The Express.
London, England, 1864-04-05 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EifEBENG, APRIL 5, 1864.

THE WAR IN DENMARK.

(Tux out IFICILL

SONDERBORG, 2[.301 !9.

Yesterday's battle has evidently satisfied the
enemy of his:inability to storm Dybbiil-hill without
first breaching or dismantling some of the redoubts.
No further attempt was made after their grand
repulse, early on Monday morning, to bring up
another Prussian column. A flag of truce pro-
tected the burying parties between eleven and one
o'clock, then some more shells were sent from
Broagerland, and the evening closed in amid drizzly
rain that soon reduced both sides to silence. This
little town was very cheerful despite of adverse
weather, people marched about aim-in-arm singing
lustily, wHat for once I noticed a few soldiers not
quite sober. Such exhibitions of intemperance are
so rare among Danish troops that they seem
to excite disgust in the crowd around
rather than amusement, a proof of whole-
some feeling in this respect. Some allowance
is, moreover, due to natural rejoicings at a great
success, for, put it as they may, the invaders re-
ceived a lesson during those four hours of darkness
and grey dawn on March 28 which they will long
remember. Possibly we have over-estimated their
loss in killed and wounded, but the utter defeat of
every attack was beyond a doubt ; and Prussian
officers, recklessly exposing themselves to lead
forward unwilling battalions, knew well what
Europe would think.
As regards the latest details of Monday's engage-
ment, therein not yet much additional light thrown
upon any part of it. What the 'enemy's object
could have been other than a bold attempt to sur-
prise some outwork by his sudden advance, and
then, moving in great force against this weak
place, to effect there a permanent lodgment,
does not appear. All who saw the action describe
the Danish artillery as firing splendidly. Shells
were exploded just along each bank and ditch
which sheltered Prussian skirmishers, with a
rapidity highly creditable to the Danish
gunners. No troops can endure a point
blank discharge from heavy pieces ; and by
degrees the enemy's columns melted into a broken
line of sharpshooters, sometimes coming forward
like a wave along the shore, and then surging back
beneath the withering fire directed upon them. I
am told that German officers were heard encouraging
their men to charge so late aa seven o'clock, but all
hope of storming Dybbol-bill was already gone
much earlier, and no supports moved up after day-
break. The enemy gradually withdrew his army
from Dybbol village, set it alight, and left a few
regiments to skirmish meanwhile. With this view of
the battle wecan understand why every effort subse-
quent to the first two or three assaults was so feeble.
If their surprise had succeeded, the Prussians would
have poured masses of men against our reserves,
and a battle of I kerman n have been fought behind the
Danish batteries. Finding it impossible to make any
impression with night in his favour, Marshal
Wrangel prudently retreated, instead of dashing
the whole army to fragments against an impreg-
nable line of fortifications. They must have over-
estimated the damage done by their cannon from
Broager, and thus been tempted on too soon ; but
the Prussians were needlessly rash in continuing an
action clearly lost to them, and thus giving the
Danes a still greater triumph. Musketry volleys
rolled along the front until past eight o'clock, when
at last that waving irregular mass of broken troops
was recalled from a useless struggle. The noise of
firing grew more and more distant, German hurrahs
died away, and a shout went up from the Danish
line that announced their complete victory.
It was Easter Monday, when probably thousands
of English volunteers were parading in every part
of the country. Many a good wish for Denmark
must have been murmured as oar gallant young
fellows assembled under arms. Oh, if a dozen
crack London corps could but enjoy one quiet
afternoon with these swarming hordes of invaders,
how it would relieve the Danes. Five to one is
fearful odds, and even such affairs as yesterday will
not long save Sooderborg from destruction, unless
by gaining time for help to oome. The Alexandra
Guard excited immense enthusiasm out here.
"Denmark is no. utterly deserted in her utmost
need," was the general exclamation, and all eyes
are still stra"iing towards England for some sign
of assistance. Will it ever appear ?
Many persons may like to know what are the
words of the favourite song in the army of General
Gerlach :
THE DANISH SOLDIER'S SONG.
Air—" Den Tappre lAndsoldat."
And when I march away,
The bloody wars to pee,
My sweetheart loop to come,
Yee, my girl would march with me.
That must you not, my dear,
I go to battle plain ;
And rf I have not fallen,
You'll see me back spin.
Now, but for this same dagger,
rd stay at home with thee,
But all the Danish maidens,
They put their trust in me.
And so I fight with joy,
A gallant soldier boy.
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah
My fath:r old and grave,
Mr mother with • tear,
They gave their blessing straight,
Aod bade me have no fear ;
" Our trust's in our eau,
To battle he must go,
Then who shall plough the meadow?
And who the gram shall mow ? "
Ali, that's the very reason
We all must march away ;
For else the Germans trample
On farrow and on bay,
And so we fight with joy,
Each gallant soldier boy.
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah !
For maidens and (or land,
To keep them rife and sure,
Eaeh Dane must take 11:. stand,
As MOOG have stood before.
Who but will give his life
To drive back foes that peek
Destruction to our baorer,
And tongue which freemen speak ?
Now, if I'm not returning
To friends that weep and pray,
King Christian will comfort them,
And this is what he'll say :
" He died, his duty done,
Your gallant soldier son."
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

