A different Finnish War

[von Adler]

1808-09-08. 14:30.
By half past two it is obvious to Kamenskij that Bulatov's column is in serious trouble. Bulatov himself, have narrowly avoided being trampled both by his own men and Finns drunk on koskenkorva and victory. Among cries of "Dufva!", "Perkele!" and "Döbeln!" the Finns rush after the routing Russians. Little mercy is offered by the Finnish militia and it takes a while before von Döbeln's order to respect surrender and treat captured Russian soldiers as proper prisoners of war is enforced throughout the ranks, especially among the Finnish Militia.

"Yeah, we stabbed them in the back, and stabbed them in the armpit when they stretched up their arms, the bastards. Mama always said the only good Russian is a dead Russian, and we did our damnest to make sure we had a lot of good Russians! The Russians ran like rabbits chased by wolves, but the fun did not last. A snotty Swedish officer [authors note: It was most likely a Swedish-speaking Finnish officer, as von Döbeln's Division had very few officers from either Götaland, Svealand or Norrland, many Finnish-speaking Finns made no distinction between Swedish-speaking Finns and Swedes from the western part of the Realm at this time] with an attitude and four burly provosts showed up and told us in no uncertain terms - in Finnish - that we would take prisoners and not kill Russians who surrendered. Ours is not to reason why, I guess, so we did as the uppers ordered. When in their line of sight, at least."

Account of a veteran of the Finnish Militia, excerpt from The people and stories of rural Finland by Peter Nyman, Åbo Finnish Heritage Printing, 1849.

1808-09-08. 14:45.
Bulatov's staff has managed to get him out of the general mess and provide him with a new horse. His scant reserves and some of the forces he has managed to rally retreat under pressure as most of his division routs in panic. Despite misgivings and problems, Bulatov is calm under fire and steadies the men around him. The organised retreat in the sea of chaos and destruction, and intense but by now rather disorganised charges by von Döbeln's men will be the subject of some of the more romanticist works of Russian art after the war, eclipsed only by Bagration's masterful retreat with his Corps from Austerlitz three years prior.

1808-09-08. 15:00.
Bulatov's column is by now completely out of the battle, and Kamenskij is trying to disengage some of his forces to form a reserve to deal with von Döbeln's men once they start storming out of the forests. However, the Russians are by now exhausted, and movement is seriously disrupted by the Swedish artillery. As reports of von Döbeln's success has poured in, af Klercker has ordered his men to push forwards. Slowly but steadily the Swedish army recaptures the weak earthen works they in many cases lost in the initial Russian attack and pushes beyond it. The entire Swedish artillery is now at the front, being pushed forward with 'anmarschbommar' as the line advances. The artillery from the Swedish right (southern) flank has joined the centre and most of von Döbeln's artillery at the Swedish left (northern) flank has been sent to the centre as well, as it could not keep up with the charge over the forested and broken terrain. Some 70 guns are gathered, not in a grand battery, but as fire support for the infantry. Normally, a gun would be placed between battalions, but now guns are places between companies and in some cases even between platoons. The artillerists who have laboured hard all day are becoming tired, but are enthusiastically cheered on and in many cases helped by the infantry men, who are happy to have the additions in firepower close. As combat starts to move a bit, an afternoon breeze helps to clear the battlefield from smoke, allowing both sides an overview of the battlefield previously not offered.

In the north, Bulatov is retreating under pressure, most of his column has disintegrated and he is no longer a factor on the battlefield. His opponent, however, has exhausted his men and his reserves. While most of von Döbeln's men are too tired to even engage the enemy - indeed, many of them are already asleep after the triple burden of being roaring drunk, multiple charges and the great psychological strain of the close hand-to-hand battle they just fought. Nevertheless, two brigades supported by a smattering of Militia and Jägers are slowly moving to engage the flank of the Russian central column.

In the south, the mearge Swedish cavalry has long since retreated and been placed into reserve status. Small contignents of skirmishers from both sides still fight over the battlefield, with two Russian battalions protecting the Russian artillery, as the Swedes are gaining the upper hand in this small-scale battle.

