The Scottish Officers of Charles XII Author(s): George A. Sinclair Source: The Scottish Historical Review, Vol. 21, No. 83 (Apr., 1924), pp. 178-192 Published by: Edinburgh University Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25519662 Accessed: 19/02/2010 07:34

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http://www.jstor.org The Scottish Officers of Charles XII.

publication of Count Adam Lewenhaupt's Biographical on THE Notes the Officers of Charles XII.1 has opened up a wide field of research for the historian. Whilst it is in no sense a com and characteristic are plete biographical dictionary details entirely are in lacking, particulars given abbreviated form of the various with which each man the dates regiments served, of his promotion, or capture, release, death retirement, and in many cases the chief minor in battles and engagements which he took part. Swedish biographers have already found the Notes invaluable, and these afford massive volumes will ample material for the Scottish * a genealogist; for in many families in Scotland tradition lingers of some ancestor who left his native land to achieve fame abroad but of whose descendants all trace has been lost. When we come to deal with the a is essential. The list word of warning contains many junior or or officers wounded killed in action made prisoners in , these men as in the but few of were, Thirty Years War, recruited overseas. not set out from They did from Scotland with the of a fortune before them. were prospect They fascinated by the of one of the most commanding personality extraordinary world has ever seen.3 A monarchs the large number of the officers 1 : av Karl XII.?s Officerare Biografiska anteckningar Adam Lewenhaupt. Stock holm : P. A. Norstedt & Soner's forlag, 19a 1. Two volumes. 2 to Reference should also be made the following Swedish biographical : dictionaries (1) Svenska Adelns Attertaflor, by Gabriel Anrep, , 1858 ; (2) Svenska Sldgtboken, by same, Stockholm, 1871 ; (3) Nordisk Familjebok, by Th. Westrin, 1875; and (4) Svensk Sl'dktbok,by K. A. K. Leijonhufvud, Stock holm, 1906. The Register till Personhistoriska Samfundet, by Carl Magnus contains Stenbock, Stockholm, 1909, particulars concerning historical portraits in .

See the brilliant series of in the known as episodes king's life, Karolinema, by von the Swedish novelist and poet, Verner Heidenstam, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1916. The volume has been translated into English under the title The Charles Men, London, Milford, 1922. Scottish Officers of Charles XIL 179 of Charles XII. were the direct descendants of Scotsmen, who had fought in Germany under Gustavus Adolphus and had acquired estates extensive in Sweden. Others joined the army from the had Scottish industrial class, which, since the reign of Eric XIV., settled towns in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and other large and no to and had contributed in small degree their prosperity a fair of the development. This class also supplied proportion rank men and file of the armies. Naturally these officers and as not as and the fought loyal subjects of the King, and Scots, task of sifting the pure Swede from the Swede of Scottish origin is not an one a easy and involves somewhat extensive knowledge of Swedish nomenclature. Familiar Scottish names abound in Sweden up to the present were either or day, but many families given adopted differ names. the surnames of ent The apparently found too much for them Colquhoun, MacDougall and Macpherson and shortened them into Gahn, Duvall and Fersen respectively. a were Quite number of Scotsmen ennobled under Swedish titles, which also tends to destroy their identity. For instance without research the of the Notes could independent reader Biographical not who was the tell that Captain Adam Pistolkors, captured by a of war for traced Russians and remained prisoner many years, to at his descent from George Scott, who went Sweden the was beginning of the seventeenth century and subsequently a under this name.4 The granted patent of nobility strange are even more ramifications of another prolific family complicated. of or Donat Two of the grandsons Donald Fyfe of Montrose, a Feif as he was called when he set up as merchant in Stockholm, two became the founders of noble families, the Adlerstolpes and who to the Ehrensparres. Another Scot, Jacob Fyfe, belonged as a different branch of this family, adopted the same calling was a Donald in the Swedish capital. He prominent burgher, and his three sons were all ennobled. The eldest of the brothers, was a Casten Feif, entered the civil service, and great favourite of Charles XIL, whose flight from Bender he planned, having a for him under the name of Peter procured passport Captain a own surname. Frisk. In 1715 he was made baron, retaining his The noble lines of Adlerstolpe, Ehrensparre and Feif have all died one out; but the Pfeiffs still figure in the Swedish Peerage,5 branch

