When Brita Hagberg’s husband of 11 years was called away to fight in the Russo-Swedish War of 1788, the Stockholm woman did what a lot of other 18th century military wives would have done – she followed her husband off to war. Armies of the era frequently permitted soldiers’ wives to travel with regiments where they would wash clothes, mend uniforms and prepare food for their husbands. But Brita had something much different in mind. After receiving no word from her spouse Petter for some time, the 32-year-old cut her hair, donned men’s clothing and enlisted in the Swedish marines. She signed on using her husband’s name. Brita hoped that if she could make it to the front lines, she might somehow be able to learn what had become of the man she loved. Her ruse worked — none of her comrades had any idea she was a woman in man’s clothing.
Hagberg soon saw action at the battles of Svensksund and Vyborg Bay while serving aboard the Swedish warship Styrbjorn. She reportedly fought heroically in both actions. Later, Brita’s company was mixed in with another unit.
Then one day while assigning duties to the entire company, a commander called out “Hagberg, Petter”. Two soldiers stepped forward — one was Brita the other was Petter! Somehow, the reunited couple managed to contain their surprise and from that point on served together secretly as husband and wife. According to the story, the couple was able to keep Brita’s true identity under wraps for sometime. Mrs. Hagberg was even decorated for heroism. Unfortunately for Brita, a ship’s surgeon discovered her real sex after she was wounded during the Battle of Bjorko Sund.
Although she was immediately discharged from the marines, Brita’s exploits were widely celebrated in Sweden. She was even awarded a military pension for life. After the war, Brita had two children with Petter and became a successful business woman. She died in 1825, eight years after losing her husband. She was 69 years old.
