Jakob Henrik Zidén

Jakob Henrik Zidén (31 October 1785 – 27 October 1808) was a Finnish officer, acclaimed for his bravery in the defence of Kuopio in 1808-09. He died near Iisalmi in the Battle of Koljonvirta between the Swedes and Russians in 1808 which was a Swedish victory.[1]

Zidén was born in Marttila; his father, the provost Jakob Zidén, was of West Finnish descent and his mother, Kristina Elisabet Fahlberg, was from a Swedish family.[2] He started his military career in 1797 at the age of 11, as a driver in the Turku provincial regiment.[1] After studying in Turku, he withdrew in 1801, but by 1804 he had re-enlisted and that year was promoted to feldwebel.[1]

He distinguished himself in the Finnish War, particularly in the Battle of Haistila on 17 March 1808, and was promoted to ensign in the newly organised Vasa regiment.[1][2] He was reportedly "not very precise in his duties",[3] but he again distinguished himself with his bravery in the attack on Kuopio that June,[1] and was mentioned in dispatches by Löwenhjelm.[3] In the Battle of Koljonvirta on 27 October 1808, he led his platoon in the attack against the Russians but was mortally wounded in the forehead by grapeshot.[1]

Zidén was awarded medals of bravery in both silver and gold, and his name was included on the Virta Monument raised in 1885.[1] He is also the subject of a poem, "Löjtnant Zidén", in Johan Ludvig Runeberg's The Tales of Ensign Stål (Runeberg promoted him to lieutenant).[1][2][3]

He was married to Albertina Kreander, who remarried after his death to Johan Ithimaeus, a paymaster.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Zidén, Jakob Henrik, krigare". Svenskt biografiskt handlexikon (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). 1906.
  2. 1 2 3 "Zidén, Jakob Henrik". Svensk uppslagsbok (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). 1947–1955.
  3. 1 2 3 Wrangel, Ewert (1898). Om Fänrik Ståls sägner: en minnesskrift (in Swedish). Lund: Gleerup. pp. 100–01. OCLC 227367485.
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