4 means Pistolcross. Literally translated 6 Sveriges Adels Kalertder, published annually. 180 Hon. George A. Sinclair as created 1678 ranking with what is known the untitled nobility, as and the other branch created 1772 ranking barons. No history of the early years of Charles XII. or of his Scottish name officers would be complete which omitted the of General A certain Stuart of Carl Magnus Stuart. John Ochiltree, who became Master of the Horse in the pay of Eric XIV., and was General over the Scots in was afterwards appointed Sweden, the to bear the three silver stars of the Earls of granted right arms as our Arran upon his coat of by James VI.' blood relation.'6 career as a common About 1665 Carl Magnus Stuart began his sailor, joining the vessel called The Little Sportsman, but disliking a he over to He then took seafaring life crossed England. up the returned to and in study of fortifications, Sweden, conjunction with the great Swedish engineer general, Eric Dahlberg, put his to test in the fortresses of knowledge the improving Karlskrona and Vaxholm. In 1685, at the expense of Charles XL, he studied the works of the famous Vauban on the Continent, where he visited more than eighty fortresses and fought under the Emperor on return in the war against the Turks.7 The King his made him tutor to the Prince Charles, whom he taught geometry and the science of fortifications. Stuart carried the mantle of Charles XII. at his coronation and was responsible for the plan of his first campaign. In 1700 Frederick IV. of had invaded the territory of the Duke of -Gottorp, Charles's brother-in-law, and William III. considering Frederick the aggressor and anxious to sent a curb the maritime power of the Danes, combined Anglo Dutch fleet under Admirals Rooke and Allemonde to the Sound.8 The Swedish fleet of thirty-eight ships of the line, commanded by was on Wachmeister, approaching from Karlskrona the Baltic, the and successfully navigating dangerous strait of Flintrdnnen a (Flint-Furrow) effected junction with its allies. The Danish admiral, Gyldenlove, who had only guarded the usual channel called the Kungdjup (King's Deep), was thus outwitted and out and to take under the of numbered, compelled refuge guns Copen

6 Horace One Tear in Sweden, by Marryat, London, 1862, vol. ii. p. 481. Sec also The Scots Peerage, edited by Sir J. Balfour Paul, 1909, vol. vi. p. 513, under Stewart, Lord Avandale and Ochiltree. These stars appear in the centre of the shield of the present head of the family of Stuart (Untitled Nobility? Creation 1625). 7 A. The Scots in Sweden, by T. Fischer, Edin. 1907, p. 136. * Scandinavia, by R. Nisbet Bain, 1905, p. 317. Scottish Officers of Charles XII. 181

