Battle of Karstula facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Karstula
Part of the Finnish War
Tavastehusarnas strid vid Karstula, by Magnus Adlercreutz and David Ljungdahl
Date 21 August 1808 Location Karstula, Finland Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Otto von Fieandt	Jegor Vlastov
Strength
1,500–1,600 6 guns	3,200 7 guns
Casualties and losses
313: 60 killed 116 wounded 137 missing	245 killed, wounded or captured

The Battle of Karstula was an important fight during the Finnish War. It took place on August 21, 1808, in Karstula, Finland. In this battle, Swedish troops, led by Otto von Fieandt, faced a much larger Russian army. The Russian forces were commanded by Jegor Vlastov. The battle ended with a victory for the Russian Empire.

What Was the Finnish War?

The Finnish War was a big conflict that happened between 1808 and 1809. It was fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire. The main reason for the war was control over Finland. At the time, Finland was part of Sweden. Russia wanted to take Finland for itself. This war was also connected to bigger conflicts happening in Europe, like the Napoleonic Wars.

Why Karstula Was Important

The Battle of Karstula was one of many battles during the Finnish War. It happened during a time when the Russian army was pushing hard into Finland. The Swedish forces were trying to defend their positions. This battle was a key moment in the Russian advance.

The Commanders

In any battle, the leaders play a huge role. Here are the main commanders at Karstula:

Otto von Fieandt: The Swedish Commander

Positions of the forces

Otto von Fieandt was a Swedish general. He was in charge of the Swedish forces at Karstula. His army was much smaller than the Russian one. Despite being outnumbered, he tried to hold his ground. Fieandt was known for his bravery.

Jegor Vlastov: The Russian Commander

Jegor Vlastov was a general in the Russian army. He led the larger Russian force at Karstula. Vlastov's goal was to defeat the Swedish army and continue the Russian advance. His troops had more soldiers and more cannons.

The Battle Begins

The battle started on August 21, 1808. The Swedish troops were in defensive positions. They hoped to stop the Russian advance. However, the Russian army was much stronger. They had about 3,200 soldiers and seven cannons. The Swedes had only about 1,500 to 1,600 soldiers and six cannons.

The Fight and Retreat

The fighting was fierce. The Russian army used its larger numbers to attack the Swedish lines. The Swedish soldiers fought hard. But they could not hold back the bigger Russian force. Eventually, the Swedish army had to retreat. This was a difficult and dangerous move.

The Outcome

The Battle of Karstula ended in a clear victory for the Russians. The Swedish forces were defeated.

Casualties and Losses

Both sides suffered losses in the battle.

• The Swedish army lost 313 men. This included 60 killed, 116 wounded, and 137 missing.
• The Russian army lost 245 men. This number includes those killed, wounded, or captured.

The defeat at Karstula was a setback for Sweden in the Finnish War. It allowed the Russian army to continue its push into Finland. This battle, like many others, helped shape the outcome of the war.