Battle of Kolding (1644)
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| Battle of Kolding | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Torstenson War | |||||||
 Swedish cavalry engagement | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Swedish Empire |
 Denmark-Norway | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Torsten Stålhandske Robert Douglas | Frederik von Buchwald | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 7,000 | 6,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 200 killed and wounded | 500 killed and wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Kolding[a] took place on 9 January 1644 outside Kolding in Jutland. In the opening engagement of the Torstenson War, a Swedish cavalry force under Torsten Stålhandske scattered a Danish detachment led by Frederik von Buchwald.
Long-standing competitors in the Baltic Sea, Swedish intervention in the Thirty Years' War led to increasing tension with Denmark. Concern over attempts by Christian IV to influence negotiations to end the war, combined with increases in tolls levied by Denmark on Baltic trade, Swedish Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna decided to initiate the Torstensson War. In December 1643, Swedish troops occupied the Danish territories of Halland and Blekinge, while Torsten Stålhandske advanced into Jutland.[1]
Battle
Stålhandske was besieging Kolding in eastern Jutland, when on 9 January 1644 his troops were confronted by cavalry under Frederik von Buchwald, whose family owned large estates in the area. The Danes were hastily assembled and poorly trained, while their opponents were experienced veterans of the Thirty Years' War. The Swedes, under Robert Douglas, charged their opponents, who retreated after some short but heavy fighting.[2]
Aftermath
The Danes fled north to Snoghøj, which surrendered on 11 January 11. Kolding was pillaged by the Swedes and the road north was open. The battle was, as mentioned, mainly a cavalry battle so most of the Dano-Norwegian soldiers escaped without injury and the casualties on both side were quite small.[2]