In the centre the Russians have suffered tremendous casualties. The Swedes have suffered as well, especially as Adlercreutz have proven unable to switch fresh troops in and exhausted ones out from fear of causing a general rout if the troops think others are retreating. Now, however, as af Klercker has ordered a general advance, the Swedish reserves are stepping into the fray, with drums sounding they step over the piles of Russian bodies, with artillery struggling to keep up. It is a mighty sight of the fresh Swedish troops advancing.

By now, Kamenskij realises the battle is lost, especially as the size of the Swedish reserve can be seen clearly as the breeze blows the smoke away and the Swedes advance out of the thick cloud of gunpowder smoke. However, he has little reserves to throw into the advancing Swedes and darkness is far away still. Disengaging will prove hard and dangerous.

And indeed it is.

1808-09-08. 16:00.
The Russian artillery is the first part of the Russian army to leave. Limbering and rolling away, protected by the Russian skirmishers and the two battalions of infantry still mostly untouched by the fighting (except for some skirmishing with the Swedish Jägare), the move in good order. The lack of artillery support for the infantry, however, makes the Russians nervous. As von Döbeln's troops release a ragged flanking volley, the Russian centre starts to give way. The ordered retreat starts to turn into a disorganised rout.

1808-09-08. 16:15.
By now, af Klercker considers the battle as good as won. Armfeldt, who has had problems keeping some of his troops together (his division being the worst trained and least experienced Swedish formation, that was hard hit by Bulatov's initial advance), is by now advancing to link up with von Döbeln, with fresh troops. As the Russian southern column shows signs of wavering, as they notice their artillery support is gone and the Swedish Jägare are starting to make pinprick attacks on their left (southern) flank, af Klercker orders all available troops to charge. Under the pressure, the Russian lines buckle, and then break. With little available reserves, almost no cavalry to sacrifice and exhausted men, Kamenskij is unable to prevent a general rout, despite riding into the thick of things in an attempt to restore order.

He himself and the King mounts to command the Swedish cavalry, ~700 men in the charge. The charge by the King and the Field Marshal is rather short, even though it satisfies the King's urge for battlefield glory and his need for dramatic flair. The King and the Field Marshal stops to accept the surrender of Kamenskij and his staff (in reality, they have already been captured by a Swedish infantry battalion, but formal surrender happens to the King, with Kamenskij presenting his sword to the King, who returns it, stating that he trusts the Russian General to behave like a Gentleman).

The aftermath of the battle proves absolutely devastating for the Russian army. The fresh Swedish reserves and the cavalry pursue the routing Russians long into the night. Only Bulatov's ~2 000 remaining men, and the artillery, who abandon their guns and flee together with the two battalions escorting them, are able to extract themselves from the battlefield. The Russian commander has been captured, the army killed, taken prisoner or shattered and the Russian camp, including supplies, artillery, war booty, quite a few of the elite who had sworn themselves to the Russians as well as the main war cash reserve of the Russian army is captured by the Swedes.

A huge supply of vodka is found in the Russian camp, and large parts of the Swedish army stops to celebrate the victory vicously long into the night and even into the morning.

[von Adler]

1808-09-10.
The Russians went into the battle with around 24 000 men. Of those over 6 000 are dead or wounded, more than 7 000 have been taken prisoners and more than 4 000 are unaccounted for. Some are trying to make their way back through the wooded terrain, some have simply deserted while others might be prisoners. Bulatov, having rallied what remains of the once-proud Russian army has less than 5 000 men under his command, and that includes the artillerymen without guns and about 2 000 men from the garrison of Fredrikshamn. Taking command without order, he urgently dispatches a message for de Tolly to join him with the greatest urgency and takes the garrisons, rear line troops, supply men and everything else he can scrape together to form a motley army of about 6 500 men. Realising the impossibility of holding Fredikshamn wihtout any naval support nor any artillery, he retreats for Viborg, where a Russian garrison of more than 4 000 men, plus some fresh recruits as well as decent fortifications armed with substantial artillery should make a stand possible.

