The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-08 00:00:00

elistaped? Id. ii.ddltional.l

THE WAR IN DENMARK.

.

(nor ova snow.

COPENHAGEN, F. 29.

On my journey from Senderborg I bad a fair
opportunity of learning how kindly the Danes
treat their sick and wounded. A passage was
liberally offered me in one of those frequent
steamers that carry the invalided soldiers of Den-
mark to a place more secure than any part of Alien
can now be considered. We lay alongside the
wharf for several hours, receiving our dismal cargo.
Some were able to walk up the gangway
leaning on a stick, others tottered between two
hospital nurses, and sat to rest on each step of the
cabin stairs. Many were brought with the help of
litters, groaning pitifully at every motion. A few
scald not be taken below, and were secured in •
sheltered spot behind the deck house. Here were
strOng healthy lads of a week ago reduced to helpless
wrecks, with death written on their wan cheeks, or
lamed for the remainder of their days. Such a
sight would make even German statesmen regret
this unhappy war. There is, indeed, an account of
innocent blood against those who have caused these
grave, hard-working Danish peasants to leave
their ploughs and fishing nets for the defence of
the fatherland. At length all were on board ; the
moorings were cast off, ►nd we slipped swiftly
away, leaving bridges and tote-de-pont, Dybbal
windmill, the forts, the ships, and that weather-
beaten old castle, to fade out of sight over our
stern, or be lost to view as we rounded
the southern extremity of the island.
Turning from this parting glimpse of the
dearly prized stronghold, which now represents
all King Christian'u Shemin dominions, I looked
with • feeling of deep interest at my unlucky fel-
low travellers. They were, of course, not the same
in any two cases, as regarded their degree of suffer-
ing and helplesances. The cheerful soldier, whose
hand had been hurt on February 22, came very
gaily aft to light his pipe. " What, were a couple
of fingers tobe eounted as anything I Certainly not,"
and he laughed heartlly,stooping the while to make
a wounded prisoner more comfortable. Another with
some damage to Lis foot hobbled about, talking
seriously of a future mode of life. I will notsay much
concerning the dangerous wounds, as there is no
need to shock my readers. It will be better to
speak of the great attention which those in charge
paid to all their patients. Everything was done
that could be thought of to make them bear the
voyage without a single unnecessary pang. Soup
was several times handed round, the seasick were
carefully tended, and nothing of indifference or
brutality appeared among either the medical officers
or their ruddy-faced subordinates. Our passage
was very favourable, and the steamer entered
Svendborg Fjord in leas than three hours. A
vessel full of young recruits glided past us
as we reached the town, but not a sound
in reply to their ringing hurrahs arose
from the hospital ship. A cap was
waved here and there, they had no heart to
cheer, and this dead silence was far more eloquent
than any speech could have been. At Svenborg an
eager crowd awaited our coming, looking into each
pale altered countenance with fear and wonder.
Women screamed and fainted when the answer was

"he is dead," or rushed forward joyfully to em-
brace some well-beloved but shattered form that
limped on to the pier. They must have gathered
from distant villages, as many of the invalids
seemed to be recognised. Mostly such greetings
were but for a moment, and the sufferers went on
to be cured in hospital, but some joined their
families at once, and amongst these fortunate per-
sons I saw with real pleasure the merry soldier whose
hand had been injured. He was met by a pleasant
motherly body, leading a child of six or seven, and
marched off in triumph between them. Such
meetings, alas are rare, and in the efforts which
generous English sympathisers seem to be making
for the wounded Danes, efforts fully appreciated by
Denmark, it will be well to direct more of the funds
so raised to support widows and orphans than to
help the vietirat themselves. The Danish army
is supplied with every necessary, and its
wounded are taken great care of, but
no means exist in this country of provid-
ing for such as are left destitute by the
hiss of husband, son, or brother, in this un-
happy struggle. A small but gallant nation is
straining every nerve to avoid destruction ; her
people are called out for the defence of their native
land, and men of every r►nk obey the summons.
The army contains not only young conscripts and
professional 'oldie's, but quiet middle-aged fathers
of families, volunteers both rich and poor, trades-
men, mechanics, and students. If we in England
were to equip one million of troops, and then see
the force so raised steadily over-matched by some
countless horde of invaders, our position would
closely resemble that of Denmark at this moment.
Any help from abroad will be a relief, and money
is scarce with our Norm kindred, so that even in
regard to the wounded it is quite right to
offer assistance, although their own govern-
ment does wonders for them. But the question

of supporting widows, and helping crippled soldiers
to live in comfort when the war is over, has been

much discussed in Copenhagen. A bazaar was held
here last week, for the Danish Patriotic Fund, and a
committee of ladies is hard at work in further_
anee of this national charity.

I will not attempt to describe Svendborg, for,

like all these towns upon creeks and fjords, it
must look very pretty in summer-time, but is
cheerless and dirty when seen during a thaw. The
hospital is well posted on high grouud, with plenty
of fresh air ; there are no fortifications, and very
few troops, which must be on the whole a good thing
fur a place, in civilized warfare. Travelling from
Svendborg across Fyeu to Nyberg, I easily reached
Korslir, and came thence by railway to this city.
Yaws I.

News bas arrived of a skirmish in J

when thirty Prussians were taken., and, small as is
such a success, it has given lively satisfaction to
the Danish public. They naturally weary of con-
stant retreats, blockades, and sieges, in fact of
playing • losing game, and are glad to hear of the
least movement that gives their cavalry a chance
of riding down the enemy's hussars.
We hear that • contribution is being demanded
in Kolding by the Germans. They are not at war with
Denmark when their ships meet Danish cruisers,
or would wish not to be ; but, once begun, there
is no setting a limit to the course of hostilities.
Austrian vessels are sent round in the North Sea
to protect German trade. Prussians push over
the borders of Sleewig, and invade • purely
Danish province. It is difficult for Europe, how-
ever unwilling, not to have • wide-spread conflict as
the result of claims, by two military despotisms,
against • free and constitutional government.
Where all this time are the people of Germany 1 They
cannot wish to destroy Denmark, that their own
, masters may become more powerful

[TWOPENCE

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALLI3.-.-MONDAY.
The mosenity of an eadrr departure for Liverpool, added
to the excitement of the 's proceedings, inemnach
se there was considerable anxiety exhibited by various COOP
lialliollll.l to get their beiimen Mansetted in order to
"catch" the 5 o'clock expran into from Eustosequaris.
The Grand Neticcal was the prinoipsl, if not the only,
dium of speculetiou, Bantam being in great form at 6 to 1,
taken freely, though before the close of the room the
mine odds were Mimed oa the field, 100 to 15 Wag
about Emblematic to money. Wee Nell,
accept
and Jcamidem were each supported at 10
to 1 ; but as the room tiepn to thin there seemed
to be some mosey still left to lay against the
latter. Real Jam was firm at 15 to 1 taken. s point
more being accepted about Ocean Witch. Bell's Life was
backed for more money perhaps than anything, Renee
being also frequently ioquised after at the seine price-25
to 1. The Northamptooshire Stakes was chiefly remark-
able for the rapid advance of Lioness, shout whom as little
ss 7 to 1 wee taken in the mune of Waimea. but 8 to
moat be accepted es the ruling pries at the finials. Tea
centuries" were laid once against Scottish Chief for the
Derby, but one very old member, fearing the chance might
slip through his fingers, was glad to accept a point lets to
1501. Subsequently, however, those odde were offered,
half a paint more being demanded.—Closing prices .