Andra Volontärregementet (The Second Volunteer regiment)

The Fleet and the Archipelago fleet were manned by both enlisted and allotted personnel. The enlisted, who were specialists and often experienced sailors, were organised in the Volunteer regiments. To increase the strength of the fleet a new regiment of 400 men were requited, The unit was based in Karlskrona.  (Nordisk familjeordbok, Stockholm 1912).

1789

On the 6 July, the regiment are ordered to serve on the fleet. During that period they takes part in the naval battle of Öland on the 26 July.

Armfelts jägarkår

A rifle corps formed in September 1788 by recruitment from the allotted regiments of  Åbo-, Björneborgs-, Tavastehus-, Nylands- and Österbotten. The unit held 13 officers and 250 NCOs and privates. In June 1789 a detachment of 32 men from Nylands dragoons and 15 artillerymen were added.

Activities in 1789

25 June             They are shipped across the Kymmene river at Werälä and takes control of the village of
                           Mäkikouvola. When this is done, the bridge laying can be carried out and the main army can
                           move into Russian territory.

28 June             100 men follows the King to Uttismalm

1 July                 Follows the King to Liikala.

21 July               Are pulled back from Liikala to Anjala.

22 July               Are a part of the force that are sent to face the Russian unit that has crossed the river at Ummeljoki
                           and Werälä. The Russian pulls back without any fight.

31 august          Are Deployed at Werälä.

21 October        Redeploys to Ummeljoki

30 October        Are a part of the left division. Takes winter quarters in the area of Nyby

1 November      Are once again moved to Werälä

1790

The reports by Julius Mankell on the activities by the Armfelts- and the Hjertas/Krämers jaegers activities during the 1790 campaign is confusing. The units pops up where an other should have been and the naming of the units is a mess... The allotted Kymmenegårds battalion were a part of the Hjertas/Krämers jägarkår, and the fact that he describe the activities by that "sub unit" does not make things easier.

I assume that the units were under the command of the division, in who's area they spent the winter of 1789-90. That gives the result that Krämers/Hjärtas Jägarkår belonged to the central division, while Armfelts jägarkår belonged to the left division.

If this is correct, one can assume that it is the Armfelts jägarkår that participate in the royal expedition towards Valkiala, as the expedition is launched from their area. Later Mankell reports that the Kymmenegårds battalion,  which should be under the central division as part of the Hjärtas/Krämers jägarkår, is deployed in Nappo on the 6th of may. That village lies right in the area to were the royal expedition has been retreating. And Nappo is far away from the central divisions deployment area.

Right or wrong, below are my notes on what Mankell states in his report. This is an are that may need some extra attention from someone because I can't sort it out right now.

Kraemers jägare

End of April       The unit is listed as under the command of the central division.

Hjärtas jägare

End of April       The Hjärtas jägare, former known as Armfelts jägare (see what I mean?) is under the command
                           of the left division.

28 April              The unit is in the village of Jala and participates in the royal expedition towards the Russian depot
                           in Valkiala. Together with some dragoons they crosses the river and provide cover as the main
                           force repairs the bridge. During that day they fight some minor actions against Cossacks by the
                           village of Ukkola (Nikola).

29 April              In the battle at Valikala, the corps supports a battalion from the Östgöta regiment as they are sent
                           to the Swedish left flank to prevent a Russian counter attack.

5 May                 The units in Valkiala is ordered to withdraw to the Swedish side of the river and to engage the
                           Russians at Ummeljoki.

Armfelts jägare

6 May                 One battalion is in Willikala.

10 May              The jaegers are assigned to the force that is sent forward to scout out the Russian position in
                           Werälä.

20 May              The force that has been along the road between Werälä and Elimä is ordered to move to Keltis
                           to participate in the battle. When they reach the bridge at Nappo they run into a large Russian
                           force, most likely the troops retreating after the battle at Keltis. The Swedes are forced back.

End of June       The unit is in Anjala.

See the Dalregiment in the section for the allotted infantry

Drufvas jägarkår

Rifle corps formed by recruiting among the allotted regiments in Finland.

1789

3 July                Half of the corps acts as Avant garde as the costal divisions advances from Abborfors to Högfors.
                          The remaining part of the corps marshes with the main force.

8 July                The corps participate in the attack that drives the Russians of the islet of Suttia.

9 July                They participate in the action that aims on driving the Russians of the islet of Kymmene. The attempt
                          fails however. .

19 July              100 men takes part in the royal recognisance between Högfors and Fredrikshamn. After some
                          clashes with the Russians in the area of Saxala, the whole expedition is pulled back to Högfors.
                          At the same time, another force of about 100 men tries to open up the road towards Memmelä
                          and Liikala, but they are also forced back.

