Curt von Stedingk Curt Bogislaus Ludvig Kristoffer von Stedingk ( 26 October 1746 – 7 January 1837 ) was a count of the von Stedingk family , and a successful Swedish army officer and diplomat who played a prominent role in Swedish foreign policy during several decades . Biography . Early life . Von Stedingk was born in Swedish Pomerania on 26 October 1746 . His father was Major Kristoffer Adam Stedingk and his mother was Countess Kristina Charlotta von Schwerin , daughter of Frederick the Great ' s the Great famous Field Marshal Kurt Christoph von Schwerin . He married Ulrika Fredrika Ekström , and became the father of one son and five daughters who married into the noble families af Ugglas , Biörnstierna , von Platen , d ' Otrante and Rosenblad ; he was the father of the composer Maria Frederica von Stedingk . During the Seven Years ' War , at which time Sweden was at war with Prussia , then thirteen - year - old Curt was an ensign in the personal regiment of the Crown Prince of Sweden . After the end of the war , he went to Sweden to claim compensation for damage done to his family ' s estate in Pomerania . This goal was not achieved , but instead , von Stedingk was introduced to the court , and became friends with the crown prince and his brothers . Career . Military career . In 1763 , after von Stedingk completed his studies at Uppsala University , he began his military career , and rose quickly through the ranks in the " Royal Suédois " regiment in France , which was owned by his friend count Axel von Fersen . Both von Stedingk and Axel von Fersen were both close friends of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and spent much time in Versailles . By 1788 , he had become " colonel en chef " , and by 1783 , he was in charge of a larger army unit in Finland , then an internal part of Sweden . During the American Revolutionary War , when France sent troops under the command of Marquis de LaFayette in support of the American colonies , von Stedingk went overseas to America in 1779 . At Siege of Savannah in October 1779 , he commanded the left column of the attacking force , and planted the American flag on the last line of enemy trenches , but was wounded by enemy crossfire , and forced to retreat , with 20 men , all wounded like he was . For this , he was decorated by the French and received a lifetime pension . He was also recognized as a hero for his acts during the naval Battle of Grenada fought against Vice Admiral John Byron on 6 July 1779 . For his feats in battle , von Stedingk was made a member of the Society of the Cincinnati by George Washington in 1783 . However , the King of Sweden at that time , Gustav III , forbade him to wear the insignia as they were awarded to him by a revolting people . During the Russo - Swedish War started by King Gustav III in 1788 , von Stedingk commanded the defence of Savolax . His forces repeatedly defeated Russian forces that greatly outnumbered the Swedes , and von Stedingk was promoted to major general . He was Ambassador to Russia in St . Petersburg in two turns - all in all almost 20 years . In the Russo - Swedish War 1808 - 1809 he was Commander in Chief in Finland , which still belonged to Sweden . Thanks to his very good standing with the Russian Imperial Family he later managed to alleviate the harsh terms of the peace negotiations when Finland was lost to Russia . In the Battle of Leipzig he successfully commanded the Swedish troops against Napoleon . He was promoted to Field Marshal . Death and afterward . Von Stedingk died at age 90 in Stockholm , and is said to have been mourned by both the King of Sweden , at that time , Charles XIV John , and the armed forces .