The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-29 00:00:00

THE WAR IN DENMARK.

(fox oua erzaAL

SONDERBOBG, liAsca n.

It is now known that Denmark has accepted $
conference, and this great piece of news was imme
diately followed by King Christian's arrival in
Alien. Some people suppose that his Majesty will
arrange with Marshal Wrangel for a suspension of
hostilities. Others maintain that fighting is still
to continue. If these last are right in their view
of the case, nothing will have been gained to Den-
mark by entering the conference, for she must still
I make ruinous efforts to protect her invaded terri-
tories. Moreover, there is danger that Europe may
sooner be tempted to forget the utter injustice of
Austria and Prussia, should those Powers appear
as negotiators. Even a burglar acquires momen-
tary respectability when standing politely, pistol in
hand, to treat with his victims. And Danish
claims will, perhaps, suffer neglect through this
very meeting with her enemies at the council
board.. Of one thing there can be scarcely a doubt,
saiseini-timt no goverameut at Copenhagen would
venture to yield up all that Germany demands. A
conference may serve to show, for neutrals' benefit,
what are the points at issue between the belligerents
-♦ matter wall known to themselves—and there its
usefulness will probably end.
The King has visited Dybbol-hill, running some
risk, it is said, from a bursting shell ; and then,
with his usual kindness of heart, he spent half a
day in the hospitals of Auguatenburg. Such at-
tention to the wounded soldiers is keenly felt by
their comrades, and Christian LX. stands well with
his army. In a force so highly educated things are
discussed pretty freely ;rulers suspected of weak-
ness would forfeit all esteem, and the commonest
Dane knows exactly what he is fighting for. A
thorough gentleman, as is his Majesty of Denmark,
will sever desert the cause which he has sworn to
defend. "We are safe with the King," is re-
marked on every side, "and the ministers dare not
betray us."
I went yesterday to the extreme left, opposite
Broagerland, where most damage has been received
from Prussian artillery. A climb up the windmill
had shown everything quiet among our enemies
across Venningbund, whilst in Dybbol village they
seemed to have only some scattered outposts. No
sign of opening trenches, and, still more important,
no bombardment from oeir the water. This was
the very moment to visit batteries 1 and 2, which
are generally unapproachable by day owing to the
constant fire directed against them. So, quickly
descending the ricketty stairs of that some day to
be historical mill, my steps were turned towards
the rifled cannon on Broagerlaud. Great holes had
been torn through banks and walls, the fields were
deeply marked by falling shells, and many curious
sym p toms appeared of uneasiness among the pickets.
Soldiers lay close behind any scrap of shelter, ditches
were popular resting places, in fact a stranger sud-
denly put down near Battery 1, would have fancied
himself an intruder upon some game at hide and
seek—only that here all were hiding. One but
was decorated with a monster shell, which had not
exploded, and the men seemed very proud of their
trophy. But yet they looked anxious, until I
realized my position and stooped under cover of a
wall. Still no sound of firing. A civil artillery ser-
geant was explaining some changes in their works,
as we stood between the batteries, and I began to
think that perhaps a truce had been arranged,
when the sergeant caught my arm dragging me
with him to the ground. There came a scream-
ing whizzing noise, as of twenty demons
fighting in mid-air, and a shock that made
our teeth chatter. Then another more distant,
another close at hand, which happily did not burst,
two more flying far over head, one just in front
causing a shower of stones to fall around us, and
the first volley was expended. Guided by my ex-
perienced companion we rapidly quitted this
dangerous locality, leaving the poor fellows on
duty to crouch for shelter where best they might.
I only stopped for a moment to pick up one of the
pieces in memory of this narrow escape. The
sergeant having arrived safely at DybSal windmill
bowed and retraced his steps, whilst my old friends
of the regiment, encamped hard by, invited me
to lunch with them.

These rifled guns have done away with old-
fashioned mortars and spherical bombs ; which
last no longer soar through the sky, to drop at
length upon their foes. Now, the shells are conical,
and come straight at the mark.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

ADMIRALTY, MARCH 28. ATPOI
Chief Eagiasers— R. J. Hay, to the Bombay,
J. Coeds, to the Cumberland for the Bristol.

Bogioiers.—E. McMay, to the Bombay ; G. Lame,
to th. Majestic ; W. Rowley (a) to the Ciunberlaad, for
the Ate&

Assistant Englaesn—J. McGsrahan and C. Thompson,
to the Bombay ; R. Hetherington, H. Roberta, and C.
Wakeman, to the Bombay, as additional ; J. Daly, to the
.Dee.

-IRomormx.—To be Acting Chief Engineer—W. B.
Stephens, of the Dart, mail appointed to the Archer.

CHATHAM, MAEcs 28.

The largo iron caisson which has been manufactured
for the entrance to No. 2 dock, wite floated into ire plow at
spring tide thin morning. The opetstion of building the
iron frigate Bellerphon will be forthwith commenced.