Carl von Arensdorff

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Carl von Arenstorff (Danish: Carl von Arenstorff) (1625-1676), was an officer born in Mecklenburg, who served with the Swedish, Danish and Dutch armies. Brother to Friedrich von Arenstorff.

Carl von Arenstorff served with the Swedish king Charles X Gustav during his War on Poland. Arenstorff distinguished himself as an excellent cavalry officer and was promoted Major General. It was considered a great loss when he was dismissed on his own request.

In 1673 he entered service with the Danish king Christian V and was a member of the kings council (Geheimeråd).

When the Scanian War began he was temporary in Dutch pay and was called back to Denmark. He became Commander-in-Chief of the Danish army in Scania when duke Holstein-Pløn after differences with the King was dismissed on October 1, 1676.

Though being a successful cavalry officer, his performances as a commander of the army did not even come close to that of his predecessor. Disagreements in the kings council led to poor planning of vital parts of the deciding battle on Swedish ground.

Carl von Arenstorff was badly wounded by a bullet to his right arm at the initial phase of the Battle of Lund. He was shipped to Copenhagen but died from gangrene on December 10, 1676. In the kings correspondence hence after, Carl von Arenstorff was praised posthumus for his service.