The Corps of the
General Lewenhaupt
At the battle of Lesnaya, 28 & 29 September
1708
by Vlad
Gromoboy
The
battle at Lesnaya is one of the key points of the
Carl XII's Russian campaign and raises many
disputes.
Recent Russian researches show
that total strength of Lewenhaupt's Corps was about
13 000, 6 500 of them were lost, captured or
deserted and only 6 503 joined on 15 October 1708
the main Swedish army under Carl
XII
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Peter the Great received
news about Lewenhaupt's march with lateness and
till the mid of September Russians couldn't find
his troops. But as soon as Swedish column was
occasionally found by Russian recognize troops,
Peter made all efforts to catch it.
From 23 to 26 September Russian
raiding parties three times attacked the end of
Lewenhaupt's column. On 27 September Russian
dragoons caught Swedish rearguard at Dolgi Mokh
village and Swedes repelled their attack only after
hard action. Lewenhaupt understood that Russians
had recognized him and their main forces could
attacked him at any time. He decided to take his
stand at Lesnaya and to contain Russians as long as
possible giving train time to escape.
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At the start of battle Lewenhaupt had
about 5 500 infantry and 3 000 cavalry with 16 pieces. The
rest of his Corps (2 000 infantry and 2 500 cavalry) were
sent to Propoisk to cover the retreat of the train and
returned on battlefield gradually.
Peter the Great had 10 infantry
battalions (4 830) and 9,5 dragoon regiments (6 795), total
11 625 with 19 3-pdr pieces on the morning September 29 and
also waited for a Corps under General Bour (8 dragoon
regiments, 4 876) but it was not at time for a start of the
battle. Russians attacked Swedish positions at 8 a.m. and
the bloody struggle continued with variable success till 5
p.m. when Bour arrived with reinforcements. Swedes were
repulsed from battlefield and covered at wagenbourg. The
fight abated only late at night. Russians stayed at
battlefield while Swedes were thrown in their train. The
most of Swedish troops were dispirited after all-day battle
and severe losses and Lewenhaupt decided to burn his train
and retreat to the Carl's army.
Dark night helped Swedes to lose contact
with Russians but on the morning Peter continued the pursuit
of the retreating Swedes. On 29 September Russian Brigadier
Pflug destroyed a 500-men detachment at Propoisk and
captured about 2,000 waggons. On 9 October general-major
Inflant caught 318 retreating Swedes at Starodub and took 1
colour.
Carl XII received news about
defeat at Lesnaia on 1/2 October. On 12/13 Lewenhaupt joined
Main army with a rest of his Corps at Rykhovo. From 13 000
survived only 6 503 without any supplies and artillery. The
train was either captured by Russians or destroyed during
retreat. Russians also took 16 pieces, 34 infantry colors,
10 cavalry standards and about 800-900 captives.
Corps under General Adam
Lewenhaupt
Infantry:
Helsinge (2 batt-s), Abo (1st
battalion), Osterbotten (2nd battalion), Nyland (2nd
battalion), Bjorneborg (2 batt-s), Uppland or A.
Lewengaupt (2 batt-s), Smoland or P. Barner (2 batt-s),
Abo-Bjorneborg-Nyland or G.J. Wrangel (2 batt-s),
Nerke-Varmland or Stael v. Holstein (1 bat.), C.A. De la
Gardie (2 batt-s), J.G. von der Osten-Sacken (1 bat.).
Total 17 battalions.
Cavalry:
Livland Adelsfan (2 coys,), Abo
Rytter regiment (8 coys), Karelska Rytter regiment (8
coys), Uppland Standsdragon regiment (8 coys), A.J. v.
Schlippenbach dragoon regiment (8 coys), G.C.
Schreiterfelt dragoon regiment (8 coys), G.R. Skoghe
dragoon squadron (4 coys), Karelska or B.F. Zoge
lantdragon squadron (4 coys), Oselska or J. Kaulbars
lantdragon squadron (4 coys). Total 54 coys.
Total strength was about 13 000 (7 500
infantry and 5 500 cavalry) with 16 pieces.
