
                           too late.

22 July               Withdraws to Swedish territory with the main army. They are posted as border guards at Ummeljoki
                           and Werelä.

August               The other battalion is shipped to Finland and are sent to the coastal division at Högfors.

1 September    After the Russian victory in the first naval battle at Svensksund, the Russians take the initiative for
                           an offensive along the coast. The battalion at the coast are sent to guard a coastal defence battery
                           by Broby. When the Russian forces tries to land at Broby, the battalion takes up the fight. The
                           battalion is under severe pressure, but with some reinforcements they manages to hold the
                           ground, so that the retreating units from Högfors can slip out. The next day they are pulled back to
                           Abborrors.

15 October        The battalion at Keltis are sent to Savolax, while the other one are sent to the left division.

1790

April                   The regiment are sent to St Mickel on the Savolax front.

15 April             The regiment is a part of the avant-garde during the attack on Suomenniemi. One battalion is
                          
sent on the Russians at Kuivastensarari. The march is however too slow and the Russians
                          
gets away without a fight. Later the battalion are sent to Suomenniemi, but when the Swedes
                          
arrive the Russians are already gone.

16 April             The unit in Suomenniemi spots a large force advancing on them over the ice clad lake. The
                          
force believed to be the Russian main army, so the Swedes make a quick retreat to Kristina
                          
on the Swedish side of the border. On the 17th the king passes Kristina on his way back
                          
from the front. Now it becomes clear that the column  was mistaken for Russians, was the
                          
Swedish main force advancing. The embarrassed unit is immediately sent back to Suomenniemi

30 April             During the battle of Pardakoski, one battalion supports the shaken Vargerings battalions at
                          
Kärnakoski by launching a successful counter attack. Together with a battalion from the
                          
Svaolax regiment, the second battalion holds the Swedish right flank. Their presence makes
                          
the Russians to hold their positions. In the later stage of the battle, the Swedes on the right
                          
flank advances and tries to encircle the Russians. The Russians retreats without any major
                          
resistance.   

4 June                One battalion is assigned to the middle column during the attack on Savitaipal. The column
                          
takes their first objectives, but Armfelt decides to continue the assault on his own, without the
                          
support from the other two columns. The Russians can concentrate their fire on the single
                          
column, they take some heavy losses. The entire operation is called of and the troops are
                          
marched back to Kärnakoski.

 

Björneborgs regemente

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as the province of Satakunta.

Colour m/1686 B introduced in  1752

Colour m/1766 introduced in  1794

      

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1025 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788

June                  The regiment is summoned in Helsingfors ( Helsinki).

5-12 July           The regiment marches to the border at Anjala.

18 July              The second battalion is the first to cross the border and are later to capture Liikala

22 July              The regiment reaches Hussala

1 august           Without order, the troops starts to break up and march for home. The mutiny is stopped after a
                          speech by the King Gustav III. One battalion is sent to Fredrikshamn (Hamnia) instead. After a
                          four hour long  artillery duel with the city defenders the action is abandoned and they returns to.
                          Hussala The other battalion is sent to encircle the town and to make contact with the force that is
                          supposed to make a landing future east at Brackila. After a minor battle with some Russian jaegers
                          they get the message that no landing force is on the way, the battalion is pulled back to Hussala.

10 august         The regiment is pulled back to Anjala.

25 September The whole Swedish army evacuate Russian territory

5 October         The regiment is sent to Ummeljoki

Mid October     The regiment is split between the left division and the Savolax division. The battalions take winter
                           quarters at Peipola and Heinola.

1789

4 may                    Two companies takes part in the fails attack on Suomensilta. The advance comes to a bloody halt
     at Härkesilda and the unit is pulled back to Swedish territory again..

Early June         The vargerings battalion (reserve battalion) are on the march towards Heinola. The rest of the unit
                           have one battalion deployed at Heinola and two companies each in Kyro and Pumala.

13 June             Three companies forms the backbone in the desperate defence at Porosalmi

19 June             The Vargerinsbattalion are now at the scene at Porrosalmi, but due to a misunderstood order
                           they comes in the path of a Russian attack. The unit are scattered and takes to the woods. The rest
                           of the regiment follows the Savolax brigade on its retreat to Jorois.

21 July               One battalion takes the lead in the attack on the Russian defence at Parkumäki and plays a
                           decisive role in the battle.

22 July               The regiment reaches the straits of Laitasilta, just across Nyslott. The Swedes are not strong
                           enough to push across the straits, instead they start to build some defence works.

