Danish Army Records Background

The information in this article was extracted from the publication A Guide to Danish Army Units: Compiled from a study of Danish Military Records and Histories by Brentnall H. Barlow, Genealogical Society Research Department, December 1966. This article contains the introductions and descriptions of the army units publication. However, the compiled content about the army units themselves are accessible in the article Denmark Military Records.

Background
Only since King Christian IV's Kalmar War (1611-1613) has Denmark had a peace time army. Prior to this, the King relied upon the nobility to furnish from the peasantry the necessary troops for the various wars. In 1614, from his own royal estates, Christian IV raised the first permanent troops, from which some of the present Danish Army Regiments trace their beginnings.

In the following century, the Danish kings raised additional regiments on a recruited as well as a levied basis. These units often were released or consolidated after relatively short existence. The king more commonly commissioned various experienced men to raise additional regiments for the major wars of this period: The Thirty Years War (Danish periods 1618-1629 and 1643-1645), the Scania War (1657-1660), The Spanish Succession (1678-1679), the Disputes with the Dukes of Holstein (1689 and 1699-1700), and the Great Northern War (1709-1720).

King Frederick III formed a standing army of recruited regiments in 1660. Shortly thereafter, he raised additional levied regiments of infantry and cavalry. The levied infantry militia saw periods of activity, as well as times when they did not exist as organized units. The army reduction and reorganization in the early 1720s again resulted in the retention of the old tried units. Most of the Units that existed after this period have some of their records existing today.

Both Kings Christian VI and Frederick V had peaceful reigns. Only the threat of war with Russia (which did not materialize) in the period 1756-1763 gave cause to any great change. This occurred in the so-called "Saint Germain" period (1761-1767), when all the levied units were disbanded, and each recruited regiment received a definite levying district. Several older units were released, and a smaller number of newer units were formed to replace them.

Under Kings Christian VII and Frederick VI (the latter both as Crown Prince Regent and King), there was a long period in which the country maintained a status of armed neutrality (essentially 1780-1806) except when at war (1788, 1801, 1806-1814). During this period a number of changes of interest were made, besides the raising and releasing of units.
 * The "Annexed" Battalion from the Regimental Levying District was totally incorporated into the regiment in 1784. Instead of the previous three regular and one "annexed" battalions, the regiment was now to become comprised of two regular battalions only.
 * The cessation of active recruiting of foreigners began in 1774, and culminated in 1803 when each regiment was to drawn henceforth upon national levied men.
 * The reduction of the national militia in 1808 (raised first in 1801) was compensated by newly formed third and fourth "annexed" battalions of reservists for each regiment.

Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, a major army reorganization was made in 1817. Again, the old tried units were retained and most of the new war units were released.

Under Christian VIII, the army reorganized again in 1842. The old named units were abolished, with the infantry becoming numbered battalions, and the cavalry numbered dragoon regiments. Only the guard units avoided drastic alteration of designation.

Kings Frederick VII and Christian IX each saw a bitter war with the duchies - the Slesvig-Holstein Wars. While the first was won (1848-1850), the second was lost (1864) as well as the duchies. Various reserve units were raised during these wars, and some after.

The number of the various army units (infantry and cavalry being the most important) varied at different times as the following table will show:

Levied Units in Denmark have existed in the following periods:

For additional details, and further information see the historical supplement on "The Danish Army's Development" in the 1923 "Haandbog for Hæren" (FHL call no. 948.9 M23k).

Copenhagen in Denmark and Rendsborg in Holstein have long been the two main garrison towns of the Danish Army, but not exclusively so. The infantry, except the levied units, have always been garrisoned in the cities, as too many recruited soldiers found opportunities to desert otherwise. The city magistrates were early charged with making the rules for placing the soldiers with various families. In 1694 the king changed this to a uniform code. These rulings, in either case, usually left the poorest people with the greatest burden of harboring the soldiers. Fortunately, in Copenhagen in the 1700s, several barracks were built by the troops, and others purchased by the crown. In the other major garrison cities this policy was also carried out. This helped considerably in improving the relationship of the army with the citizens.

