Battle of Toverud

Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809

Toverud monument (Toverudstøtta)

Date	19–20 April 1808
Location	Toverud in Aurskog, Norway
Result	Dano-Norwegian victory

Belligerents

Sweden

Denmark–Norway

Commanders and leaders

Axel Otto Mörner (POW)

Christian August

Paul Weibye

Strength

250 men

2,200 men

Casualties and losses

6 dead
40 wounded
120 captured

Unknown

The Battle of Toverud was a skirmish at the farm Toverud in Aurskog on the night between 19 and 20 April 1808, as a part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809.

On April 14, 1808 the Swedish 2nd Brigade under Colonel Schwerin had crossed the Swedish-Norwegian border at Skillingfors and marched westwards towards Aurskog and Høland. Major Friederich Christopher von Ditten who was commander of the small Norwegian outposts stationed in the area, chose to pull his forces back across the river Glomma instead of attacking the Swedes. This meant that the road was open for Count Axel Otto Mörner's cavalry unit, who then occupied the undefended Blaker entrenchment on 16 April.

Prince Christian August had been informed about the Swedish attack and had ordered six companies and some dragoons, a total of 2,200 men, to march northwards from Råde, and on the evening of 18 April the prince and his forces spent the night at Trøgstad Church. It was during his stay there that he were told that the Swedes had captured Blaker entrenchment. So at dawn on 19 April he continued the quick march northwards towards Aurskog.

On the same day, Colonel Schwerin also sent a company northwards towards Blaker to reinforce Count Mörner, but at Killingmo they went right on one of the Norwegian vanguards and choose to retreat back to Colonel Schwerin's headquarters at Haneborg. Prince Christian August had thereby managed to cut off Count Mörner and his troops from the Swedish 2nd Brigade, and by ordering two of his companies to entrenched themselves on the farms in Rakkestad, the Prince intended to block Count Mörner's ability to retreat.

Major Paul Weibye had from Prince Christian August's plan advanced in the direction of Blaker with five companies and 40 dragoons to find a suitable place to stop the enemy, and chose to occupy Toverud farm in the afternoon on 19 April. Major Weibye lined up his soldiers with the front to the south, where the 250 Swedish soldiers under Count Mörner was stationed, while the light company was positioned further north towards Haneborg.

Count Mörner quickly realized that the Norwegian forces were about to encircle his troops and decided to quickly withdraw back to the main force at Haneborg. In all haste the Swedes began advancing towards the Norwegian positions around Rakkestad, but all the snow made it difficult for the Swedish forces to bypass parts of the Norwegian troops. This gave them no option, but to attack. Mörner chose to start the attack with a cavalry charge and sent the Hussars first. Since the Norwegian soldiers fired their muskets too early this gave the Swedes a great advantage since the Norwegians did not have time to reload, and the defense broke down when the Hussars reached the Norwegian lines.

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Wikipedia