This is a rather free transhition, but it conveys
exactly the spirit of the celebrated Danish song, a
spirit which finds an echo in every soldier's heart.
80NDERBORG, MARCH 29rs, 6 P.M.
_ .

Very little firing to day, only a stray shell or so
from Broagerland against No. 2 redoubt. We are
certain that the enemy was badly ent up in his
unsuccessful ►ttack, for he has since remained per-
fectly quiet without an attempt to regain the laurels
then lost. " Rolf Krake" sustained no serious
damage, and is ready for another brush in Von.
ningbund. The weather lovely, with a gentle
southerly wind. Danish losses said to be one
hundred and twenty in all. Four Prussian officers
were captured.

At the quarterly meeting of the Oxfortlahire
Justice* bold yesterdey, Mr. Hammersley in the obsir. it
was unanimously resolved, upon the proposition of the
Doke of Marlborough, seconded by the Earl of Mat-
elealleld, that Mr. Thornhill, of Woodley's, near Wood-
stock. be appointed deputy chairman of quarter eassioaa,
a change following the recent retirement of the Right
Hon. J. W. Henley, from the chairmanship,

TRIALS OF THE ARMSTRONG AND WHIT-
WORTH GUNS AT SHORBITRYNRSa

The grand course of experiments arranged by
the Special Committee appointed to examine into
the merits and defects of the two rival systems of
artillery was entered upon yesterday afternoon
after more than one postponement. It may, how-
ever, now be considered that the important ques-
tions which have so long been discussed in reference
to the artillery of the services will at any rate have
a thorough investigation at the hands of the Com-
mittee which has now commenced work under the
presidency of Major-General Rumley. Judging
from the high reputation of the other members
there is every reason to expect that the whole sub-
ject will be ably and impartially considered, and we
may hope that a satisfactory and final solution of
the difficulties may be arrived at. That there are
very serious defects in the newly adopted
art"lery of the service, particularly in the heavier
guns, the fact of this inquiry sufficiently
shows. That Mr. Whitworth has repeatedly,
for years past, brought forward guns employing
projectiles more effective against iron-plated ships
than any other guns, very accurate, and having very
long range, is also a reason for this inquiry, since
these guns are not in the service. There was,
indeed, no way of coming to a satisfactory decision
upon this most important matter, involving expen.
diture so enormous and interests so vital to the
country, but by inviting Sir William Arm-
strong and Mr. Whitworth to a competitive trial
of their systems. This has been done, after due
notice, enabling those accomplished scientific artil-
lerists to produce the best guns they could upon
which to stake the merits of their respective weapons.
The Special Committee have drawn up a most ex-
tensive programme, determined evidently to prove
the weak as well as the strong points in the two
systems. At present it is of course not desirable
to publish this; but it may be stated without inter-
fering to the prejudice of the experiments, that
range, initial velocity, and retardation of the shot,
accuracy, destructive effect and penetration of iron
plates and other defects, are the principal points laid
down together with durability, handiness of gun,
and ammunition liability to injury from rough
usage, and indeed all, and more than all that
some would think necessary to consider.
With regard to this very extended course of
trial, it must be evident that it is most desirable
for the sake of all parties that the experiments
should be got through as quickly as possible. If
the programme is strictly adhered to in the one
particular, fas example, of testing accuracy by firing
ten rounds from every gun at each range from 200
yards up to 3,000 with five trial shots at each
range, it will take months to complete the trials.
To this, if the time for consideration and decision
is added, and further the time inevitably required
for making any gun that may be decided upon,
another year will slip by without a broadside gun
for the navy.
The guns to be tried are 12-pounder field pieces
or 3-inch guns, and a 70-pounder or 5-inch gun.
The field pieces are the service Armstrong, the
Shunt gun of Sir W. Armstrong, and the 12-pounder
muzzle loader of Mr. Whitworth, all of which were
fired yesterday from three inclined platforms upon
the sea wall that bounds the Shoebirryness ground,
which is about 17 feet above the sands. The day was
very favourable to the practice, there being little
wind, and the trials are to be continued every day
until the series laid down has been completed. The
70-pounders will not be tried for some weeks to
come.