The tomb of General Frederick Dietrichson, who led the military forces under the Lofthuus uprising in 1787, was found at the market square in Kristiansand. – That is a dream come true, says the county conservationist.
The year is 1787. The General Major stands in line by Nidelva in front of 300 soldiers and two canons. Across the river are 800-900 furious farmers.
– They stood with their hats on. Fredrik Dietrichson opened by saying that they had to take their hats off for the authorities. This calmed down the fighting spirits, says Gustav Sætra, associate professor of history at the University of Agder to newspaper Fædrelandsvennen.
The farmers got fired up when their leader Christian Lofthuus got arrested. The farmers responded by putting the bailiff in prison, in order to exchange him with Lofthuus. Major General Dietrichson managed to liberate the bailiff, and a few rounds were fired by the cannons and a couple of rifles to calm down the worst tempers.
The General Major died on May 29 in 1791, 68 years old. He was buried with his uniform on and three horse teeth in his right hand. Now his remains have been found – with his gold ring on.
– That is what you dream of finding but that “never” happens, says county conservationist Yvonne F. Willumsen.
The General’s ponytail and details of the uniform was also found, otherwise the remains are in poor condition. The discovery was made in connection with the construction of new underground parking facilities in Kristiansand, where they have up till now excavated nearly 300 remains.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
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