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

1790

End of April     The corps belongs to the costal division.

Early May         The entire unit is gathered at Abborfors

10 May             One company is deployed in Willikala

3 June              The Russians at Abborfors abandon their positions in the Russian village. The jaegers crosses
                          the river, takes control of the village and advances to Pyttis.

15 June            The corps is deployed in Kuppis

23 June            The Mejerfelts friskyttar replaces the corps.

25 June            The corps takes part in the attack on Suttiala and Kymmenegård. The corps advances to the river
                          on the northern side of the road, but a sudden and heavy rain forces the Swedes to call of the
                          operation. Despite of this the Russian defenders abandons their positions the day after. They
                          retreats towards Fredrikshamn and the corps manages to advance and capture all of the area
                          to Högfors.

29 June            One squadron of Hussars and some one hundreds of jaegers and freikorps forms a recce party to
                          scout the Russian positions along the road towards Fredrikshamn. The party reaches Saxala
                          where the Russians have put up a strong defence.

9 July                The camp at Kymmenegård is taken down as the second naval battle of Svensksund starts. When
                          the word of the decisive Swedish victory gets known, the camp is established again.

Eherenmalmska bataljonen

Rifle battalion formed in 1789. In 1790, after the war, the regiment was merged with the Sandels fotjägare, the Storamiralens regemente and the Tornéhelmska bataljon. The new unit was named " the Second guards regiment"
( see the enlisted units for the new units history).

Af Enehielms (von Kraemers, Hiertas) jägarkår

Rifle corps formed in September 1788 by Elimä company, (the single company of Kymmengårds battalion) and Rautalampi company from Tavastahus regiment. In October 1788 the corps was reinforced by one NCO an 30 men from the  Änkedrottningens livregemente and one NCO and 25 men from the Stackelbergs regiment.

1789

On the 28th June they are sent across the river and captures Walkiala.

The corps are a part of the force that on the 14 July are sent towards Kaipias. The next day there are some heavy fighting's with the Russian defenders. The defence is strong and as the promised reinforcements from Liikala doesn't show up, the Swedes have to retreat to Kouvala and later to Werälä.

On the 21 July the Russians crosses the river at Werälä. The corps are pulled back to Ummeljoki. When the reinforcements arrive, they are soon back in Werälä again.

In august the HQ fear a Russian attack at Anjala, so the corps are sent there. Here they are to spend the rest of the campaign.

The corps belongs to the central division and takes winter quarters in the area of Artsjö and Elimä.

1790

See the notes under Armfelts jägarkår.

Första Volontärregementet (The First Volunteer regiment)

The Fleet and the Archipelago fleet were manned by both enlisted and allotted personnel. The enlisted, who were specialists and often experienced sailors, were organised in the Volunteer regiments. The first regiment can trace its routs to the Marine regiment that had been serving the Navy. The Volunteer regiment was based in Karlskrona and counted 700 men. (Nordisk familjeordbok, Stockholm 1912).

1789

On the 6 July, the regiment are ordered to serve on the fleet. During that period they takes part in the naval battle of Öland on the 26 July.

See the Helsinge regiment in the section for the allotted infantry

Hinzensterns infanteribataljon

This infantry battalion was formed in 1789 in Stralsund, Swedish Pommerania. The unit participated in the 1790 campaign in Finland  by serving on the Pomeranian squadron of the Archipelago fleet. After the war the unit was sent back to Stralsund and the men was distributed to the two garrison regiments there.

Invalidbataljonen (The Invalid Battalion)

On the 29 January 1790 an Invalid battalion is formed in Finland. The unit is to act as garrison in some towns in Finland, so that fresh units can be sent to the front.

Kuopio fribataljon

Already before the outbreak of the war the recruiting of this unit started. The battalion were suppose to hold 600 men divided on four companies. After only a few weeks they counted 173 men. 100 of these were sent to join the Savolax brigade in their push for the Nyslott castle. These men were never to return to the battalion. They are assumed to have formed the base of the Savolax fribataljon instead. In February 1789 the 1. company counted just 44 men, but was soon raised to 120. The third company was raised during the summer 1789, and the fourth during the autumn/winter, but the battalion never reached full strength. In April 1790 they counted 380 men.

Uniform:

Jackets and long pants were in dark blue, while yellow was used in the waist and for shoe laces. The lining were in white. The unit had carpuses or black hats.

1789

The first company formed the core of the ”Kuopio flotilla”, a naval unit  operating on the lake Saima.

1790

On the 13th of February a decision is made that the battalion is to join the newly formed Kaelian brigade. The brigade is summoned in Tomajärvi in April.  Due to shortages of food, the offensive actions ordered by the king are not performed. Instead the brigade is sent to St Mickel to support Armfelt in Suomenniemi.

