Nyland and Tavastehus County Cavalry Regiment explained

Unit Name:Nyland and Tavastehus County Cavalry Regiment
Native Name:Nylands och Tavastehus läns kavalleriregemente
Country: Sweden
Branch:Swedish Army
Type:cavalry regiment
Dates:1618-1791
Notable Commanders:Torsten Stålhandske
Battles:First battle of Breitenfeld
Siege of Nuremberg
Battle of Lützen (1632)
Battle of Wittstock
Second battle of Breitenfeld

The Nyland and Tavastehus County Cavalry Regiment (Swedish: Nylands och Tavastehus läns kavalleriregemente) was a Swedish Army cavalry regiment located in the county of Nyland and Tavastehus that traced its origins back to the 17th Century. It was split in 1791.

History

The regiment has its origin in the Nyland cavalry (Swedish: Nylands ryttare) raised in 1618. In 1632, this unit was organized into a cavalry regiment. The regiment's soldiers were conscripted mainly from the county of Nyland and Tavastehus. It was one of the original eight Swedish cavalry regiments mentioned in the Swedish constitution of 1634. The regiment's first commander was Torsten Stålhandske. Finnish horsemen were also known as "Hakkapeliitat".

In the spring of 1700, the regiment was transferred to General Wellingk's army corps in Swedish Livonia. From 1702 on, the regiment, with six of its eight companies, had joined the main army. In 1705 - 1706 it was part of Carl Gustaf Rehnskiöld's corps. After the Battle of Poltava in 1709, the regiment was present at the capitulation in Perevolochna. The regiment had to be completely reraised. It was then stationed with the army in Finland. The regiment was part of General Armfeldt's army of 7,500 men which invaded Norway through Jämtland in August 1718.

The cavalry regiment was reorganized into Nyland and Tavastehus dragoon regiment in 1721. In 1791, the regiment was converted to infantry. The northern battalion was incorporated into Tavastehus county infantry regiment as its third battalion, while the southern battalion was incorporated into Nyland Infantry Regiment.

Campaigns

Organization

1690(?)

Commanding officers

Various

Names
Nylands ryttareNyland's horsemen1618 - 1632
Nylands och Tavastehus läns kavalleriregementeNyland and Tavastehus County Cavalry Regiment1632 - 1721
Nylands och Tavastehus dragonregementeNyland and Tavastehus Dragoon Regiment1721 - 1791
Designations
none -
Training grounds and garrison towns
Poltinaho, Hämeenlinna - 1791

See also

References