Count Johan August Sandels (31 August 1764 – 22 January 1831)^[1] was a Swedish soldier and politician, being appointed Governor-general of Norway (Riksståthållare in Swedish, Rigsstatholder in Dano-Norwegian) 1818 and Field Marshal in 1824. He also served as acting Governor of Stockholm in 1815.

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Field Marshal Count Johan August Sandels
Portrait by Per Krafft the Younger
Born	(1764-08-31)31 August 1764 Stockholm, Sweden
Died	22 January 1831(1831-01-22) (aged 66) Stockholm, Sweden
Buried	Klara Church
Allegiance	Sweden
Service/branch	Swedish Army
Years of service	1775–1827
Rank	Field Marshal
Battles/wars	Finnish War Battle of Pulkkila Battle of Koljonvirta War of the Sixth Coalition Combat of Roßlau
Awards	Royal Order of the Seraphim Commander with the Great Cross of the Order of the Sword Knight with the Great Cross of the Order of the Sword Lord of the Realm
Spouse(s)	Ulrika Elisabeth Hermelin
Children	6
Other work	Governor-general of Norway
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Sandels was born in Stockholm. In the Finnish War (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 during the War of the Sixth Coalition in 1813 and 1814. He received some award for his services in form of a donation lands in the then Swedish Pomerania.

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.

Sandels is a beer brewed by Olvi since 1971.^[2] 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.^[3]

• The Tales of Ensign Stål