The Swedes, in the meantime, are flush with victory. Pursuing Bulatov carefully, af Klercker nevertheless presses on and drives the Russians from Fredrikshamn. The Swedes have now driven the Russians completely from Finland and are advancing into the territory they lost 1743. It seems like British support for Sweden has been vindicated and that the Russians will not be able to finish this war anytime soon. The Swedish army has suffered almost 4 000 dead and wounded in the battle, but still stands more than 20 000 men strong. With the Russian supplies captured, the rear organised and morale sky-high, the Swedish army is essentially the only credible force in the field, with the Russians unable to prevent a Swedish invasion of Russian-held territory.

During the advance, Adlercreutz tries to convince the King to replace af Klercker with himself, however, his scheming backfires as the King by now has a lot of respect for af Klercker and his military knowledge. Instead, Armfeldt is promoted to commander of the Army in Finland, and Adlercreutz demoted to divisional dommander.

[von Adler]

1808-09-11.
As the Swedes chase the Russians out of Finland, 3. (Lätta) Divisionen under Cronstedt have already been across the border for more than a week. A triumphant march into Nyslott and driving the meagre Russian garrison in front of them have not done much to stop the division. However, de Tolly and his two Russian brigades (supported by a battery of 6 6pdr guns) is another enemy altogether. As the two forces meet outside Villmansstrand on the 11th, a battle is soon joined. Cronstedt, having reports of the great victory outside Svartholma is eager to prove himself. He is convinced he is only facing a small rear guard, as de Tolly is surely retreating out of fear of being cut off by the advance of the main Swedish army under af Klercker.

However, de Tolly is not expected to be north of Villmansstrand, and the messengers from Bulatov have trouble finding his staff. He will not receive the news nor the orders to retreat and join Bulatov at Viborg until right before midnight.

The Swedes field about 3 000 men infantry and 1 500 men cavalry, with around 20 3pdr guns, while the Russians have about 4 000 men infantry, including the garrison of Villmansstrand and around 300 men cavalry, mostly cossacks, and 6 6pdr guns.

Sandels, commanding Savolaxbrigaden urge Cronstedt to not attack the Russians - surely, a indirect strategy, utilising the superior Swedish mobility and the light troops and Jägare of the Swedish force would be for the best? However, Cronstedt is unwilling to part with his artillery, fearing it might be lost to the Russians, which would be a great disgrace. Sandels then argues that probing attacks and recoinnasance should be carried out, however, Cronstedt is convinced the Russians are retreating and that he will miss his chance of glory if he does not attack. His record so far is not bad, but far from stellar. Despite Sandel's protests, Cronstedt attacks at about 10 o'clock.

[Antipater]

Just finished the three updates. Really griping stuff. Both the story-writing and premise are very interesting. I have a lot of respect for any writer than can both do their homework reading up on history, and take the time to incorporate that work into a well crafted story, rather than simply list out TLs like facts from a dictionary.

Good TLs involving Sweden seem to be quite rare on the board, and I follow this one with great interest.

[von Adler]

Originally Posted by Antipater

Just finished the three updates. Really griping stuff. Both the story-writing and premise are very interesting. I have a lot of respect for any writer than can both do their homework reading up on history, and take the time to incorporate that work into a well crafted story, rather than simply list out TLs like facts from a dictionary.

Good TLs involving Sweden seem to be quite rare on the board, and I follow this one with great interest.

Thankyou very much. It is comments like this that inspires me to continue this TL.

[frozenpredator]

Ecellent written updates battles seem realistic and well researched and written congrats

[Cecil]

This is the finest piece of work I´ve read on this forum in a long time.

[Cecil]

Oh ya almost forgot. Whats the bigger implications of this seeming swedish victory? The diplomatic game will be slightly different, I´ll take that as a given but this could supposedly lead to Napoleon adopting a different strategy assuming his relationship with the tsar still falls through.

[von Adler]

Originally Posted by Cecil

Oh ya almost forgot. Whats the bigger implications of this seeming swedish victory? The diplomatic game will be slightly different, I´ll take that as a given but this could supposedly lead to Napoleon adopting a different strategy assuming his relationship with the tsar still falls through.

Sweden is a minor issue to Napoleon really, however, the continental system will start cracking a bit earlier and some might be emboldened by Sweden standing firm against the Napoleonic Hegemony. British diplomacy will have more clout when trying to form another coalition. The immediate consequence will probably be that it is easier for the British to convince the Spaniards to resist the French, which will probably put the Peninsular War back on track despite Moore and his men guarding the Swedish-Norweigan border instead of fighting in Portugal.

