Battle of Mönninvaara

Battle of Mönninvaara
Part of the Finnish War
The Battle at Mönninvaara by Gunnar Hallström
Date 31 July 1808 Location Mönninvaara, Finland Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Olli Tiainen	Major Scheene
Strength
150	200

The Battle of Mönninvaara was a battle during the Finnish War of 1808–1809. The battle was fought between Swedish and Russian forces on 31 July 1808 at Mönninvaara.

Background

In North Karelia real hostilities began only in the summer of 1808. A Russian detachment under the command of Major General Alexeyev attempting to march through Pälkjärvi to bypass Johan August Sandels and his troops in Toivala. Olli Tiainen gathered up all the people around Pielisjärvi and in boats the peasants rowed to the south of the lake, after which they grouped up at Ahvenus on 30 July and then went to Mönninvaara to meet the Russian advance. The vulnerable guard that was stationed in Mönninvaara quickly fled. However, the Russians returned at sunrise the following day, they were now led by Major Scheene and were 200 men strong.

Battle

Olli Tiainen had scattered his men in the rye fields and in the small forests on both sides of the road, and the peasants, aiming steadily, cut down one by one the Russian dragoons who could not get out of the road. Finally, it is true, the Russians reached the open field, but even there they suffered from the peasants' fire and considered it necessary to withdraw, after previously setting fire to the farm.