The army in Finland during the last decades of Swedish rule, (1770 - 1809)

This book describes the army raised in Finland during the reigns of Gustav III and Gustav IV Adolf, the last decades of Swedish rule. It considers the organisation of the army and its role in the defence of Finland. Regimental records and official regulations have been used to illustrate the army's peacetime routine, which for the majority of officers and soldiers comprised a life as farmers punctuated by periods of training and public works. Subjects covered in the book range from discipline to uniforms. Special attention is paid to how an army whose official language was Swedish interacted with its Finnish-speaking soldiers. The book concludes with an examination of the mobilisation of the army, its performance in war and effectiveness as a fighting force.