Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Ratan
Ratan, Västerbotten, Sweden
What happened
A Swedish force under Gustaf Wachtmeister and Johan af Puke, with a naval flotilla, fought a Russian army under Nikolay Kamensky. A day after Sävar, Kamensky attacked the Swedes at Ratan to cover his wagons' retreat. Swedish guns, including those on the ships, held off the Russians. The Russians briefly took the village but abandoned it, and the Swedes then sailed away.
Why it matters
It was the last battle fought on Swedish soil in the war. Together with Sävar, it strengthened Sweden's hand at the peace talks.
What came next
Sweden gave up Finland, but the border was set at the Torne River, not farther west as the Tsar had wanted.
Did you know?
Iron ore was later found in the northern land Sweden kept, making the border very valuable.
Timeline
- 19 Aug 1809Battle of Sävar.
- 20 Aug 1809Battle of Ratan.
- 24 Aug 1809Swedes retake Umeå.
- 17 Sep 1809Treaty of Fredrikshamn.