Carl Johan Adlercreutz (27 April 1757 – 21 August 1815) was a Swedish general and statesman, born in Borgå (Porvoo), Finland on family estates. Entering the Swedish army aged 13 in the Finnish Light Cavalry Brigade, he was present when Gustav III launched his coup-d’état. He studied military theory in Stockholm.
In 1777 he joined the Savo Brigade guarding the Finnish border against Russian aggression. Adlercreutz first saw action in the 1788–1790 Russo-Swedish War, where he distinguished himself. He was promoted Major in 1791 and Squadron Commander 1792. During the Anjala conspiracy he not only remained faithful to the King but actively refused to join the conspirators, subsequently taking part in the trials against them. He was thereafter appointed the commanding officer of the Nyland Dragoons, holding this post until 1804, when he was made Ofverste (Colonel-in-Chief) of the newly raised Adlercreutz Regiment.
His rise through the ranks was remarkable for the era. Advancement at this time depended heavily on powerful patrons and connections at court — something Adlercreutz largely lacked, despite being brother-in-law to Colonel Johan Adam Cronstedt and having married into the Swedish high nobility. His career advancement was therefore essentially his own achievement.
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Finnish War of 1808
At the opening of the Finnish War Adlercreutz was appointed Ofverste commanding the 2nd brigade under Klercker. He replaced Gustaf Löwenhielm as Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor's Chief of Staff on 14 April. Since Klingspor was more concerned with securing supplies and provisions than with conducting military operations, it was in practice Adlercreutz who directed the Swedish forces throughout the Finnish campaign.