Carl Gustaf Armfeldt

Carl Gustaf Armfeldt

Carl Gustaf Armfeldt was born in Swedish Ingria to lieutenant colonel Gustaf Armfelt and Anna Elisabet Brakel. Like other members of his family, Armfelt devoted himself to war and at seventeen years' age joined Nylands kavalleri as a cadet. In 1685, he left this position and left for France where he joined prince Ferdinand of Fürstenberg's regiment as a mere footsoldier. He campaigned in France for twelve years and returned to Sweden as a captain.

Great Northern War

Due to his military experience, he was employed in the Finnish army as a generaladjutant in 1701 and stayed with this army for most of the Great Northern War. He was named commander of the Finnish army in 1713.

During the long war, he distinguished himself in several occasions, especially during the defense of

1718 Norwegian Campaign

In 1717, Armfeldt was promoted to lieutenant general and commanded the Swedish force which on the orders of Charles XII of Sweden was sent into Norway to take Trondheim. Poorly equipped, Armfelt pulled out after the king fell at Fredriksten.

The ensuing disaster that struck his army is known as the Carolean Death March. On New Year's Eve 1718, he arrived at Norwegian Tydal, with 80 kilometers to the closest Swedish village in Jämtland. When the troops had marched 10 kilometers from Tydalen, a severe blizzard struck from the northwest. The bitter cold killed the guide on the very first day, and the army wandered blindly in the mountains (Sylan mountain range). On the following nights, hundreds more perished. Of the over 5,000 men who left Tydalen, only 2,100 were found alive on arrival at Duved.

Later life

In 1719, Armfelt was named governor of

He was married in 1700 to Lovisa Aminoff (1685–1741), daughter of cavalry captain Johan Fredrik Aminoff. Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt is his grandson.

References

• Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon. Vol. II. Stockholm. 1920.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Eirik Hornborg (1952). Karolinen Armfelt och kampen om Finland under Stora nordiska kriget.