The levied infantry units were, of course, militia soldiers who served only a relatively short time with their units. For all practical purposes, most soldiers mentioned in rural parish registers are found to be local militia, or discharged soldiers, while soldiers mentioned in city registers will be active militia and the recruited soldiers of the then existing regiments. One should note also that both the officers and the non-commissioned officers of the levied militia units were required to reside in their levying districts.

The cavalry was mostly national militia in the earliest period, with only a few recruited units probably stationed in the cities.

These militia cavalry soldiers lived on farms or in cottages belonging to the crown, and were organized into the various royal cavalry districts until 1718. The active cavalry companies were garrisoned upon various royal manors in more restricted cavalry districts which were formed at this time. Among these manors, the following were included:
 * On Sjaeland: Esrom; Jaegersborg; Gjorlev; Ringsted Closter; Vordingborg Slot Ladegaard.
 * On Lolland-Falster: Skorringe; Nykobing Slot Ladegaard
 * On Fyen: St Hans Closter (in Odense City)
 * On Jutland: Koldinghus Slot; Skanderborg; Sobygaard; Silkeborg Slot Ladegaard; Marriager.

There were others. In 1740 this practice was dropped, and the cavalry regiments were assembled in garrisons in the cities. The artillery and the engineers have been mainly connected with Copenhagen and Rendsborg.

For additional details, and specific locations of units, see the annexes covering the specific units as well as the historical supplement on "Garrisons" in the 1925 "Haandbog for Hæren" (FHL call no. 948.9 M23k).

The Regimental Records
Essentially, the regimental records of all branches of the army were the same. Only in minor details will the other services differ from the infantry, which records we will use as an example.

The most important records are the regimental muster rolls (stambøger). While in the earlier periods the whole regiment is often included in one book, in the 1800s the tendency was to have a separate book for each company. Commonly, there may be found periods in which both types were maintained. The keeping of these records became compulsory with the army regulations of 1746. However, they have only been preserved, as a rule, from 1765 or later. Although the 1746 regulations required an index to be kept for the muster roll, it was very seldom done.

Each man was listed with information pertaining to his name, birthplace, age, religion, marital and family status, previous military service, and re-enlistments. His record also carried several purely military items, such as his company identification number, punishment record, etc. Because the birthplace was usually given only as a county or region such as "Fyen", "Saxony", "Holstein", etc., one should investigate all references to a person in all records of that particular regiment. Often at other times, additional information was given including actual birthplaces, such as "Berlin", "Haderslev", "Odense", etc. The age given in most cases was that of the individual when he joined that particular regiment.

When the muster rolls are missing, several other regimental records can supplement them, who of which are the enlistment and discharge books (Til-og af Bøger) and the commission books (Kommission Bøger). (The latter were made when the regiment received a new chief.) Both show essentially the same information as the muster rolls. The enlistment records of the 1800s refer to the levied men, and show the references to the levying rolls from which they were called up. Those in the earlier 1700s, of course, are nearly all recruits, and often indicate where the enlistment took place. In the 1780s to 1800s, often both types of records will be found.

Further, the report and company catalogs (Rapport Bøger and Listebøger) give some of the previously mentioned essentials. Other records have fewer items of genealogical material. (See Haandbog i Slaegtsforskning pp 258-261) (1942 Edition); (FHL Ref. 929.1 F115h 1933 Edition pp 261 following).

Regrettably, many of the title pages to the regimental records were not photographed, and one must guess many times as to what type of record he is searching.

One of the most confusing problems encountered is the proper identification of the regiment to which a man belonged. The designation at FamilySearch is the name used in 1842 or when the unit was disbanded. A list of the various names and their changes has been worked out by the Danish Army Archive. A somewhat comparable list has been partially worked out (see annexes of specific units and above reference).

