THE BATTLE OF REDEN April 2, 1801

With the participation of Bernhard Ulrich Middelboe 1768 - 1825

By Middelboe.one

Bernhard Ulrich Middelboe (16 November 1768 in Aarhus – 25 October 1825 in Copenhagen) was a Danish naval officer. He was the son of Bishop Stephan Middelboe, father of the naval officer Stephan Middelboe and grandfather of the painter Bernhard Middelboe.

Middelboe became a volunteer cadet in the Navy in 1778, cadet in 1782, second lieutenant in 1789, first lieutenant in 1796, lieutenant captain in 1804 and captain in 1810. In 1815 he was discharged (from 1816 with the title of commander captain). He was in Dutch service in 1793–95, from which he returned home sick. He then served in the Glückstadt crew and was then employed at the enlistment office in Aabenraa. He commanded the schooner Den Aarvaagne in the Caribbean (then West Indies) in 1799 and was in battle against an English privateer.

After his return, Middelboe was ordered to enlist in Randers. In the Battle of Reden on 2 April 1801, Middelboe was commander of the gunboat Søhesten. In the battle, 25 of his 74 crew members were killed and 22 were wounded. In a defense against three frigates and some brigs, he had to surrender due to superior force. During the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807, he was commander of the Prøvestenen battery. When he was dismissed during the reduction of the army in 1815, he bought the country estate Pedersdal on Amager and settled there.

Middelboe lost his house and all his belongings during the bombardment of Copenhagen and therefore received a loan of 500 rigsdaler in 1808, so that he could support his family and household, which consisted of 11 people. Nevertheless, he died in rather poor circumstances. He was married to Magdalene f. Foersom (born in Øster Lindet 1 July 1773, died in Ribe 23 December 1861), daughter of provost Christian Foersom and widow of consumption inspector P. Buch in Viborg. He is buried at Holmen's Cemetery. The Royal Library and the Defence Library have portraits of Middelboe.

Bernhard Ulrich Middelboe

 

 

The Battle of Reden 1801

The Battle of Reden was a consequence of a long series of failed diplomatic efforts in the latter part of the 18th century.

The armed neutrality alliance consisting of Denmark-Norway, Sweden, Prussia and Russia, combined with Napoleon's almost total dominance over the European continent, was perceived by Britain as a serious threat to the English navy.

The English were particularly concerned about the continued existence and security of supply routes from Sweden and the Baltic countries.

One of the Danish floating batteries during the Battle of Reden

In the foreground of the picture is a rowboat under a white flag. A British officer holds up a letter to the waiting Dane. In the letter, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson offers the Danes an armistice because he believes that continuing the fight will be a useless loss of life. If the Danes do not accept the armistice, the British will burn the captured ships without regard for the crews. On the left side of the picture are Crown Prince Frederik and his military advisors. They can see for themselves the hopelessness of the situation and accept the offer.