Denmark finds itself in an awkward position…
September 1788 CE
In a treaty signed with Russia in 1773, Denmark–Norway had committed itself to assist with twelve thousand men, six ships of the line and three frigates in the case Russia were to be attacked.
Soon after the Swedish attack, the Russians had demanded that Denmark–Norway keep its promise, and Denmark–Norway is thus forced to join the war.
When Gustav III receives news of this, he exclaims "I am saved!".
Considering that the attack on Russia had been Gustav's own initiative, that many Swedish officers and the king's opponents are strongly against the war, and that the war is not being fought very successfully, this exclamation might seem strange.
However, Gustav III, an astute politician, sees this as a golden opportunity to turn the Swedish opinion in his favor.
He leaves the battlefront in Finland and proceeds to Stockholm, then Dalarna, where he manages to incite several free corps to participate in the defense against the Danes and Norwegians.
Despite strong popular support, Sweden has only ten thousand men that have to be divided between Skåne, Jämtland and Bohuslän.
The first Danish force of about eight thousand to ten thousand men under the command of Prince Charles of Hesse attacks Bohuslän from Norway on September 24 and advances quickly toward Vänersborg, meeting feeble Swedish resistance.