the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

efore the Swedes retreated to Tavastheus pursued by the hussars and Cossacks.
However, Bagration had to halt the pursuit because he received news (later proved to be
false) that Gorchakov faced considerable Swedish forces near Helsingfors. He divided his
column into two units, dispatching a small detachment to Tavastheus and leading the
remaining forces to southwards to Mäntsälä to support Gorchakov. 29
At the same time, General Klercker began concentrating his forces at Tavastheus.
His forces moved in two columns, 30 with the left column of Colonel Karl Johan
Adlercreutz moving through Lahtis and Orimattila. 31 Adlercreutz delayed his movement
to evacuate the supplies and bivouacked his forces around Orimattila and Kekele.
However, he failed to organize effective defense of the village and did not posted the
sentries. Late on 26 February, Bagration’s advance guard approached the Swedish
positions at Kekele unnoticed. Major General Müller, who commanded the Russian
troops, ordered the assault with shouts of “Hurrah.” The Swedes were surprised by the
attack, but still managed to put up resistance. The troops of Åbo Regiment and Nyland
Jagers fought half naked in the cold of the night. 32
28 Bagration lost 6 killed and 27 wounded and 6 missing. He reported the Swedish losses as
60 killed, 4 wounded and 2 captured. He also claimed the Swedes evacuated some 50 more
wounded. The Russians captured 50 quarters of grain and flour. Journal of Military Operations in
Finland, 41-42.
29 Narrative of the Conquest of Finland, 6; Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, War in Finland, 22-23
30 The right column was commanded by Colonel Palpfelt and comprised of Nyland Infantry
Regiment, ½ Elime company, a battalion of Bjornborg Regiment, the 6 th and 7 th Squadrons, and
two divisions of 1 st and 3 rd 6-pnd batteries. Sweden Generalstaben, Krigshistoriska avdelningen,
II, 86.
31 Adlercreutz had Tavastheus Regiment, a Jager Battalion and 5 th Squadron on his left flank
moving to Lahtis. On the right wing, the Åbo Regiment, Bjorneborg Regiment, ½ of Elime
Company, 8 th Squadron and 2 nd and 3 rd division of 1 st 6-pnd battery proceeded to Orimattila.
Ibid., II, 78.
32 According to the Swedish General Staff study, the temperature was -32.80F (-36C).
Krigshistoriska avdelningen, II, 87.
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