The battle was part of the Torstenson War (1643-1645), known locally as the Hannibal Feud (Hannibalsfejden) between Sweden and Denmark-Norway.

When the local farmers saw the bonfires lit or heard church bells ringing, they were to gather at predetermined locations.

Sehested also pushed for the equipment of a standing Norwegian army, which was formally established in 1641 but whose six regiment were not fully trained.

In 1644 the size of the Norwegian army grew, and in November Sehested attacked Värmland with 4,480 men and 18 cannon.

The Swedish side took advantage of this time by felling trees across roads, to hinder the approaching soldiers.

[6] On 17 December the Norwegian force left Morast and marched south to Eda church, making camp at Hammar on the north shore of Lake Bysjön.

[5] Early in the morning on Sunday 22 December, the Norwegian soldiers under the command of Sehestedt marched out on the ice again.

The local farmers were at the opening in the lake ice, with two companies of cavalry and a few hundred Finnish soldiers on their flanks.

On the Norwegian side 60 wounded men were carried back to the Midtskog redoubt, and about 100 are estimated to have been killed due to their exposed position on the ice.

"[5] Sehested was proud of his victory, his first on the battlefield: I myself have had the honor, of receiving from the soldiers of Olof Stake for New Year, two bullets through the cap on my head, although without injury.