9 October          The first battalion defends the bridge at Laitasilta against an Russian surprise attack. The battalion
                           is however forced to retreat, but have managed to stall the Russians long enough. The other
                           battalion and parts of the Österbotten regiment gets there in time and launches a counter attack.
                           After some severe close combat the Russians are forced back to Nyslott again.

12 November    The regiment takes winter quarters in Savolax.

1790

Spring                The regiment is deployed to defend the crossings at Kallislaks/Nyslott

31 march           The vargering is absorbed by the regular batalions

Early may          One battalion is sent from Kallislaks to Pirtimäki near Pumala to strengthen the defence
                          
before an expected Russian attack.

5 may                 Shortly after 2 am the Russian attack starts. They advance on three columns towards the
                           
Swedish camp at Pirtimäki. The battle rages the entire morning. At 4 am about 100 men from
                           
the Savolax regiment arrives as reinforcements. The surprise of these fresh troops showing up
                           
in the rear of the Russian front, gives the defenders the chance to launch a counter charge that
                           
is strong enough to force the Russians abandon the operation and start to pull back to Pumala.
                           
At this moment the first parts of the Björneborg regiment arrives on the scene, and they are
                           
quickly sent to pursuit the retreating Russians

                            Mankell has no further notes on any activities at Kallilaks or Pumala.

 

Dalregementet

The regiment was allotted in approximately the same area as today's Dalarnas county.

  Colour m/1766 introduced in 1764(!) The colour is to be regarded as a prototype for the m/1766.

      

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1200 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788    

July                       The regiment is transported to Helsingfors / Helsinki

3 august               The regiment participate in the landing at Brackila, near Fredrikshamn / Hamnia.

August                  Guards the border at Högfors.

Autumn                 Deploy as costal defence in the are of Lovisa.

1789    

Spring                  As a part of the costal division, the regiment is deployed along the coast in order to repel
                              
Russian landings.

26 June                The regiment is deployed at Hirvenkoski as a preparation for the spring offensive on
                              
Fredrikshamn

6 July                    The regiment crosses the border and marches towards Kuppis.

19 July                  One battalion participate in the royal recognisance expedition between Högfors and
                              
Fredrikshamn.
                              After the fighting's at Saxala, the expedition are pulled back to Högfors.

24 august             One battalion are ordered to the archipelago fleet, and takes part in the first naval battle of
                              Svensksund.

2 September       Due to the Russian attacks along the coast, the regiment are pulled back to Abborfors

30 October          The regiment belongs to the costal division. It takes winter quarters in the area of Lovisa

1790

Spring                  The regiment is transferred from the costal to the central division, and are made responsible
                              
for the defence of the road at Anjala.

5 may                   Parts of the regiment is gathered in Willikala as a result of the Russian attacks at Anjala and
                              
Hirvenkoski. Later this day, parts of the unit is sent to Hirvenkoski.

6 May                   The regiment participate in the fighting's at Hirvenkoski. By performing a bayonet assault, the
                              regiment forces the Russians back across the river.

7 may                   The regiment is pulled back from Hirvenkoski and joins the forces in Willikala

8 may                   Once again the regiment is sent to Hirvenkoski where a Russian force has again crossed the
                             
river. When the Swedes arrives, the Russians pulls back to their side of the river without any
                             
resistance.

9 May                   Clears out a small island in the middle of the river. They also makes a try to take control of
                            
bridge and the other side of the river, but the Russians defend their side well, so the final
                            
crossing has to be abandoned.

12 June               The regiment is sent to the coastal division at Broby.

15 June               The regiment follows the advance of the costal division. When they reach Kuppis they face a
                            
Russian force of 400 men. The Russians realise that they are out numbered and retreats without
                            
resistence to Kymmenegård

25 June               An assault on Suttila and Kymmenegård starts up, but a sudden rain forces the Swedes to abort
                             the operation. The next day the Russians abandon their positions and pulls back towards
                             Fredrikshamn. The bridges are repaired and the Swedes advances to Högfors.

9 July                   The troops at Kymmenegård gets ready to pull back in case that the Swedish archipelago fleet
                             is beaten in the naval battle at Svensksund. When the words of the victory reaches
                             Kymmenegård, the camp is set up again.

    The Dalarnas fricorps and the regimental vargering (the reserve battalion)

1788    

September          The King Gustav III speaks to the peasantry and they respond by forming a freicorps to help
                             
defend the country against the Danish invasion.

16 October          The corps marches from Falun

22 October          The corps passes Karlstad and are sent to the front in Dalsland.

27 November      The corps leaves the border and heads home.

14 December     When back in Falun, the corps are disbanded.

1789    

Spring                  The peasantry decide to form a vargerings (reserve) battalion for the regular regiment. Normally
                             there should be one reserve for every two regular soldier, in this case 600 men. The new unit

                             however counts 1400 men. They are recruited and trained during the summer.