Most of the cavalry regiments had a relatively stable identification name after 1763. While the types of cavalry designation would change, the identification name rarely did. Prior to that year, the designations are much more complicated as many regiments had both a number (which sometimes changed) as well as a name (which may also have changed). Many regiments in their earlier periods were known by their commander or chief, and this would change with a new appointment. This characteristic is true also of the infantry.

The infantry regiments are even more difficult to keep track of. Various naming systems were used. Two regiments essentially kept their names, viz. the "Life Guards" and the "Queen's Regiment." Some had royal designations which would change in a specific pattern.

An example of this is the change in name of the then-designated "Fyenish Regiment" in 1749 to the "Crown Prince Regiment" when Crown Prince Christian became its chief. When Christian became king in 1766, the name was changed to the "King's Regiment." When he died in 1808, it changed to the "Crown Regiment." When his successor, King Frederick VI died in 1839, the name became the "Third Life Regiment."

Most of the other regiments carried names of parts of the Danish territories, but often changed their names whenever a change in garrison was made. Fortunately, the name changes of these regiments was made in groups, so that no duplication of names occurred. All these units, except the "Life Guards", lost both their names and regimental designations in 1842, when they were all changed into numbered battalions or rifle corps (which later became numbered battalions). These designations were kept until 1951 when named regiments again appeared for the old units.

The artillery and the engineers have had relatively simple designations, carrying the names of the area in which they were garrisoned. Only the titles of "Danish" for those in Copenhagen, etc., "Holstein" for those in Rendsburg, etc., and "Norwegian" for all those in Norway (all of which were lost in 1814), were used at all.

Instructions to the Use of the Army Units Guide
As indicated in the Background heading above, most Danish Army Units changed their names from time to time. This has made the identification of a unit sometimes difficult, especially when the unit was moved to a different station. The name under which a particular unit's service records is listed is only one if its names, and is not the present designation of the unit.

Many units, including the very early ones, and the ones formed in the period after 1870, have no records at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City (as of 1966).

A - In each of the Index Sub-Sections (includes sections I A-B, II A-C, III A-C), the names are arranged alphabetically after the first main identification feature of the unit's name of that period. Each item is begun with a line number for reference within the Index. Line numbers are used only in the index sub-section.

This is followed by the unit's identification number, which pertains to any one unit only. The name of the unit was known by for that period is next, followed by the period of time it was in use, by year only.

The next two columns indicate first the line number of its previous name, and second the line number of its later name. In the case that either earlier or later names were non-existent, these columns will indicate something about its formation and its disbandment.

The next column indicates whether any known service records exist at FamilySearch for this unit for this period. The last column contains notes pertaining to the unit during that time period that the author believed was pertinent.
 * Example: An Infantry Unit: Line 390 - B4 - Kronens Regt. til Fods (1808-1839) - (line) 385 - (line) 456 - R. B4 is the identification number of the unit whose service records are listed as the "4th Battalion." (See Section II, part D.) It carried the name of "Kronens Regiment til Fods" during the period 1808 to 1839. Line 385 indicates it was earlier known as "Kongens Regiment til Fods" and line 456 indicates it was later called "Tredje Liv Regiment til Fods." The "R" indicates that records for all of this period are available at FamilySearch/Family History Library.

B - The Service Record Sub-Section indicates whether or not any designated unit has existing service records at FamilySearch/Family History Library. The arrangement is by sequence of identification numbers.

The first item is the identification number, followed by the name it is listed under in the FamilySearch catalog. This is followed by the correct Danish name. Then follows the year the unit came into existence, and the year it was disbanded or whether it still exists. The next column indicates the earliest year the existing service records begin. In many cases, part of the records after that date have been lost. The last column lists the part numbers of the main series of Army service records or the serial number and part numbers if it is cataloged under a different serial number.
 * Example: an Infantry Unit: B4 - 4 Battalion - Fjerde Batalion - 1614 - exists - 1758 - pts. 156-170. B4 is the unit known as 4 Battalion (English and Danish) which came into existence in 1614 and still exists (as of 1966). Its records begin in 1758 and can be found under parts 156 to 170 of FHL serial number 8556.