Distribution of the Lewenhaupt's troops
among regiments of the Main army on 16/17 October
1708.
Lewenhaupt joined Main army with 3 052
mounted and 3 451 foot soldiers. Total losses were about 50%
from total Corp's strength and largest losses suffered
infantry (55%). Taking into account shortage in Lewenhaupt's
regiments Carl decided to disband all infantry and weakest
cavalry regiments to reinforce troops of the Main army.
Total were distributed 3 451 infantrymen and 551 dragoons.
Regiment
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Disbanded
troop
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Strength
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Infantry
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Lifgardet till fots
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Uppland tremmaning
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445
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Smoland tremmaning
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322
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Nerke-Varmland
tremanning
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240
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Dal
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Helsinge
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424
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Nerke-Varmland
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Nyland
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311
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Abo-Bjorneborg-Nyland
tremanning
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351
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Vastmanland
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Bjorneborg
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420
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Abo
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140
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Vasterbotten
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De la Gardie
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387
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Osten-Sachen
battalion
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75
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Cavalry
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Nyland Rytter
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Zoge Dragoon Squadron
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181
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Schlippenbach
Dragoons
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Skoghe Dragoon
Squadron
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206
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Brandt Dragoon
Squadron
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164
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Remained only 6 cavalry regiments, total
2 501:
Livland Adelsfan
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2 coys, 143
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Abo rytter regiment
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8 coys, 651
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Karelska rytter
regiment
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8 coys, 509
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Uppland dragoon
regiment
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8 coys, 524
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A.J. v. Schlippenbach dragoon
regiment
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8 coys, 341 plus from table
above
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Schreiterfelt dragoon
regiment
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8 coys, 333
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These troops joined Main army and
continued the Russian campaign till the final on the banks
of Dnepr on June 30, 1709.
Organization
The Lewenhaupt's Corps included 3 types
of troops:
- Indelta or national troops
- Varvade or enlisted troops
- Land militia from Swedish Baltic
provinces
Indelta Troops
Indelta regiments were native provincial
troops maintained using a unique allotment system known as
the Indelningsverk. Indelta conscription applied only on
Swedish and Finish provinces and didn't include German and
Baltic lands. Each province was eternally to maintain one
regular regiment and raise one more temporary regiment
called tremmaning in a case of war. Indelta regiments were
called after district they formed from, while tremanning
(reserve) regiments were also called after chiefs. In
Lewenhaupt's campaign 1708 took part following indelta
infantry regiments:
- Helsinge - 2 batt-s
- Abo - 1st battalion
- Osterbotten - 2nd battalion
- Nyland - 2nd battalion
- Bjorneborg - 2 batt-s
- Uppland (Lewengaupt) tremannings - 2 batt-s
- Smoland (Barner) tremannings - 2 batt-s
- Abo-Bjorneborg-Nyland (Wrangel) tremanning - 2
batt-s
- Nerke-Varmland (Stael) tremanning - 1 bat.
Swedish infantry regiment consisted of 2
battalions, 4 companies each.
National mounted units were raised
through a system similar to Indelta known as Rusthalleres
(freeholders) who undertook to provide for a horse and a
rider in exchange for exemption from basic taxes.
- Abo Rytter regiment (8
coys),
- Karelska Rytter regiment (8 coys)
Besides Rusthaller conscription some
estates (tenant farmers on crown lands, households of clergy
and persons of rank) were to maintain dragoon troops on
their own. In Lewenhaup's Corps were:
- Uppland Standsdragon regiment
(8 coys),
- Karelska or B.F. Zoge lantdragon squadron (4 coys),
- Oselska or J. Kaulbars lantdragon squadron (4 coys)
Varvade Troops
In addition to the Indelta or native
provincial troops Sweden also had enlisted or Varvade troops
in its Baltic and German provinces. They were called after
their colonels and had the same organization as indelta. In
Lewenhaupt's campaign took part following Varvade troops (in
the brackets are name of provinces they raised
from):
- De la Gardie Infantry Rgt.
(Livland) &endash; 2 batt-s.