August                 The Dalvargering is shipped from Gävle to Hangö.

Autumn                The unit guards the coast of Nyland

30 September    100 men participate and distinguish themselves in the attack on the Russian stronghold on the
                             island of Elgön.

1790   

Mars                    The Dalvargering are sent to St Mickel on the Savolax front.

15 April               The unit is a part of the "avant garde" during the attack on Suomenniemi. They charges and
                             
takes control of a hill close to Pardakoski. They are joined by the Hälsinge vargering, and
                             
together the units drive off a Russian force that is defending the bridge. The Russians retreats
                             
to Kärnakoski, but are soon forced to abandon that position as well.

30 April                Before the expected Russian counter attack on Kärnakoski, the battalion is lined up on the brink
                             
south of the Kärnakoski bridge. The Russian centre charges across the frozen lake and
                             
threatens the back of the vargering. They falls in to an chaotic retreat, but when a battalion of
                             
the Jönköping regiment shows up, the vargering forms again and participate in a successful
                             
counter charge.

4 June                  The battalion is a part of the middle column during the attack on Savitapale. They manage to
                             
capture the first object, but when General Armfelt decides to continue the attack without the the
                             
other two columns, they form an easy target for the Russian defensive fire. They suffer heavy
                             
casualties, the assault fails and the entire force retreats to Kärnakoski.

                             The unit is disbanded after the war.

 

Tavastehus regemente

The regiment was allotted in the province of Tavastland, but some areas of Savolax and Österbotten was also included.

Colour m/1766 introduced in 1773

      

Uniform m/1779. I have no info about the time of the introduction

Man power 1025 numbers
Number of companies 8 Companies
Activities during the 1788-90 war:

1788 

12 June             The regiment arrives at Anjala

17 July               One battalion crosses the border and takes Liikala

22 July               One battalion is sent to Kaipias to act as flank guard to the main army, while the other battalion is
                           marched to  Menduharju.

8 august            Both battalions are pulled back to Keltis, on the Swedish side of the border.

October             The first battalion is subordinated to the left division and are sent home for winter quarters. The
                           second battalion is subordinated to the Savolax division and takes winter quarters in Heinola.

28 November    The second battalion are sent to Joensu in Carelia.

1789

3 may                 One battalion are still in Carelia. The other battalion and the vargering battalion (reserve
      personnel) are sent to serve on the archipelago fleet.

Mid May             Two companies are deployed at Pelgijärvi in Carelia.

17 may               Two companies participate in the surprise attack on the superior Russian garrison at Ruskiala
      church in Russian Carelia. The attack fails, but due to the heavy losses, the Russians  
      abandons the post and pulls back to Sordavala.

June                   There are no info regarding any fighting in Carelia during the time for the Russian offensive
      on Savolax. The battalion in Carelia is redeployed to Jorois.

5 July                  The battalion are sent forward to Jokkas in order to scout the Russians and if possible, take control
      of the village. They arrive the next day, and the Russian garrison immediately evacuates the village.

16 August          Parts of the battalion takes part in the failed attack on Pumala.

30 October        The regiment are sent to winter quarters. One battalion are at home, the other one stays in Savolax.

1790

Winter                Parts of the regiment is stationed in Pirtimäki in order to watch the Russians in Pumala. The rest
                          
of the regiment (5 companies) spends the winter at home.

13 February      The vargering is sent to join the artillery

28 March           Those parts of the regiment that has been at home during the winter are sent to join General
                          
Armfelt in St Michel.

18 April             When Armfelt launches the attack on Suomenniemi, the unit marches with the main column.
                          
When the column reaches the village the fighting's are already over.

5 may                 Shortly after 2 am the Russian attacks the camp at Pirtimäki/Pumala. The battle rages the entire
                          
morning. At 4 am about 100 men from the Savolax regiment arrives as reinforcements. The
                          
surprise of these fresh troops showing up in the rear of the Russian front, gives the defenders a
                          
chance to launch a counter charge. The action is strong enough to force the Russians to
                          
abandon their operation and start to pull back to Pumala. At this moment the first parts of the
                          
Björneborg regiment arrives on the scene, and they are quickly sent to pursuit the retreating
                          
Russians

Mid May            The parts of the regiment that is stationed in Pirtimäki are sent to Suomenniemi. The regiment
                          
is once again united.

4 June               During General Armfelts attack on Savitapale the regiment is split between two of the three
                          
columns. The left column are sent to encircle the stronghold and to attack from south. Due to the
                          
rough terrain their advance is delayed, and when finally is in position, the general assault by
                       &nbs