Livkosackkåren

The Life Cossack corps was formed  in 1789 by Cavalry captain (rittmeister) Otto Samuel Kuylenstierna. The unit held 100 numbers. Julius Mankell claims that they were raised in Borgå in Finland, while other states that they were raised in proper Sweden. I think that Mankell has mixed them up with von Zelows Cossacks, that were raised in the southern Finland.

Uniform

Short boots, light blue long pants and cloak. Hussar jacket with a lot of ribs.

1789

30 oktober            The corps are in Åbo as garrison.

Meijerfeldts friskyttekår

Enlisted battalion formed in 1789 by Lieutenant General Johan August Meijerfeldt. The unit counted a total of 400 numbers split on four companies. The unit was recruited in southern Finland, mainly Nyland , Tavastland, Satakunta and Proper Finland. In October 1789 283 men were enlisted. Later that year a small artillery detachment of 19 men was incorporated. At the final munster in January 1791 the corps counted 289, including the dead. The corps held a high class and received some very good word at various occasions.

1789

Initially the unit is used for garrison duty in  Lovisa and at Abborfors. The corps follows the advancing army, and are at the end of July stationed in the vicinity of Kymmenegård. In august the corps are sent to Anjala to raise enforce the defence in case of a Russian attack. The winter is spent in Anjala as part of the central division.

1790

End of April     The corps belongs to the central division

5th May            The corps takes part in the fierce fighting's at Anjala and takes some heavy casualties. Among the
                          dead is the commander.

23 June            The corps is reorganised and they replace Drufvas jägare at Kuppis.

25 june              The corps takes part in the attack on Suttiala and Kymmenegård. The corps advances to the river
                          on the northern side of the road, but a sudden and heavy rain forces the Swedes to call of the
                          operation. Despite of this the Russian defenders abandons their positions the day after. They
                          retreats towards Fredrikshamn and the corps manages to advance and capture all of the area
                          to Högfors.

29 June            One squadron of Hussars and some one hundreds of jaegers and freikorps forms a recce party to
                          scout the Russian positions along the road towards Fredrikshamn. The party reaches Saxala
                          where the Russians have put up a strong defence.

9 July                The camp at Kymmenegård is taken down as the second naval battle of Svensksund starts. When
                          the word of the decisive Swedish victory gets known, the camp is established again.

Nordenskjölds regiment

The regiment are recruited in the early 1789 for the navy by Admiral Nordenskjöld. The regiment counts 400 men.

On the 6 July, the regiment are ordered to serve on the fleet. During that period they takes part in the naval battle of Öland on the 26 July.

Pielis bataljon

While the Carelian rifle corps were recruited in the southern parts of Swedish Carelia, other men were recruited further north in the area of Pielis and Nurmes. If they were intended for the rifle corps has not been not verified, but in spring 1789 these two northern companies are designated as the Pielis battalion. However, the battalion had no commander and no staff. In March 1790 the battalion held 299 numbers, 124 were vacant, and some 30 men had deserted. The battalion was disbanded after the war.

1790

On the 13th February the battalion is put under the command of the newly formed Karelian brigade. The brigade is summoned in Tomajärvi in April.

The battalion follows the rest of the brigade when they are ordered to march to St Mikel. In late June the battalion is mentioned as a part of the forces in Werälä.

Sandels fotjägare

Rifle battalion formed in "proper Sweden" during the war by Johan August Sandels. The unit held 600 men in one battalion.

1789

The unit is transported to Finland, but there are no info about when this takes place. In the late October they are with the central division, but are in mid December moved to Svartholmen.

1790

On the 18th of February the unit is ordered to serve on the archipelago fleet.

In 1790, after the war, the regiment was merged with the Storamiralens regemente, the Eherenmalmska bataljon and the Tornéhelmska bataljon. The new unit was named " the Second guards regiment" ( see the enlisted units).

Savolax fribataljon

The unit were to have 300 men divided on two companies. In spring 1789 there were about 80 vacant numbers. No battalion commander were assigned and the companies appears to have been used independently from each other. The 1.company saw action during the battle of Porosalmi in June 1789. G.H. Jägerhorn tells about two officers spending most of the battle in the first line to keep their company from running of. Later these men appears to have been distributed to regular units as drivers.

Storamiralens regemente

"The Grand Admirals regiment" was formed in Karlskrona in 1789 in order to add more man power to the fleet of the line. It held 1200 numbers.

On the 23 of August 1790, only nine days after the peace treaty had been signed, the king ordered the regiment to be disbanded. The order clearly states that there are personnel deployed in Finland as well back home on the naval base of Karlskrona. The enlisted men who had time left on their contracts were transferred, along with personnel from the Sandels fotjägare, the Eherenmalmska battalion and the Tornéhelmska battalion, to form the new " the Second guards regiment" ( see the enlisted units).

