Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Pyhäjoki
Pyhäjoki, North Ostrobothnia, Finland
What happened
A Russian vanguard under Yakov Kulnev caught the Swedish rearguard of Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor's army. In the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia, the Swedish army was retreating north through the winter. Kulnev's Russians caught its rearguard and skirmished with it to Pyhäjoki, where the Swedes made a short stand before pulling back.
Why it matters
It was one of the first fights after the long Swedish retreat. A senior Swedish officer, Gustaf Löwenhielm, was captured.
What came next
The Swedes kept retreating. Two days later they turned and fought at Siikajoki.
Did you know?
Winter weather made every move hard for both armies.
Timeline
- 2 Mar 1808Russians take Helsingfors.
- 16 Apr 1808Battle of Pyhäjoki.
- 18 Apr 1808Battle of Siikajoki.