Both the Cavalry and Infantry have some fragmentary service records which can be found among other types of records, particularly the older Military Levying Rolls. A separate part has been compiled showing those the author has identified.

Each unit has listed its identification number, followed by its "main" name, usually the one known by in the FamilySearch catalog. The various names it used at the different time periods, with the time periods pertaining to the records listed next. The area to which the record refers then follows, and then the reference source by FHL serial number, part number and book number.

C - The last major sub-section is that of Unit Histories and Other References. It is arranged by identification number in sequence.

Each item lists the identification number, followed by the name of the unit, using Vaupell's designation for most units. Next the page references to the works of Vaupell and Boeck are listed, followed by the year in which a history appears in the Haandbog For Haeren. The fourth reference pertains mostly to the very early units listed in Berliens Collection. The last column contains both notes and other refererences.

Undoubtedly the zealous student will find some errors wtihin the Guide. Likewise, he will find that some units which served in the Danish Army are not listed. These were deliberately left out. Particularly we can mention the composite Grenadier Battalions of the Seven Years War period. Others were oversignts caused by the pressure of limited time for the study.

Any errors and omissions which are found that are called to the attention of the FamilySearch Wiki will be appreciated.

Notes on Sources Used for Unit Histories
Major Sources

I. Vaupell - "Den Danske Haers Historie til Nutiden og Den Norske Haers Historie til 1814," by Otto Vaupell, published 1872-1876 (FHL Serial Number - 44883). This is the best and most complete history up to 1860.

II. Boeck - "Danmarks Haer," by Hector Boeck, S.E. Johnstad-Møller and C.V. Half, published 1933-1934 (FHL Serial Number - 444884). This is the best for units later than 1860 that still existed in 1932/1934.

III. Haandbog for Haeren, by Krigs Ministeriet. Published annually from 1877, with the Library having the issues from 1877 to 1927. (FHL Call Number: 948.9 M23K.) This gives the unit and commands officers in the Army. Some short unit histories are printed in the 1922-1927 issues.

IV. Berliens Collection - A collection of officers' short biographical data on cards up to around 1730. (FHL Serial Number 8554 parts 1 to 3) at the end of part 3 is a "miscellaneous" section, which contains data on early Army units.

V. Notes taken from "Kongens Tro Regimenter" by Arne Hoff and Anton Huidt, published in 1955. These were taken at the Library of Congress in June 1959, and cover particularly the units designations after 1934, including the major reform in 1951.

Other Sources

VI. Hirsch - "Fortegnelse over Danske og Norske Officer fra 1648 til 1814" by I.C.W. Hirsch and Kay Hirsch. (FHL Serial Number 8522, parts 1 to 10). This has been useful in many ways when the units name was unsure but when an officer of the unit was known.

VII. Hof og Stadt Kalender - published annually with the issues from 1832 to 1926 available at the Family History Library. This has given the units assigned to brigades from 1842 to 1867 when all other sources failed to do so. (FHL Call Number 948.9 H4K).

VIII. The Military Card Index of Noncommissioned Officers, from 1757 to 1860, has occasionally been helpful. (FHL serial number 8553, parts 1 to 8.)

IX. Notes from re-print of Manchester Guardian in 1864 (located in University of Utah Library) under the title "Engels as Military Critic" was the only source listing organization of the Danish Army on a war footing in the spring of 1864.

Abbreviations Used (All Sections) Of Army Units Guide
Identification Letters: Under Name and in Notes

Under Previous and Later

Under Records (Pertains to FHL holdings)