Friedrich von Rüdiger

[1] Born in Mittau (now Jelgava), Courland to a family of local Baltic Germans, von Rüdiger graduated from a local college in Mittau and in 1799 he joined the Semenovsky Regiment of Life Guards.

Promoted to the rank of Major on 23 October 1807, he took part in the capture of Björneborg and Tavastehus.

He led a small detachment pursuing the Swedish army all the way to the city of Vaasa and captured it, for which he received the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class.

After the Battle of Chashniki he was promoted to the rank of Major General and became the commanding officer of the Grodno Hussar Regiment.

Together with his unit he took part in the bloody Battle of Berezina and captured the city of Vilna.