ha gen. The Swedish troop9 were then rowed across the Sound in large flat-bottomed boats protected by the three allied fleets, and landed at Humlebek in Zealand after a slight skirmish (August 4, 1700). These operations were carried out with great skill by Stuart as with Quartermaster-General, he having previously conferred the admiral and It was the English reconnoitred the ground.9 first occasion on which the young King showed the stuff of which he was made. With the water to fiery impatience he leapt into up his waist and reached the shore sword in hand before his army.10 Frederick alarmed at menace to IV., the his capital, hastily concluded with the at Traven peace Duke of Holstein-Gottorp dahl, conceding him full sovereignty, and this short and bloodless war came to an end in six weeks. But it finished Stuart's more active career as a was at soldier. He badly wounded in the thigh Humlebek, and although he could not follow the King in his he was subsequent campaigns, made Governor of Courland, which some he bravely defended for time against the Russians and a Poles. He was created baron in 1703, and died two years later in Stockholm.1 With his son Carl the barony became extinct. The family of Wright, which was ennobled in 1772 and still appears in the Swedish Peerage, fled from Scotland during the troubles of was Cromwell's rule.2 The first settler George as a son Wright, who started merchant in . His Henry, was who born in 1685 and died at the age of 81, had a long and life in the When a he was adventurous army. youth made prisoner by the Russians, and was sold as a slave for five roubles. On New Year's to near Night 1703 he escaped the Finnish army but five later was Viborg, years he recaptured, put in irons, and to walk the streets of St. bread. compelled Petersburg begging his He was offered his and a liberty large reward if he would betray the secrets of the fortress of Viborg, but he refused. In 1710 he and other officers a killed their guard, and after month's march 9 Charles XIL, by R. Nisbet Bain, 1895, p. 63. 10 Modern Europe, by T. H. Dyer, 1907, vol. iv. p. 130. 1 a There is large oil painting of C. M. Stuart in the Krigsskolan (Royal at on the outskirts of a Military Academy) Karlberg, Stockholm. It depicts fine a looking man, with blue eyes, in flowing wig and armour, bearing truncheon in his a a same right hand and sword in yellow hanger. In the room are three other portraits of Scottish generals, viz. (1) Jacob Duvall (MacDougall), 1589-1632, of whom later; (2) Arvid Forbus (Forbes), 1598-1665, Governor of Pomerania ; and Robert (3) Lichton, 1631-1692, Governor of Estland. 2 Marryat, vol. ii. p. 500. 182 Hon. George A. Sinclair through dense forests and wildernesses, they reached Swedish in a the territory starving condition.8 Wright rejoined army under Generals Stenbock and Armfelt, and remained with it until 1762, four years before his death. He held a longer record of service in the Swedish army than most of Charles's officers, many at a as a result no of whom died comparatively early age doubt of the hardships of his campaigns and the privations they suffered war when prisoners of in Siberia. an than The Barony of Hamilton af Hageby is earlier creation that of the Swedish Counts Hamilton, which dates from the middle of the eighteenth century.4 The first baron, Major to on General Malcolm Hamilton, went Sweden in 1654, and his advice his younger brother Hugh or Hugo followed his example was made Director of about twenty-five years later. He Ordnance, and in the course of time rose to the rank of General. While a Commandant in Malmo in 1710 he made sortie against the . He also held a command Danes and captured several at the same a notable fact in the battle of Helsingborg in year, was itself, since this brilliant victory, which totally unexpected, a With an of caused great sensation throughout Europe. army raw and shoes Count recruits clad in goat skins wooden defeated a superior number of splendidly dressed and Danish and drove them out of Sweden.5 In equipped soldiers as the in Wester Norrland Baron 1718 general of army Hugo Russians to retreat. within Hamilton compelled 14,000 Dying somewhat six years of this achievement, his fame has been eclipsed his more and Mal by that of distinguished nephew namesake, colm's son, who was one of the bravest warriors of the Great was Lieutenant Northern War. This Baron Hugo Hamilton and com Colonel at the (November 20, 1700), at where manded the Ostgota Regiment Klissow (1702),

