The Express.
London, England, 1850-07-23 00:00:00

DENMARK •AND THE DUCHIES.

SCHLBSWIG, JULY 18.
The decisive struggle between the inhabitants of
Schleswig-Holatrin and the Dante is rapidly ap-
proaching; the armies of bath are separated but by a
very short distance. Indeed the advarced pos's have
already met, and a few shots were exchanged this
morning at a small village called Mecham without
any damage being done to either party. The Danish
army is under the command of General von Krogh ;
that of the Duchies, as is well known, is commanded
by General Willisen, whose head quarters are at pre-
' sent here. Neither party waited fur the expiration of
the eleven days, within which the Prussian troops
were to r ffect their withdrawal from Schleswig.
General Willisen advanced into Schleswig on the
14th, or the day before, and his example was fol-
lowed by the Danish General on the 16th, when
he caused his troops to enter the Duchy of Schleswig
at several points. Two columns advanced from
Sonderberg on that morning to Rinkenis and Gears,
two villages on the road to Flensburg. The Danish
army stationed in Jutland marched simultaneously
into Schleswig, and seven battalions from the Wand
of Alma were disembarked at Apenrade ; two batta-
lions were immediately ordered southward to Flens-
burg. Oa the 17th (yesterday morning) the Danish
troops entered Flensburg, and immediately proceedei
to occupy the eurronndir.g villages. A smaller body
of Danes have entrenched themselves at Holnis, a
small promontory which approaches very closely to
the opposite cocst of Sundewit, from whence they
came. Patrols from this body have been seen beyond
Glikkaberg. Several hundred Danish soldiers and
sailors were landed yesterday on the island of Fain-
eant, which lies at the south eastern extremity of Hol-
stein ; on approaching the island the Danish vessels
were fired at by the Schleswig Holstein batteries at
Ileiligenbafen,a small port on the continent of Holstein.
On the western coast of Schleswig too a landing
has been effected by the Darien at Hoyer, of which
they took possession. Two comptrollers of customs
and revenue, Messrs. Krogh and Jansen, were seized,
and sent on board the Danish ships. From the above,
it will be seen that the Danish infantry has marched
to the southward in three separate directions, but
keeping close to the eastern cult. The Danis*.
cavalry to also progressing towards Flensburg in a
south-easterly direction; their line of march is more
in the centre of Schleswig.
The Schleswig-Holstein army, or I should say the
greater portion of it, is in position to the northward
of this. Five thousand men still remain here, but im-
mediately it is known that the Danish army has been
concentrated, they will doubtlessly join the more ad-
vanced body of the army. Every man of this little
army is strengthened by the moral courage which the
justice of his cause ihreils. They have but one idea,
—the protect on of their rights from Danish aggres-
sion ; they are in a high state of discipline,
arc commanded by brave and intelligent officers, to
whom they are deservedly attaches, and will no
doubt give a gaod account of themselves in the com-
ing fight. It is expected that the armies will meet
each other on the battle-field within a very few
hours.

The scene of action will most probably be within
ten miles of thi., and in the immediate vicinity of the
mail road from Schleswig to Flensburg. The Danish
army in the field will amount probably to 33,000
men. General Willisen will be able to oppose to
them—an army smaller in number perhaps, but =fi-
nitely their superior in unanimity and courage; and
moreover, cfficered by abler men.
Major Von der Tarn, who in 1818 performed w

heordsof feat■ of bravery, cambine I with great
military skill and discretion, though at the head of
the most irregular body of free corps that ever ex-
isted, has been appuinted a lientenant•colonel in the
army of the Duchies, and is chief of the staff.
Toe Russian fleet is hovering about the coast be-
tween Flensburg and Kiel. In the former port one
of the steamers has run aground, and it is said there
is not much hope of getticg her off again. A divi-
sion of the Russian fleet, with several Danish
steamers, stiil lies off Kiel. The latter took posses-
sion, on the 15tb, of severe. cease!' belonging to the
Duchy of Holstein, regardless of the article in the
trtaty of 2ad inst, which requires that all Danish
intervention in Holstein must be preceded by an inti-
matim to the Germanic Confederation.

A Danish herald, who arrived at Kid on the 17tb,
to propose an armistice to the lieutenancy, was ar-
rested by that bady, and sent to the commander-in-
chief, who stated to the heral,l that the question of an
armistice could not be etrertatned oolong at a Panish
soldier remained in the duchy. He was then requested
to depart.

General Willisen's first report on the army has ap-
peared. It runs as follows :
Is appointing me to the supreme command of the army,
the government was actuated by the wish to facilitate an
amicable arrangement with Denmark by freeing itself from
exterior connexions, and thus simplifying its position. This
peaceful intention led to a multiplication of leaves of absence,
which might have attained the maximum number had not
danger of a sudden surprise forbidden their further increase.
Immediately an assurance against such danger was obtained,
these permissions were extended so as to release 500 men
from each battalion. Of course we were not unaware of the
danger incurred by such a course of proceeding; we never-
theleu persevered in the same, to prove how sincere were
the negotiations of pesos which the duchies were then con-
ducting. On the other hand, we carried the organisation
of the army to the highest possible pitch, so as in • short
time to have the armed force of the land in the shortest
time ready for battle. Unhappily these latter precautions
have been instilled, for the permission of leave having
been increased on the faith of the vague assurances
of Denmark, the treaty of peace with Prussia was sud-
denly concluded and our lend menaced with immediate
aggression. Eight dave only remained to place the army
on the war footing, and only because the minutest details
of preparation had been attended to, was tt is feat possible.
Supported by the active and cheerful co-operation of the
entire country this has been accomplished, so that when on
the 12th, the report c tree that the Prussian forces would be
completely withdrawn from B:hleawig, by the 17th our
army was ready to take possession of the posts evacuated.
The army concentrated itself on the 13th and 14th, in
fore* at Iteedsburg, and • brigade at Kiel. It appeared
necessary at first to garrison Eekernforde, long dismantled
and forsaken. The park of artillery necessary for that pur-
pose was sent from ltendsburg early on the morning of the
13th, and the advanced guard of the Kiel brigade moved
upon Oetthorf. A calm rendered it impossible for the Danish
vessels, had they been disposed for warfare, to enter the
haven and render the fortifics'ion of the dismantled batteries
impossible, and under these propitious circumstances the
works were completely drenuthened in 24 hours. Them
preparations have assured the safety of the Option. By the
14th the &deemed guard had been pushed on half way to
Schleswig, Eckenforde fortified and a bridge thrown
over Missunde. On the 14th, at six o'clock in
the morning, Eckinforde was evacuated by the
Prussians. On the 16th, the army continued its movement
on Schleswig, and strong divisions reached Itistet and ktis-
sonde. I shall not tail to report my further operations to
the Statthalterschaft. I cannot sufficiently praise the spirit
by which the army is idepirtd. Every one is ready to devote
Ms life to the country ; the army is rtroug, well organised,
and full of confidence. _ _ _

VON WILLISIN, CO
Head-quartars, HUI, July 14, 14iO.

Three documents have also been published to-day on
the Schleswig-llolstein question. In one the late
administrators of Schleswig surrender their authority
to the newly appointed governor, Wheal ; in.another
the King nominates 'rillisch to the supreme civil
authority ; and iu the third the latter announces his
entrance to office. According to the treaty the late
administrative power, although it may lay down its
authority, his no right to transfer it to others.