The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1864.

THE WAR IN DENMARK.

(From the limes' Second Edition.)
ULKEBOL, April 9.
The siege of Dybbol has become a very earnest
game, and ought to be drawing to an end, whatever
the issue may be. The cannonade for nearly the
whole of yesterday and part of this morning can
only be described by one word—it was " terrific!,
The shots and shells thrown by the Prussians ave-
raged 10 in the minute, and of these no less than
1,500 were aimed at Bastion No. 4. Far their own

part the Danes were by no means idle, and towards

evening they had well nigh exhausted their stores of
ammunition. The Dybbol bastions are encompassed
all round by a fiery line of no less than 14 German
batteries, and all of these were plied yecterday with
untiring activity. The night passed off quietly
nevertheless; and this morning, efier 10 or 11, the
cannonade began to abate, a❑d we have now perfect
silence, a fact for vihicla the darkness of the day
may account; possibly, also, the lock of powder and
shell in the Prussian camp. It must never be for-
gotten that the Danish position is close and com-
pact ; fresh supplies are always at hand to replenish
the empty magazines, and the open communication
by sea secures both Alsen and Dybbol egainst any
want. It may be that even the railway from Ham-
burg to Flensburg, and the road from the latter
place to Nybol Broager cannot display the same
activity in behalf of the Germans. Pose,ibly, also,
the too frequent and rapid discharge of breach-
loading cannon has a tendency to render the

German artillerymen less chary of their ammuni-
tion ; so that if their fire is lively, it is at the

some time comparatively inefficient. This is
the case also with their infantry, who it is notorious
are not so particular in their aim as they would be
were they armed with less handy and convenient
weapons than their touch-and-go zundnadelyetvehr.
Experience would seem to establish that the sol-
dier is apt to be too lavish of a shot that casts him
too little trouble. The Tyrolese sharp-shooter, in
the late Italian wars, who had to toil for minutes

with mallet and ramrod to load his piece, was

aware that he had an enemy's life at the bottom of
his barrel, and never gave fire till he felt sure that
his game w►as as good as bagged.
Notwithstanding this kind of nervous and spas-
modic fidgettiness of the Prussian fire, it would be
idle to assert that all this vast amount of gunpowder

is burnt in vain, or that the mere noise has not
a stunning and bewildering effect. Artillery
officers who have been for the whole of one day and
night in the Danish trenches come back to us in the
morning black, as well as pale, in the faces, jaded,
done up. Their own strength, and that of their
men, is tasked to the utmost, and the Danish army
begins to suffer from over exhaustion nearly as much
as it did when it was deemed expedient to remove it
from the DAnnewerk. The weather, though milder,

is hardly more favourable to their health, and since
the bombardment of Sonderborg, the exposure of
some of their detachments to the inclemencies of
the weather at night is attended with no cheering
results, Fever has broken out with some virulence

in the Augustenburg hospitals, and men are often
sent there labouring under no other ailment than
excessive fatigue. On the other hand, the losses
of the Dines from the mere casualties of battle are
by no means considerable. The Prussian shell is
anything but murderous, and seems to spend its
fury against mere trenches and breastworks. No
less than four cannon were dismounted in on 3 of

hem yesterday, between sunrise and sunset, and

the whole battery, breastwork, traverse, blockhouse,
&e., presented a rather jammed and mashed appear-
ance. The mischief is no sooner done than it is
repaired truly, but the energies of the men laces.-
santly busy at that kind of Sisyplarean work must
be strained almost beyond endurance.
No man in the Danish camp can be induced to
despond for all that. The dismantling of a part
of a bastion does not, in their opinion, interfere
with the free working of the other part ; nor, were
even a whole fort to be altogether blotted out of
the row of 10, would the fire from the remaining
nine be insufficient for the defence of the whole
position ; nay, were even three or four, or all and
each of toe batteries to bo silent, the natural ad-
vantages of the line would still offer a very
strenuous resistance to the onset of the foe. Behind
the heavy batteries of the bastions the Danes have
numerous field-pieces, and, besides these they have
a goodly lot of those espingardes, which did such
excellent work both here and at Fredericia in 1849.