8 Fischer, p. 144. 4 The illustrated publication Svenska Atterna (Swedish Families), Stockholm, seats are at contains a volume on the Hamiltons. Their principal Boo, outnumber other Barsebacks and Hedensburg. The Hamiltons easily any family more that Fischer has of Scottish origin in Sweden to-day. It is all the surprising so little to say about them. 8 The other Stenbock was the foremost of the three great Caroline captains. To this Stenbock is known as the two were Rehnskjold and Lewenhaupt. day 4 of Sweden. He received letters of Saviour of Skane/ the southernmost province from a number of one from the Duke of congratulation celebrities, including of this to the Swedes can be over Marlborough. The importance victory hardly estimated. See Bain's Charles XII., p. 227, and Bain's Scandinavia, p. 336. Scottish Officers of Charles XII. 183 a Charles with force of only about 9000 men gained a complete over Saxons victory 20,000 and 12,000 Poles under Jerome was Lubomirski.6 Hamilton also present at the Battle of another defeat Fraustadt (1706), for Augustus, whose Saxon were almost annihilated. His general Schulenberg, who commanded 20,000 men, lost more than the total effective Swedish strength of the small army. For this extraordinary feat arms who was then in of Charles, pursuing the Russians a Lithuania, rewarded Rehnskjold with Marshal's baton.7 After the terrible disaster of Poltava (June 28, 1709) Hamilton was as to compelled Major-General take part in the Tsar's at sent to triumph Moscow, being Kazan in Eastern Russia. was it was was As nothing heard of him assumed that he dead and his son succeeded to his estates. When peace was concluded at Nystad (September 10, 1721) he returned to Sweden and King him with tokens Frederick overwhelmed of his gratitude, creating him General and Field Marshal. In 1746 Baron Hugo Hamilton on took his discharge and died shortly afterwards his estate of was Juna. The first Count Hamilton, Gustaf David Hamilton, a son of Baron Hugo, the Director of Ordnance. He also attained the rank of but his to a Field-Marshal, exploits belong later period of Swedish history. was The short-lived noble family of Cedersparre of Scottish was origin. Arvid Young, who born in Scotland, joined the as on Swedish navy Lieutenant, and later he settled in the country. Afterwards he became a merchant in Boras, where he died in son 1708.8 His Peter (1664-1757) entered the army and dis himself in the actions at He tinguished Pelkena and Storkyrko. was Colonel and was name promoted ennobled in 1716, taking the of Cedersparre. He left fifteen children, of whom ten died in this existed two infancy, but family for only generations after its founder. the Great Northern War During eight members of the Sinclair family held commissions in the army, Major-General who was born at was Carl Anders Sinclair, Gothenburg in 1674, at the Dwina in present the passage of 1701, where Charles across the river in transported his troops flat-bottomed barges in Modern vol. iv. The honour of Dyer's Europe, p. 136. the victory of Klissow to Charles for while Stuart belongs entirely XIL, planned the invasion of and devised the attack at the tactics Zealand, Rehnskjoid Narva, adopted at were own Klissow the king's (Bain's Scandinavia, p. 105). 7 Bain'* Scandinavia, pp. 136-8. Marryat, vol. ii. p. 489. 184 Hon. George A. Sinclair the of and who were face 30,000 Russians Saxons, strongly on the at posted opposite shore Diinamiinde.9 He also served under Lewenhaupt from 1704 to 1708. This Swedish general a over gained remarkable series of victories the combined Russians, two to Poles and Saxons, who outnumbered him by one.10 He defeated Prince Wiesnowiecki at Jacobstadt, captured the Peter's best important Polish fortress of Birse and routed general Sheremetev at Gemauerhof, an old castle near Mittau.1 But in 1708 when marching with his small and much diminished force to join Charles in the the Tsar intercepted and almost overwhelmed him with fourfold odds in the terrible battle of Lesna, which lasted two days. The Swedes fought with desperate attacks were forced gallantry, repulsing four furious before they to retreat. After incredible hardships Lewenhaupt, who had to cannon morasses stores and sink his in the and destroy all his the in ammunition, reached the headquarters of main army safety. was Sinclair took part in all those memorable battles, and cap tured at Poltava with his young kinsman Malcolm,2 then in his to in at the con -eighteenth year. The latter returned Sweden 1722 clusion of peace, but what fate befell theMajor-General is uncertain. in this It is unnecessary to repeat the information given review8 by Dr. Eric Etzel concerning the family of Spens, sons beyond saying that General Jacob Spens had two Carl one Gustaf and Axel.4 The latter was of the Swedish prisoners of war at Poltava and was sent to Siberia. After peace was the declared he went home, and was made Colonel of Vestgota See Karl XIUs Officerare, 1921. Count Adam Lewenhaupt includes in his at list Frans David Sinclair, who fought Narva, Riga, Saladen, Krasnokutsk and Poltava. 10 1 Bain's Scandinavia, p. 328. Bain's Charles XII., p. 156. 2 at Major Malcolm Sinclair was assassinated by the Russians Naumburg in Silesia whilst on a mission from Constantinople to Stockholm in 1739. See are S.H.R., vol. iv. p. 379, and vol. ix. p. 275. There three good portraits of him in Sweden, viz. (1) at Gripsholm Castle on Lake Malar, (2) in the Officers' Mess of Kungl Svea Lifgard (Royal Swedish Lifeguards), Stockholm, and (3) in Sinclair of Tranas. the possession of Count Gustaf 8 as to of Vol. ix. p. 276. See also the records J. Maule, p. 270, C. G. W. in this war. The last Montgomery, p. 272, and M. Nisbeth, p. 274, named a was several to all was was great fighter, wounded times, and, according accounts, 41 man of very violent temper. 4 a The father was created count in 1712. The present head of the family hai of this and his sons. There are also excellent interesting portraits general military portraits of Jacob Spens and Axel Spens in the Officers' Mess ofKungl Lifregementeti Aragoner (Royal Life Dragoon Regiment), Stockholm. Scottish Officers of Charles XII. 185