- A.J. v. Schlippenbach Dragoon Rgt. (Livland) - 8
coys
- Schreiterfelt Dragoon Rgt. (Livland) - 8 coys
- Skoghe Dragoon Squadron (Livland) - 4 coys
Livland dragoon regiments were organized
after 1700 Regulation and consisted of 8 coys of 86 each: 1
captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 8 NCO's, 2 corporals, 75
privates. In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies commanders were
colonel, lieutenant-colonel and major respectively.
Land Militia Troops
Swedish Baltic provinces (Estland,
Livland, Ingeria) didn't have Indelta system but maintained
own provincial militia troops. In Lewenhaupt's campaign 1708
took part only one land militia unit: Osten-Sachen battalion
raised in Saaremaa (Osel) district. It had standard
battalion organization.
Uniforms
Abo:
Karpus, blue coat with yellow lining and cuffs. Blue
breeches and yellow stockings.
Helsinge: blue karpus with yellow lining.
Blue coat with yellow lining and cuffs. Yellow cloth
breeches and stockings.
Osterbotten: blue karpus, blue coat with
brass buttons, yellow lining and cuffs, yellow
stockings.
Nyland: blue karpus, blue coat with
yellow lining and cuffs, yellow stockings.
Bjorneborg: Blue karpus, blue coat with
yellow lining and cuffs, blue breeches and yellow
stockings.
Upplands tremanningsregemente till fot
(Lewenhaupt): blue karpus (cap). Blue coat with brass
buttons, yellow lining and cuffs, Leather breeches and blue
cloth breeches, yellow stockings.
Smalands tremanningsregemente till fot
(Baner): Hat with yellow lace. Blue coat with brass buttons,
yellow cuffs and lining. Blue and black neckcloth, leather
or blue cloth breeches, yellow stockings.
Abo, Bjorneborg ach Nylands
tremanningsregemente till fot (Wrangel): Karpus (cap) or
hat, blue coat with yellow cuffs, blue breeches and yellow
stockings.
Narke-Varmlands tremanningsregemente till
fot (Posse, 1704 Stael von Holstein): Blue karpus (cap),
blue coat with yellow lining and cuffs, blue breeches and
yellow stockings.
C.A. De la Gardie: blue karpus with
yellow lining, braid and tuft. Blue coat with pewter
buttons, yellow lining and cuffs, yellow stockings.
J.G. von der Osten-Sacken: hat with
yellow braid. Blue coat with brass buttons, yellow lining
and cuffs. Yellow vest, breeches and stockings.
Livland Adelsfan: dark gray hat with blue
and yellow lace. Gray cloak with yellow lining, grey coat
with yellow lining and cuffs, leather vest and breeches.
Yellow schabraque and pistol covers.
Abo och Bjorneborg Rytter: hat, blue
coat.
Karelska Rytter: hat, blue coat.
Uppland Stands Dragoons: hat with silver
lace. Blue pajrock. Blue coat with brass buttons, yellow
lining and cuffs. Blue and white neckcloth, leather vest and
breeches. Yellow schabraque and pistol covers.
A.J. v. Schlippenbach Dragoons: hat with
yellow lace. Blue coat with brass buttons, blue kamisol and
leather breeches. Blue cloak with yellow lace on collar.
Blue schabraque and yellow pistol covers.
G.C. Schreiterfelt Dragoons: hat, blue
coat, leather vest and breeches, blue schabraque.
G.R. Skoghe Dragoons: hat with braid,
blue coat, leather vest and breeches.
Karelska (B.F. Zoge) lant dragoons: blue
coats.
Oselska (J. Kaulbars) lant dragoons: hat,
blue cloak with brass clasp and yellow lining. Blue coat
with brass buttons yellow lining and cuffs. Leather vest and
breeches, yellow schabraque.
For further information about Swedish
organization, uniforms and colours during the Great Northern
War 1700-21 see:
L.-E. Hoglund, A. Sallnas. The Great
Northern War 1700-1721. Swedish Colours and Uniforms.
Available from Dan Schorr's and Peter
Berry's sites.
Vlad
Gromoboy
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