Count Johan August Sandels (31 August 1764 – 22 January 1831) was a
Swedish soldier and politician, being appointed
Governor-general of Norway (''Riksståthållare'' in Swedish, ''Rigsstatholder'' in
Dano-Norwegian
Dano-Norwegian (Danish language, Danish and ) was a Koine language, koiné/mixed language that evolved among the urban elite in Norwegian cities during the later years of the union between the Denmark–Norway, Kingdoms of Denmark and Norway (1 ...
) 1818 and
Field Marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army (in countries without the rank of Generalissimo), and as such, few persons a ...
in 1824. He also served as acting
Governor of Stockholm in 1815.
Biography
Sandels was born in
Stockholm
Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
. In the
Finnish War
The Finnish War (; ; ) was fought between the Gustavian era, Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire from 21 February 1808 to 17 September 1809 as part of the Napoleonic Wars. As a result of the war, the eastern third of Sweden was established a ...
(1808–1809) on 27 October 1808, he led the Swedish troops to victory against the
Russian forces, at the
Battle of Koljonvirta. His subordinate officers were Colonel Fahlander, Major Malm and Major
Joachim Zachris Duncker.
These events and others in the Finnish War were later retold in a
series of epic poems by
Johan Ludvig Runeberg. Runeberg's poem tells a story of Sandels having a feast while the enemy mounts a premature attack. Sandels continues his meal and is accused of cowardice, after which he raises and rides to the battle, drives back the enemy and is praised by his men.
Sandels also fought in the Swedish ranks against
Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
during the
War of the Sixth Coalition
In the War of the Sixth Coalition () (December 1812 – May 1814), sometimes known in Germany as the Wars of Liberation (), a coalition of Austrian Empire, Austria, Kingdom of Prussia, Prussia, Russian Empire, Russia, History of Spain (1808– ...
in 1813 and 1814. He received some award for his services in form of a donation lands in the then
Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania (; ) was a dominions of Sweden, dominion under the Sweden, Swedish Crown from 1630 to 1815 on what is now the Baltic Sea, Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. Following the Polish-Swedish War, Polish War and the Thirty Years' War ...
.
His granddaughter, Augusta Sandels, married
Philip, Prince of Eulenburg and Hertefeld, bringing some Pomeranian inheritance to the
Eulenburg family and her descendants. The couple were granted the Prussian title of Count Sandels, in addition to their other titles.
Finnish beer brand

''
Sandels'' is a beer brewed by
Olvi since 1971. Humorous stories about Colonel Sandels (and his love of beer and food) are printed on the back label. ''Sandels'' was named the top rated beer brand in Finland in a 2015 study.
See also
* ''
The Tales of Ensign Stål
''The Tales of Ensign Stål'' (Swedish language, Swedish original title: , , or year 2007 translation ) is an epic poem written in Swedish by the Finland-Swedish author Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland. It was published in two ...
''
References
External links
Biography of Johan August Sandels*
1764 births
1831 deaths
Military personnel from Stockholm
19th-century Swedish nobility
Field marshals of Sweden
Swedish military personnel of the Finnish War
Swedish military commanders of the Napoleonic Wars
Governors-general of Norway
{{Sweden-mil-bio-stub
Johan August
19th-century Swedish military personnel
19th-century Swedish politicians