the Cavalry Regiment, subsequently commanding Lifregemente. As Lieutenant-General, Axel Spens suppressed the rising of the two Dalecarlian peasantry in 1743, and died years later when governor of the Province of Skane. For over a century (1676-1794) the family of Gerner flourished in as Sweden. The parents of Albrecht Gerner, who prospered a well-to-do merchant in Stockholm, are said to have fled from on account son Scotland of the religious troubles. His Andrew or was sent la as Anders by the Court Marshal Count de Gardie to rose to Swedish envoy Vienna, and eventually be speaker for the in He was raised to the Burghers Parliament. nobility and married Elizabeth Pfeiff (Fyfe), the daughter of the Bishop of Reval. His son Albrecht (1681-1775), who first studied at the was University of Uppsala and subsequently joined the army, on At thus of Scottish origin both sides. the victory of Holow czyn (July 4, 1708), which was the last pitched battle won by the was Charles against Russians, Ensign Albrecht Gerner wounded and had two horses shot under him. He succeeded in and the saving the standard, when king passed by after the battle was over at his Gerner stood the head of shattered regiment and saluted him with the broken stump. Both captains, both lieuten men ants and all the except thirteen had been killed or wounded. his Charles expressed admiration of his officer's heroism, and, if misfortune had not in future dogged his army, he would no doubt was sent to have promoted him. After Poltava Gerner Siberia, was means where he learnt Russian, which the of enabling him to escape. He gained the favour of the Governor, who allowed him to thus to over go hunting, giving him the opportunity win two peasants well acquainted with the district. With these men as set out summer guides he for Archangel in the of 1716. over After four weeks' journey through wild country Gerner heard the Russians, who had wearied of the adventure, talking of killing him. With bribes he induced them to go on, and reached his in whence he on a destination safety, embarked Portuguese to vessel for Lisbon, returning eventually Sweden. In sub sequent campaigns against Russia, in which his knowledge of the was no he language doubt useful, attained the rank of Colonel. were Although the Clercks principally connected with the sets out ten Swedish navy,5 Count Adam Lewenhaupt members 5 Three of them became viz. Robert admirals, (i) Clerck, 1604 1659 ? (2) Hans Clerck, the elder, 1607-1679 ; and (3) Hans Clerck, the younger, d. 1718. See S.H.R., vol. ix. p. 268. N 186 Hon. George A. Sinclair

of the family in his list.6 Carl, the son of Admiral Hans Clerck the at and was killed a at younger, fought Holowczyn, by shot Poltava at son the age of 25. Lorentz (1653-1720), of Admiral Hans was Clerck the elder, who became lieutenant-general and created a baron in has five to his 1707, pitched battles credit. Both his sons and took in the Hans Carl part war, the former being killed at to the Battle of Meskowitz. Thomas Clerck, who belonged same was at the branch of the family, present Petzur, Klissow and was at Holowczyn, and after Poltava kept prisoner Solikamsk. The MacDougalls are closely identified with Swedish military the must come a history, and the founder of family have of sturdy stock. In 1594 Albert MacDougall of Mackerston in Scotland crossed over to was Governor of Sweden, and appointed Orbyhus. to a He lived the age of hundred (1541-1641), married three times and had twelve children. to an According ' historian, quoted by man not Marryat,7 the children of the old did hide themselves in a sons corner,' and his nine all served in the Thirty Years' War. The most famous of them, Jacob MacDougall (1589-1632), as an the when he began ordinary musketeer in Swedish army was eighteen years old,and eventually became general commanding in him as one of his Silesia. Gustavus Adolphus, who regarded best officers, gave him the title of Baron Duvall,8 and the Monas as son tery of Liebus in Silesia barony. His Gustaf (1630-1692) was chamberlain to Queen Christina, and afterwards to her successor sent to to Charles X., who him London ostensibly on express his condolences the occasion of Cromwell's death, but in to the of reality, procure assistance the English fleet.* Axel Duvall one most con Apparently (1667-1750), of the was a son spicuous of Charles's men, of this Gustaf. He fought at Zealand, Narva, Dunamtinde, Riga, Klissow, Fraustadt, Holowczyn and Poltava, He shared the Turkish exile with and had a hand in the known as the Charles, *extraordinary affray Kalibalik of Bender, in which Old Ironhead,' as the Janissaries and with men called him, displayed unparalleled heroism, only 40 Turks and Tartars defended his mansion against 12,000 witbi 12 rose cannon.10 Axel Duvall to be Major-General, and 6 7 Karl Xll.'s Officerare, 1921. Vol. ii. p. 479. 8 a later In The present barony is creation, 1674. Sveriges Adels Kalender it is name spelt Duwall, and the of Scottish origin, MacDougall, is given. 9 Fischer, p. I 32. 10 212. means Bain's Charles XIL, p. Kalibalik the hunting down of difficult game.

