Battle of Koljonvirta

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Virta bridge


caption=Positions at the battle
partof=Finnish War
date=October 27 1808
place=near Iisalmi, Finland
result= Swedish victory
combatant1=flag|Sweden
combatant2=flag|Russia
commander1=Johan August Sandels
commander2=Nikolai Alexejvitsch Tutschkoff
strength1= 1.800
strength2= 6.000 - 8.000
casualties1=312 killed
casualties2=1064 killed, 74 prisoners

The Battle of Koljonvirta (Finnish "Koljonvirran taistelu") was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on October 27 1808. 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.

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 Swedish 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. The battle was the last Swedish victory on Finnish soil.