Tornéhelmska bataljonen

In 1789 this rifle battalion was formed by Ltn Tornéhjelm in proper Sweden.

1789

In late October the battalion is listed under the command of the left division and are sent to winter quarters in the area of Nyby. On the 10th October they are moved to Keltis.

1790

On the 18th February the battalion is ordered to serve on the archipelago fleet.

On the 21st of may the battalion, which appears to have left the area, is sent to Pyörilä.

On the 3rd of June the Russians makes an attack across the river at Pyörilä. The defender is forced to retreat, but after a few days the Russians returns to their side of the river and the Swedes can move in again.

 In 1790, after the war, the regiment was merged with the Sandels fotjägare, the Storamiralens regemente and the Tornéhelmska bataljon. The new unit was named " the Second guards regiment" ( see the enlisted units).

The Uleåborgs frikår and the Uleåborgs light infantry regiment

During autumn 1788 the governor of the county Österbotten made an agreement with the peasantry in the western parts of his county of forming a lantwehr unit. This unit was known as Uleåborgs frikår.

The corps held 2041 numbers and the unit was completed in December 1788. The organization of the corps is not verified but it appears to have been formed on 10 companies The personnel was requited “parish wise”, wish resulted in some big difference in the manpower of the companies. The smallest might have been the Salo company (92 men) while the Limingo company counted 290 men.

The biggest problem was the lack of officers. The “parent regiment”, Österbottens regiment, were doing service at the front ,and at the same time responsible for the units in Kajana. The problem was temporary solved by transferring officers from the Kajana battalion, but was later handled by recruiting former officers and NCOs.

During the 1789 summer campaign the corps were called for. The whole purpose of forming the unit was the defence of the county, but after a call for military aid from the governor in northern Carelia, some 790 volunteers marched for Kuopio. The task they were assigned was guarding and garrison duty, and pretty soon several men insisted on returning home. When plans were made to send the unit further down it came to open revolts. And large groups simply walked out... In December the entire corps were back home. The last note of the corps is dated in February 1790, instead, the Uleåborgs light infantry regiment shows up.

The regiment is a regular army unit not a “lantwehr”. The forming started in January 1790 and the unit was more or less completed in April. The regiment was counting 900 numbers formed on 8 companies. The regiment also held an artillery division of 50-60 men and 8 three-pounders. Approximately 50 percent of the regiment was recruited from the “frikår”, while the rest was recruited in other ways. About 100 men came from Västerbotten. During the 1790 campaign the regiment formed the core of the Kajana brigade.

In April the regiment moves east to watch the frontier in Kajana, but were soon ordered to reinforce the units on the Carelian front. When they reached Carelia they were ordered to Savolax, and finally to join the main army's left division. There are no reports on that the regiment ever participated in any battles. After the war the regiment was disbanded.

Uniform:

In 1789 black hat plumes are ordered.

In 1790 there is a record of a delivery of 966 outfits for the Kajana brigade. The figures fits the Uleåborgs regiment.

Zelows Kosackkår or Kungliga Kosackkåren. (Zelows Cossack corps or The Royal Cossack corps)

As early as autumn 1788 it appears that Gustav III had plans of forming his own cossack corps, at least he had made the drawings for their uniforms. The unit wasn't recruited until may or June 1789, when Carl Mauritz von Zelow got the mission to form a unit of four companies of 50 men each.

The corps was mainly recruited in southern Finland and Österbotten. The numbers were soon filled up but the quality of the men wasn't too good. At the munster in September 1790 142 numbers were filled up while 46 men, almost 25 percent, were listed as deserters. The troops were often described in words as "tramps, fugitives, and other suspicious individuals whom by severe insubordinations, murders, looting and desertions has become a story in the army." The access to horses turned up to be a problem. For that reason a foot rifle division with a different uniform was formed. In September 1790 that division held 51 men. The corps main task was guarding reconnaissance and as messengers. There are no information's about participation in any major battles. In September 1790 the corps were reduced to 50 men and it was disbanded in December the same year.

Uniform:

The mounted personnel had red jackets. Pants and shirts were black.

The rifle division were all dressed in blue with red ribs. Brown fur were used for collars

1789

By the end of august one company are in Keltis

On the 17th September 50 men arrives at Werälä

In October the corps is sent to winter quarters. A squadron belongs to the left division and are put in the area of Nyby, while the rest of the unit are under the command of the central division and takes quarters in the are of Artsjö and Elimä.

1790

By the end of April two squadron is listed under the command of the central division.

At the end of June, one squadron is listed to be in Anjala.