[von Adler]

Frozenpredator and Cecil, thank you very much for your comments.

[Rubicon]

Me still likey

[DTF955Baseballfan]

Very interesting; i skimmed through it just now. I'm working on a timeline that might never get off the ground with Jefferson winning the 1796 election int he U.S., and butterflies lead to the danish entering on the Coalition side after Trafalgar. (I think that's the best tiem, let me know if another seems to work better. I'll say that for one, a delay of a few days in shipyard preparedness leads to the British fleet feing just a couple days later for the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, and witht he Swedes helping protect the Danish, it brigns them a little closer together.) Anyway, I'm also thinking of a status quot peace in thsi war, but because the Swedes have mroe forces at the ready since they don't fear Danish invasion. (And Bernadotte dies)

The butterflies are quite interesting. I've been reading up on it because of my TL, which might never get off the ground of course and isn't near this detailed anyway. It does seem like there are some interesting PODs. I wonder why it doesn't get as much press or as many TLs. Is AH more common in the United states or something?

[von Adler]

1808-09-11. 10:05.
While Cronstedts initial assault shows some promise, it is soon evident that de Tolly is ready for him. After fighting Sandels for months, de Tolly has learned to appreciate forward posts, light troops skirmishing and learning the difference between a faint and a main attack before the battle is joined. Cronstedt will soon learn that de Tolly has no intention at all to retreat. However, making the classic gambler's mistake, he throws good money after bad and presses his attacks nevertheless.

1808-09-11. 10:45.
By now it is evident that in this battle, which is small-scale, but is still, to the pain of Sandels, fought like a regular battle according to the knowledge of the time, that the Russian line infantry is still better than its Swedish equilent, and that light rifle-armed Jägare and Dragoner have problems standing muzzle to muzzle and delivering volleys against line infantry. The Swedish attack is repulsed, and the Russian reserve is sizable enough to deter any flanking movement.

1808-09-11. 12:00.
As the Swedish line is less and less willing to march into volley distance and casualties are mounting, while the Russian lines remain unbroken, Cronstedt tries to get more of his artillery closer, but de Tolly, having studied the Swedish usage of artillery at Helsingfors, has spread out his own few light troops among the infantry, in small groups of chosen men, to act as sharpshooters with strict orders to only target the Swedish artillerymen. The tactic proves effective enough to prevent the Swedish artillerymen to rake the Russian line with impunity, and Cronstedt's artillery suffers great casualties.

1808-09-11. 12:15.
As the battle is decidedly swinging in Russian favour, Cronstedt decides to commit his cavalry in a massive charge, the largest seen in the war so far, to break the Russian line. 1 500 cavalrymen form a column to charge the Russian centre. It is a magnificient sight - so much cavalry in a single charge has not been seen in the Swedish army since 1708. The horses and men thunder down on the Russians like a lavine of flesh and steel - and bounce.

The Russians have formed squares, and while some of the cavalry, still influenced by an offensive spirit, ride straight into the bayonets and break one of the Russian squares, cutting down a large part of the battalion that formed it, the rest of the Russians stand firm. The cavalry reorganise, and charge again - only to bounce completely this time. A third charge peters out even before it reaches pistol range in face of a massive Russian volley.


1808-09-11. 13:00.
By now, de Tolly is confident enough to commit his reserve and starts driving the demoralised Swedes from the field. Most of 3. (Lätta) Divisionen routs under the Russian pressure, with the otherwise so proud and feared Jägare running like the devil himself was on their heels, to the wild cheers of the Russian line infantry. However, the Swedish superiority in cavaly, and the fact that Sandels have managed to keep his own Savolaxbrigaden mostly intact (by disobeying orders and using skirmishing tactics against the Russian lines facing him rather than going in for a close attack) means that de Tolly cannot crush the Swedes as he would have wanted to. He keeps close contact, captures most of the Swedish artillery (only the guns, and to the credit of the Swedish artillerymen, most of the pieces are spiked) and continues to press onwards. Recapturing Nyslott seems feasible.