1 3 * Scottish Officers of Charles XIL 187 was a made Baron and Knight of the Order of the Sword.1 Eighteen other members of the family of Duvall played their one was at part in the war, of whom Carl Albrecht present Zealand, Riga, Klissow, Thorn, and Poltava. to to was The first of the Hays emigrate Sweden Alexander Hay, who left Scotland about 1600 and married the rich widow a a in of Stockholm merchant named Plessan, becoming Colonel son was the Swedish army.2 His eldest Henry, who renowned for his knowledge of fortifications, served with distinction at the was of in 1658 under Charles X.3 He made Commander of Kockenhausen and was ennobled in 1689.4 ^*s two sons were in Henry Magnus and Carl Henry captured 1709 at the sent to The first named Dnieper and Tobolsk. conspired a to make with certain Lieutenant Seulenberg Prince Gagarin, Siberia and the Governor of the Province, King of White Russia of war.5 his with the assistance of the Swedish prisoners But plan was was tried and executed in betrayed, Gagarin Moscow, while Hay and Seulenberg were condemned to death by hanging sentence was the Tsar to in chains. The commuted by solitary confinement for life in two small caves. Whilst his fellow who must have been a prisoner died, Hay, tough fellow, survived and the intervention of the this cruel punishment, by Swedish was his in Ministry rescued from living grave 1724, Ten years was Both son later he promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. his and had the latter grandson distinguished military careers, attaining the rank of Major-General. Another Scotsman, Barthold Ennis, was sent to who Siberia after Poltava, had dealings with Prince of a more nature. was to use a Gagarin agreeable He able lathe and to and was ordered the Governor to make a weave, by costly silk ornamented with of tapestry flowers silver and gold for his his - castle. Ennis trained fellow prisoners, and with the to money they earned he helped improve the hard lot of the other Swedish captives. One of the Scottish officers of Charles XIL, Ensign Robert an events Petre, has left interesting diary of the of the Russian 1 It is said that on account of rights of succession in Scotland Axel Duvall resumed the former surname of his race, MacDougall.

2Marryat, vol. ii. p. 484 ; S.H.R., vol. ix. p. 270. 8Bain's Scandinavia, p. 251. 4 are His present descendants named in the Swedish Peerage. Another branch, created the title of Baron See 1815, held Haij. Sveriges Adels Kalender. 6 Fischer, p. 148. 188 Hon. George A. Sinclair

of He was the campaign 1702-1709.6 great grand-son of George Petre, Provost of Montrose, who died in 1627, and whose son and went to the to grandson Sweden, latter, Arboga, where about 1682 Robert was born. the author's Besides personal experiences the a account diary contains graphic of the marches, skirmishes and under as as con battles Lewenhaupt, well many technical details cerning equipment, arms, , regiments and divisions. This Swedish of whose later victories mention has great general, already been first success in when with made, gained his 1703 only 1300 men he utterly routed 5200 Poles and Russians in Lithuania. a For five years he formed connecting link between the King's in Baltic forces and the provinces.7 The Russians twice endeavoured to bribe Petre to enter their service. The first < offer was a handful of and six months in advance as a ducats,' ' pay I that I sworn Lieutenant of Dragoons. answered had the oath of to and that I would it as as allegiance my King, ' keep long not to so I lived,' writes Petre scornfully. People ought be foolish as to think I would barter away my soul's salvation for a sum came miserable of money.' The second attempt from near Prince Wiesnowiecki, to whose camp Mittau Petre and five others had been sent by his Colonel with complaints about the was conduct of the Polish soldiery. The embassy received by the Prince with every mark of respect; he drank the health of the Swedish general, and after plying the young ensign with cham pagne ended by offering him the rank of Captain in a German regiment of dragoons. During the winter of 1708-09 preceding the march against the were Russians at Poltava the sufferings of the Swedish army terrible. The cold was intense, the men's clothes were worn out were without shoes. and many hundreds Mazeppa, Hetman of the Cossacks, Charles's ally, and Count Carl Piper, his minister, advised a retreat into Poland, but the Swedish King preferred to to his worst listen Rehnskjold and continued advance. The of the march is thus described Petre :?' For ten period by days we a without a human marched through deserted country seeing forests and morasses I no being, passing through which, think, foot ever trod before or after us. We tasted neither bread nor meat a on and raw for nearly fortnight, living roots, turnips, even our had bread or cabbage-stalks. Not generals salt.

