Jämtland Campaign (1808)

Jämtland Campaign of 1808
Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809
Date mid-August 1808 Location Jämtland, Sweden Result Swedish victory Dano-Norwegian retreat
Belligerents
Sweden	Denmark-Norway
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Carsten Gerhard Bang Maj. Coldevin
Strength
Unknown	1,200 men
Casualties and losses
1 dead 5 wounded	1 dead 3 lightly wounded 2 severely wounded

The Jämtland Campaign of 1808 was a Dano-Norwegian military campaign into the Swedish province of Jämtland during the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809.

Campaign

In mid-August, Major Coldevin began his invasion of Jämtland with 644 men, consisting of musketeers, dragoons, skiers and artillerymen. Coldevin's campaign would however soon encounter difficulties when parts of the army began to rebel. Coldevin managed however to prevent the rebellion by using threats, and since he still had the dragoons on his side the force continued their march into Jämtland.^[1] At the same time as Coldevin, Colonel Carsten Gerhard Bang also marched from Røros and into Härjedalen with about 550 men, but Colonel Bang's force did not take part in any battle during the campaign.^[1]

After many efforts Coldevin reached Dove entrenchment on August 13. The entrenchment had recently been built, but had not been equipped with cannons as well as no troops had been stations where, but Swedish scouts in the area still reported that 2,100 Norwegian troops were moving into Jämtland.^[1] Dove entrenchment was destroyed by the Norwegians before they continued their march, and reached Hjerpe entrenchment at Järpen on August 15. Hjerpe entrenchment was located across a wide strait and was defended by two Swedish companies.^[1]

On 16 August, the Norwegians attacked the entrenchment, and the unsuccessful assault lasted from about three o'clock in the afternoon until darkness fell. After the about six-hour-long battle the Swedes had lost one soldier, while five were wounded. The Norwegians had one dead while five were injured.^[2] On the following day, on 17 August, Coldevin began the march back to Norway after the Swedish troops at Hjerpe entrenchment had received reinforcements.^[1]

Aftermath

Colonel Bang was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog for his efforts during the campaign.^[3]

References