1808-09-11. 23:30.
All afternoon and evening, de Tolly have driven the exhausted remains of 3. (Lätta) Divisionen in front of his troops, marching towards Nyslott. Cronstedt and his staff seem to have fled and left Sandels to try to pick up what remains. However, by now de Tolly has received the horrible news from the Battle of Svartholma and have to break his pursuit of Sandels and 3. (Lätta) Divisionen. During the night, de Tolly and his men slips away to march towards Viborg, something which they do skillfully, arriving to reinforce Bulatov on the 14th.

3. (Lätta) Divisionen have lost almost 1 000 men in dead and wounded, of which half is cavalry and is for some time out as a fighting force. The Russians have lost only 300 men in total, with a further 200 stragglers during their march through the dense woods to Viborg.

[frozenpredator]

a setback for the Swedes, interesting. hope that the situation can still be saved

[von Adler]

Villmansstrand is really quite minor compared to Svartholma, but it shows that the Swedish army is not perfect, especially its leadership.

[imperialaquila]

Originally Posted by von Adler

Villmansstrand is really quite minor compared to Svartholma, but it shows that the Swedish army is not perfect, especially its leadership.

Yes, they get victory disease like everyone else....

This likely means that Sweden will get a status quo ante bellum peace. They may be able to parley Osel into at least a partial restoration of the pre-1743 borders, but it's unlikely.

[von Adler]

1808-09-15.
Ever careful, especially after the reversal of Villmansstrand, regardless how small compared to the victory at Svartholma, af Klercker advanced to pursue Bulatov. By the 15th he arrives outside Viborg, having occupied all parts of Finland lost in the peace of 1743.

At Viborg, Bulatov has been joined by de Tolly, have drawn all garrisons of the Nyslott County and some reinforcements, as well as forces that have been drawn from Estonia and Livonia. In all, he can now muster 10 500 men, however, the veterans are demoralised and the new recruits and garrisons never were first rate soldiers in first rate units. Nevertheless, Bulatov and de Tolly prepare a skilled defence around the old city with its iconic castle, while af Klercker, now in command of an excess of 25 000 men, surround the city and dominate the terrain between Viborg and S:t Petersburg. Slowly the archipelago navy and the combined squadron of Swedish navy chip away at the defences of the Russian army, while af Klercker's army inches its way closer, digging trenches and bombaring the Russian defences.

As the weeks pass, the British work furiously to resolve the conflict, and soon serious negotiations start, conducted at the Swedish embassy in London.

[Geordie]

More good stuff Von Adler! It'll be interesting to see Britain try to reconcile the Swedes and Russians, as well as the French reaction.

Apologies if this has been touched upon, but this timeline will strengthen the king. If Gustavian absolutism survives, then an 1848 type outpouring could see interesting times in Stockholm...

[von Adler]

1808-09-20.
As negotiations continue, they move from London to Helsingfors, where the King himself takes command of the Swedish diplomatic team, to the horror of both the British and the Russians, as King Gustav IV Adolf is legendarily pig-headed. However, the King are in good spirits. His country has proved itself, he ahs fought himself in a decisive battle and all over Europe donw-trodden monarchs look to Sweden for inspiration on how to resist the little corporal Bonaparte.

Both sides agree to a cease fire. The siege of Viborg will continue, but with no offensive manouvres by either side. While af Klercker actually opposes this move, as it will allow the Russians to build up a new army around S:t Petersburg, the King agrees. The Russians are allowed to ship in food, but not military supplies to Viborg and Bulatov's army.

As for the negotiations, they drag on. The King wants extensive consessions from the Russians, while the British diplomatic team wants a peace as soon as possible. The Russians, directed directly from S:t Petersburg, first try to stall, then try to offer as little as possible.

The Swedes make it known that they will not accept a Status Quo peace, like the Russian initially offer. War reparations will not be enough either. The King wants the Estonian islands, Fort Kola, Nyslott (the territory lost 1743), Viborg and the entire county of Kexholm. The Russians, of course, say no and increase the pace of rebuilding their army, partially publically so, to put some pressure on the Swedes. However, the Russians have a war against the Ottoman Empire going on, and it ios not going that well either. The promised French support never showed up. Coastal shipping in Estonia and Livonia has been completely shut down and the harvest risks rotting in the silos in Riga, S:t Petersburg and Reval if shipping cannot resume. There are also early signs of a lack of food in S:t Petersburg - while the Neva can ship a lot to the city, much of the grain usually comes from the estates in Livonia, shipped along the coast.

