Battle of Valkeala

Battle of Valkeala
Part of the Gustav III's Russian War
Battle of Valkeala by Pehr Hilleström
Date April 28-May 5, 1790 Location Valkeala, Finland Result Swedish Victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire	Sweden
Commanders and leaders
General Denisow	Gustav III of Sweden Gustav Wachtmeister Swedenhielm
Strength
3,000 troops	Västmanlands regemente Östgöta infanteriregemente Livgrenadjärregementet Livgrenadjärregementet Kronobergs regemente 4,000 total
Casualties and losses
unknown	Gustav Wachtmeister wounded, 150 men dead or wounded

Battle of Valkeala took place in Gustav III's Russian War April 29, 1790 at Valkeala in Kymi in Southern Finland and ended with a Swedish victory.

Context

A Swedish army corps of 4000 men under the command of Gustav III and several of his closest officers crossed on April 28, 1790 Kymi River in Pörille village at a hastily struck a bridge over a ford. The next day continued their march to Valkeala, where a Russian force of 3000 men stood ready to face them. The Swedish force available for battle consisted of roughly 3000 men since 3 battalions had been diverted to guard the ford crossing and rear positions. The Swedes were victorious in the following battle, pressing home the victory with several successful head on bayonet charges however during the fighting the Swedish Commanding General Gustav Wachtmeister was wounded by a musket ball to the arm. After Colonel Swedenhjelm's adversity through Anjala on May 5, the Army Corps of Keltis returned the Kymi river. Swedish units involved included the Västmanlands regemente, Östgöta infanteriregemente, Livgrenadjärregementet, Första livgrenadjärregementet and Kronobergs regemente.

Aftermath

Wachtmeister was the hero of the hour for a king who wished for good publicity. Wachtmeister was made a Major-General for his heroic intervention. The war ended with a string of Swedish victories, but in the end Gustav III was assassinated at a masked ball. Wachtmeister, however, continued to serve Sweden a long time away.