Battle of Koljonvirta

The Battle of Koljonvirta (Finnish: Koljonvirran taistelu, Swedish: Slaget vid Virta bro) i.e. the Battle of the Virta Bridge, also known as the battle of Idensalmi,[2] was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on October 27, 1808. The Swedish force consisted of troops from Savolax and Östergötland. After the main Swedish army had been defeated at the Battle of Oravais the army under Johan August Sandels in Savonia had to retreat in order not to be outflanked by the Russians. Sandels found a good defensive position north of Iisalmi and decided to resist the Russian advance there.[4]

Positions at the battle

Battle of Koljonvirta
Part of the Finnish War
Sandels at Koljonvirta, by August Malmström
Date 27 October 1808 Location near Iisalmi, Northern Savonia, Finland Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Johan August Sandels	Nikolai Alexejvitsch Tutschkoff
Strength
Swedish source: 1,800 12 guns[1] Russian source: 4,000[2]	Swedish source: 6,000 17 guns[1] Russian source: 5,000[2]
Casualties and losses
Swedish source: 316:[3] 34 killed 282 wounded	Swedish source: 773:[3] 221 killed 479 wounded 73 captured Russian source: 764 killed and missing[2]

Between September 29 and October 27 a cease-fire was in effect. Sandels was heavily outnumbered but had a good defensive position between two lakes connected by the Koljonvirta river and he had prepared his position well during the cease-fire. On October 27 the cease-fire was to end at 1 PM, but Russians started their attack a little earlier, perhaps because of the time difference between Sweden and Russia. Sandels pulled back the forces on the south side of the river and the Russians attacked over the partially demolished bridge. The Swedes counter-attacked and literally pushed the Russian troops into the river. The Russians pulled up fresh troops on the south side of the river, but they didn't try to attack again.[4][5][6][7] The battle was the last Swedish victory on Finnish soil.