The whole war has been an embarrasement for the Russians, and they have little to gain from continuing it. Luxury goods and needed imports are not available at all, and the Russian nobility is complaining about the lack of their favourite luxuries for the sake of the upstart Corsican.

However, the Swedish demands are too high, and the Russians are unwilling to agree. The Swedes are also under pressure. When late autumn arrive, they will have big problems supporting the army around Viborg, especially if the British withdraw their troops and support to focus on Portugal and Spain, as the British diplomats politely hint at to their Swedish counterparts. The war is putting a heavy strain on Swedish society and not even the public execution of traitors caught in Fredrikshamn can do much against the cracks that show in the firmament of society, especially in Finland - which has borne all the devastation of fighting and marching armies.

A breakthrough in the negotiations finally arrive through two events in late September. The first is a British promise to support a Swedish conquest of Norway, and the annexation of said country into the Kingdom of Sweden post-war. An annexation of Norway would forever remove the Danish ability to threaten Sweden on two fronts and would allow Sweden to concentrate on any one enemy fully at any given time, which would improve Sweden's strategical situation immensly.

The other event is a direct meeting between Czar Alexander I and King Gustav IV Adolf at the front at Kymlinge Älv. The Swedish King, having inherited a dramatic flair from his father, holds an impromptu speech.

"We consider ourselves the friend of Russia and its Czar. After all, should we not be united in our struggle against the enemies of civilization? Should not we, monarchs by the Will and Grace of God in our respective countries, stand fast against the forces of darkness, evil and turmoil that have engulfed Europe? We, who stand tall and straight still, should not be bickering at a time when Europe bows its backs to a monster born out of the gutter. Czar, Emperor of all Russians, would you not take our hand and stand with us rather than against us in this struggle? Destiny calls, my Dear Czar, the banner waits to be brought forward, shall we not clasp it together?"

The Czar, a man who was said to be easy to influence, was visibly moved, and took the King's hand, to the cheers of both the Russian and Swedish honour guards at the end of the bridge over Kymlinge Älv. The two monarchs would proceed to drink quite a lot during the evening and parted as professed friends and allies the morning after, despite heavy hangovers.

Of course, a peace is not made by a handshake, and the final treaty contained more than just a friendship. Indeed, it contained everything but friendship.

The Peace of Helsingfors, as it would be called, contained the following clauses.

1. The border between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Empire of Russia shall be moved eastward. The parts of Nyslott's County lost in the Peace of 1743 shall be returned to Sweden, restoring the southern border to its 1721 status.

2. Russia shall concede on the border conflict north of Ladoga (this is a mere formality, as Sweden has held and controlled this territory sicne at least 1770).

3. Sweden shall leave Ösel and Dagö and return the islands to the authorities of the Russian Empire. However, an amnesty for anyone having helpded the Swedish troops shall be proclaimed. Also, any Swedish-speaking Estonians currently residing in Gammelsvenskby in Ukraine or elsewhere in the Russian Empire by Imperial Decree, shall be allowed to return to Estonia.

4. Russia shall pay war indemnities consisting of 10 000 000 riskdaler over a time of four years (one riksdaler contains 25,5 grams of silver - this can be compared to the 5 000 000 riksdaler the British have agreed to provide Sweden with yearly for the duration of the war. The Russians shall also set aside a sum of 500 000 riskdaler for pruchasing land equilent to any such siezed for the Swedish-speaking Estonians who return to Estonia.

5. Both sides shall return any prisoners of war.

6. In a secret clause, Russia shall allow Swedish merchants access to its ports at the same levels, priority and tolls as native merchants (in essense this means that Russia leaves the continental system, at least through Swedish proxy).

The treaty is signed on the 30th of September and goes into effect on the 1st of October. The Swedsih army, with flying colours and playing drums and pipes, march away from Viborg, after exchanging honours with Bulatov's army.

[frozenpredator]

and so peace returns to the north, and with Russia secretely out of the continental system things look bad for ole nappy