Published by Professor Quennersted in his Karolinska Krigare's Dag: B'dcker, Stockholm Lund. 1903. Republished 1922. 7 Bain's Scandinavia, p. 155. Scottish Officers of Charles XII. 189

we we Eatables which formerly would have refused with horror now swallowed with delight, as if they had been the finest the hours we had under marzipan ; during which encamped the in rain or snow now to us like open sky appeared hours spent in a one seen us our soft, downy bed. If any had in then state I not that he would have tears doubt but shed of pity. And yet, we were as so God be praised, saved from these from many other and at last at a dangers sufferings. Having arrived small village called Sewerin, we tasted what horse flesh was like.' Petre was ten captured about days before the battle (June 28, 1709), and died in 1725 soon after his return from Siberia. are The Swedish Ramsays connected with the Dalhousies in went to Scotland. John Ramsay, who first France and thence to Sweden in 1577, obtained proofs of his birth and status dated 1623 from David, Bishop of Brechin, several members of the and other which are Dalhousie family, notabilities, preserved in the archives at Stockholm.8 He is said to have been the son of who had a charter of the lands and George Ramsay, barony of exact Dalhousie (May 20, 1528), but his parentage is doubtful.9 He was ennobled in 1633 and died in 1657 in his hundredth sons were at year. His three educated Oxford and fell in the Thirty Years' War, and two of his descendants served under Charles XII. The first, Johan Carl (1675-1742), was wounded at the landing in Zealand in 1700, fought at Riga and Klissow, and after Poltava was sent to Kostroma, where he remained until was peace signed, being eventually promoted Major-General. The second, Alexander William (16801761), went with his to in was wounded on the to regiment Riga 1700, march Narva, in at took part many engagements, including the actions Ingritz (1702) and Systerback (1703), and in 1718 accompanied Charles to on his final campaign. Sir James Douglas, Lord of Dalkeith, had by his second wife a son to William, whom the lands of Whittinghame and Morton were In William his over secured. 1474 resigned rights Morton in favour of his nephew, James, first Earl of Morton. was He the ancestor of the Douglases of Whittinghame, whose

8 at The present head of the family, Mr. C. W. R. Ramsay, who resides to the north-east of a Lidingo, the picturesque suburb lying Stockholm, produced to me. His a facsimile of this interesting document coat-of-arms, spread eagle, is same as the that of the Ramsays of BamfF. 9 iii. See further The Scots Peerage, 1906, vol. p. 95, under Ramsay, Earl of Dalhousie. 190 Hon. George A. Sinclair an principal male line ended in heiress Elizabeth. The male line of Whittinghame is represented by the Counts Douglas in Sweden created Counts Skenninge and Barons of Skalby.10 The was first holder of these titles the celebrated Robert Douglas, as to rose who began life page Gustavus Adolphus and to the rank of Field-Marshal and Councillor of the Realm. He served three Swedish sovereigns, Gustavus, Christina and Charles X. As colonel he took part in the closing events of the Thirty Years' at War, and his dashing courage the decisive Battle of Jankov itch, near Prag in 1645, in which he commanded the left wing of was for the final downfall Jorstensson's army, mainly responsible war of the Imperialists.1 In the Polish of Charles X. Count Robert led the centre at the three days' Battle ofWarsaw (1656), where the combined Swedes and Brandenburgers 18,000 strong men.2 defeated John Casimir's army of 100,000 The field marshal died in 1662 of a fit of apoplexy brought on by excite he is said to have once boxed ment of temper.8 But although the a ears of the I)uke of Mecklenburg in towering rage because he to he was not so violent and had dared contradict him, overbearing as Count who was one of the few officers of his grandson, Otto, very was Charles XII. to desert to the enemy when all lost. The story of his wild career is told by Marryat:?' After wondrous was at sooner adventures he taken prisoner Pultowa, but than remain in idleness he entered the Russian service, where he as in a mur reappears Governor of Finland. Having passion a he was sent dered at table Russian general of police, prisoner to the to meet St. Petersburg. Peter Great, chancing Douglas a wheeling barrow with other convicts, straightway pardoned and reinstated him in all his high offices. No sentiment of honour towards the country of his birth influenced his conduct. In he the Russian fleet into stole the 1719 piloted 4 Norrkoping, bones of St. Henry (English) from the cathedral of Abo, carry 19 under Earl of The Scots Peerage, 1909,70!. vi. pp. 350-2, Douglas, Morton. The date of the Swedish creation is 1654. See Sveriges A dels Kalender under Douglas. 1 220 vol. ii. Bain's Scandinavia, p. ; Marryat, p. 462 ; Fischer, p. 130. 2 Bain's Scandinavia, p. 237. 3 There is a fine engraving of Count Robert Douglas in the Stadsbibliotek The vol. (Royal Library), Gothenburg. Spottiswoode Miscellany, ii., Edin., 1845, the ceremonial at his state funeral in Stockholm. reproduces magnificent 4 From the commencement of the eleventh century missionary work in Sweden was carried out chiefly by Englishmen. See Sweden, Historical and Statistical Handbook, edited by J, Guinchard, vol. i. p. 325, Stockholm, 1914. Scottish Officers of Charles XII. 191

