The battle of Södra Stäket 1719 - summary
Introduction
The battle of Södra Stäket took place about 15 kilometers to the east of Stockholm in August 1719. Even though the event is not remembered as one of the great battle during the Great Nordic War (1700-1721) - the Swedish council of the realm at that time, Erik Sparre, describe the battle as "une petite affaire d'infanterie" - however, the outcome saved Stockholm from being sacked.
The aim of "The Sodra Staket Battlefield Archaeological Project" is to investigate the battlefield, redoubts and mass graves (one mass grave was actually discovered thirty years ago). Another goal is to establish if any Russian galleys sunk during the battle.
The battle
During the end of the Great Nordic War 1719, a Russian fleet consisting of 130 galleys, 100 sloops, 21 warships and 30 000 soldiers under the commander of amiral Apraksin terrorized the Swedish east coast. The operation was intended to force Sweden to sign a peace treaty.
At the 13th of August at 2 pm, Apraksin conducted an amphibious operation at Södra Stäket. This was an attempt to reach Stockholm through a back door with a division of galleys. During the landing operation six Russian battalions (about 3 000-6 000 soldiers) tried to capture two redoubts (divided by the inflow, see the map) and destroy some sunken cargo vessels that blocked the entrance.
Three of the Russian battalions disembarked on the southern side of the narrow inflow. Approximately 100 Swedish reservists assigned to the first redoubt (a timber construction) tried to endure the fight while awaiting reinforcements. Around 7 pm, the First Battalion with 350 infantryman arrived from the nearest located regiment. One hour later, the Second Battalion with another 470 man from the same regiment joined the front unit. Russian grenadiers tried to capture the first redoubt in an all out assault. Hand grenades flew back and forth between the two forces.
At the same time, on the northern side of the inflow about 700 meter to the west, three Russian battalions tried to capture the second redoubt (earthwork construction). Thanks to heavy firing from a Swedish galley squadron, and with the help from a small reserve unit, the Swedes dislodged the Russian force from its position.
The most intensive part of the battle lasted approximately for two hours. The casualties for the Swedes reached 100 men, and the Russians lost between 400-500 men. According to Swedish tradition, the battle has been known as a firm victory. From a Russian point of view, it was naturally seen as a great success. The written sources are full of contradictions which makes it difficult to interpret the actual course of events at Sodra Staket. But in new interpretations of the archive material, Swedish historians have started to question the outcome of the battle.
Map from the 18th century showing the order of battle. A) The first redoubt; B) the first entrance that was blocked by sunken cargo boats; C) the second entrance that was blocked by sunken cargo boats; D) the second redoubt.
The most intensive part of the battle lasted approximately for two hours. The casualties for the Swedes reached 100 men, and the Russians lost between 400-500 men. According to Swedish tradition, the battle has been known as a firm victory. From a Russian point of view, it was naturally seen as a great success. The written sources are full of contradictions which makes it difficult to interpret the actual course of events at Sodra Staket. But in new interpretations of the archive material, Swedish historians have started to question the outcome of the battle.
Archaeological field study
During the period 2004- 2005 a limited test examination was carried out on the battleground. The site covers an area of roughly 1200x800 m. In the spring 2006, the first official excavation was conducted by archaeologist from the National Heritage Board. The aim of this one week fieldwork was to establish the actual course of events around the timber fortification.
We found musket- and pistol balls, grape shots, hand grenade fragments (even one intact hand grenade), horseshoes, buttons, clasps, coins, rings, fragments from a clay-pipe, a piece of a rapier and half a fragment of a 2-pounder swivel gun. The fragments from the hand grenades showed us where the Russian grenadiers launched their attack against the redoubt. The finds of horseshoes, pistol balls and buck shots came more or less as a surprise. The two Swedish commanders never mentioned if Swedish or Russian cavalry where ever involved in the battle. Even though the artifacts could originate from a few mounted infantry officers, it is also possible that we are dealing with regular cavalry units.
We also found objects from construction of the timber fortification. One axe, wedges, drills, nails, bolts, one file and a knife blade (due to its length, perhaps a fighting knife).
The project will continue, and supplementing field studies are planned for the Sodra Staket battlefield within the next year.