[1] This however, opened up more opportunities since he from 1776 where to be regarded as a part of the Danish nobility, and he rose rapidly through the ranks and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1782 and captain in 1785.

[1] After the war he went to Holstein, where he in 1790 and 1792 learned about the contemporary sharpshooting tactics, and later established the first non-commissioned officer school for Jäger Corps in Norway.

[1] In 1813 he received charge of a brigade in Smaalenenes Amt, and when Prince Christian Frederik in the winter of 1814 traveled to Trondheim, Staffeldt became supreme commander of the southern army with the authority to take measures for the countries security.

[5] On 22 May that year Staffeldt was appointed to lieutenant general, was intended to lead an important role in Norway's defense during the subsequent campaigns against the Swedes.

The active defense would, however, prove unsuccessful since King Christian Frederik drew the Norwegian troops back across Glomma against von Staffeldt's advice.

The responsibility for the army's weak leadership and the subsequent withdrawal was largely put on von Staffeldt, who had to relinquish his position in favor of Major General Arenfeldt and was instead assigned to ensure the front's left flank.

Staffeldt nevertheless was not found guilty by the war commission, but when the verdict was presented for the Supreme Court he was sentenced to death on 17 December 1816.