to the name of ing them off St. Petersburg. Hence very Otto more was held in horror among the Finns. The wicked he became more were on a the honours lavished upon him, till, when com mission in , he caused a noble of high rank to be whipped to death. This was more than even the Czar could stand. Count Otto was advised to retire to his vast estates, where he was at still living in 1763, that time seventy-six years of age.'6 Another grandson of Robert, the founder of the Swedish line of Douglas, Count William, has fortunately for the credit of the a was a was family clean record of service. He brave soldier, and the first to enter the town at the of storming Reusch-Lemberg. He was to and was appointed adjutant Rehnskjold severely wounded at the Battle of Fraustadt. After Poltava he was at in where he confined Wologda Siberia, married Maria Hout man van a Bouchshoon, the daughter of Dutch merchant in the to was town. When he returned Sweden he promoted from Colonel to Major-General, and died at the age of eighty on his estate in Ostergotland. William Bennet of Grubet in Scotland had two sons,William were at and James, who born the beginning of the seventeenth century. The elder founded the Scottish branch, and the on account younger left home of the persecutions about 1640 the as and entered Swedish service, first Captain in Malmo and then as at Abo. He was raised to the Major nobility in 1675, and by his wife Christina, daughter of Colonel Kinimund, a naturalised Scotsman like himself, he had nineteen children. seems to a He have lived to great age, since he did not die until 1690. His son, William Bennet, ranks with Stuart as one of the most distinguished of Charles's officers. He was born in and the at the 1680, joined army age of fourteen, being promoted from to His sergeant (1699) Major-General (1717). bravery is still remembered in Sweden, if only for the fact that he was the means of saving the life of Charles XIL When the King had ventured too far impetuously from headquarters, and had been an surrounded by the enemy?not uncommon event for he in delighted dangerous exploits?Bennet fortunately appeared with a small of and cut a of retreat body men, way through the forces. There are stories of him overwhelming many subduing nobles and one refractory fighting against heavy odds. On occasion he and three others to no fewer than put flight forty Polish irregulars and burnt their village to the ground. He had 6 Vol. ii. p. 463. 192 Scottish Officers of Charles XII. a hand in all the great battles of the war, and, when the end came, Charles sent him back to Sweden to assist in the defence of Skane. In 171 o after the invasion of this province by the Danes Stenbock made him commander of the left wing of the Swedish army at the Battle of Helsingborg, and he materially contributed to his triumph. He was with his royal master at the fatal siege of Fredrikshall (Dec. 11, 1718), and was chosen by the army for the hard task of conveying the news of Charles's death to his sister, Princess Ulrica Leonora. In the following year Bennet was created a baron, and at the time of his death in 1740 he was Governor of Malmo and Lord-Lieutenant of the Province of Halland. His letters and journals have furnished the Swedish historian Nordberg with much material for his history of Charles XII. The present representative of the family has estates at to Bennet's descen Rosendal in Skane, and, according Fischer, dants were so numerous that in 1857 no less than thirty Barons Bennet were counted in Sweden. George A. Sinclair,