So long as the war resolves itself into a mere play
at cannon-balls, no doubt the Prussians have it all
their own way, because they have a more numerous
and more powerful artillery, and almost any
amount of men to handle it. But when the cannon
has done its utmost, when the signal is given for an
assault, the besiegers must come face to face with
their foe, and then it must indeed go hard with
the Danes if the smaller artillery of their second
line is not more than a match for mere masses of
unprotected infantry. There is an evil quarter of
an hour for storming columns in which hundreds of
cannons in their rear can afford no support--in
which the whole fire of the beeieged is to be en-
dured without the chance of returning a single
shot. Desperate resolution, great rapidity of
motion, and overwhelming numbers may overcome
this and other obstacles, when that meeting of
Danes with Prussians takes place which is to be the
real tug of war. In a close engagement with small
arms and the bayonet the Prussians have the benefit
of the bigger battalions ; but the Danish line is but
one mile and a quarter long. The Danes are on their
own ground, and they have bulk and weight, and the
instinct to mass together, on their side. What the
end of it all is to be, if war is suffered to proceed to
the lest extremities, time will show. The only thing
that is quite sure is that the storming of Dybbol
must needs cost a sea of blood, and that even the fall
of Dybbol would not decide the fate of Alsen or bring
about the close of the war. All th:s, however, sup-
poses on the
pert of the Danes a power of endur-
ance hardly to be expected of mere men. I mix
with thy, soldiers at every hour of the day and night,
and can bear witness to their firm and patient
'Jeering. I see no sign of discontent or disconeage-
ment. Out they march to outposts in the morning,
back they come to night quarters in the evening;
they toil in the trenches, hammer at their barracks,
shirk no duty, shrink from no danger. The mere
enarch through ruined Sonderborg, the crossing of
the bridges, the ascent to Dybbol-hill, the muster
at the barracks, all they have to do, must be done
under the shower of the enemy's shell. The cross
fire from the 14 batteries from Broagerland to Rage-
bol is so harassing, that staff officers and orderlies
alight from their horses and walk to avoid unneces-
sary exposure. Diogenes placed himself right before
the target at which a clumsy archer aimed his ar-
rows, that being the only spot where he ran no
chance of being hit. In the same manner the Danish
soldier is hardly anywhere so safe as within the very
forts at which the Prussians are so furiously blazing
away all day long ; not so much because the Prus-
sian practice is bad as because everything in the
fort is calculated to afford shelter to its defenders,
while outside there is the danger of a projectile
straying ever so little from its aim, or even of the
fragments of one bursting ever so near its aim, and
of the earth and stones and splinters flying about
in the air, whether the shot is a hit or a miss.
That the Danes have borne and will bear a great
deal those who have read my foregoing corres-
pondence will readily believe. Yet it is too often
a mere featherweight that breaks the camel's back,
and the courage that cannot be daunted may in the
long run be worn out. I see no symptoms of
drooping spirits among the men, as I said, but some
of the wisest as well as bravest officers look grave,
and evince some degree of uneasiness. As I know
them to be the very men who wilt do their duty to
the last, I have no hesitation in making myself the
interpreter of their apprehensions, because I believe
them to ba grounded oa a correct knowledge of the
situation. The position of Dybbol, they always
said, is strong, but by no means impregnable, and
a fortress the garrison of which has ceased to ven-
ture on a sortie can, indeed, ward off for a long
time, but hardly avert, its fate. I do not believe
that by a candid statement of the difficulties with
which the Danish army has to contend I make my-
self guilty of indiscretion, or compromise the safety
if my Danish friends. Were the worst to come to
the worst it will be well for the Danes that

no false expectations should have been raised in
Europe as to their absolute invincibility. Indeed,
it may be just as well if public opinion is prepared
for all contingencies. Whatever may happen the
Danes will be found to have done all that duty re-
quired of them. No stroke of adversity can deprive
them of the glory of a long and heroic defence,
Whatever may be the result of the unequal struggle,
the world will take the odds into account, and pay
them a tribute of admiration merely for engaging
in it; as it will always turn the very success of
their enemies to gall and wormwood by merely
throwing the teunt of "four to one" into their
teeth. U,-;on that understanding, that the Danes
are but men, and can only achieve what lies within
the limits of human power, let us wait and see
what a very fe.w weeks—perhaps only a few days
—may bring.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day.
MA.E.LBOROUGII •STREET.
ROBBERY AT A MUSIC PUBLISHER'S.—CharIes Clarke,
a porter in the employ of Messrs. Cocks, music publishers,
6, New Burlington-street, was charged with stealing 13
pieces of music, the property of his employers, and Wm.
Phillips, 11, Carnaby-street, was charged with receiving
the same with a guilty knowledge.
Mr. Stroud L. Cocks said from information he received
from one of their assistants he bad reason to suspect a boy
in their employ of hiding music for the purpose of carrying
it away. The boy on being taxed admitted that he had,
and had taken it to the prisoner Phillips on several occa•.
sions by direction of Clarke. Ho then called Clarke into
the counting-house, and told him that he suspected him of
taking music off the premises and disposing of it to some
person. Clarke at first denied it, but afterwards admitted
he had done so. He (Mr. Cocks) subsequently gave both
prisoners into custody.
Charles Conway, errand boy to Messrs. Cocks, said he
took a parcel containing pieces of music to Phillips's house
by direction of Clarke. Ho would have informed his em-
ployers, but thought it was all right.
Mr. Vassi, warehouseman to Messrs. Cocks, said that
seeing a parcel is a part of the establishment where it
should not have been, he opened it and found it to contain
some pieces of music. He left it in the same place, telling
some of his fellow-assistants to keep their eyes on it, but it
was subsequently taken away. He then informed Mr.
Cocks of what he had seen.
Thomas Weale, 204 0, proved taking Clarke into cus-
tody. He did not deny the charge, but said he was sorry.
Brinstead Webb, a detective of the C division, said that
en telling Phillips the charge, he at first denied receiving
any music, but afterwards said he had, and that he had
given it to the steward of a ship who had sailed the same
day.
Clarke made no defence, but Phillips said the music was
given to him by Clarke.
The prisoners were committed for trial, but bail was
offered to be taken for Phillips.
ROBBING AN EMPLOYER.—Robert Phillips, a young
man in the employ of Mr John Comley Tubbs, brush
manufacturer, of 14 and 92, Barwick-street, Soho, was
charged before Mr Knox with stealing some chamois
leathers, the property of Mr Tubbs.
Mr Tubbs deposed that, having missed a number of
chamois leathers, and suspecting the prisoner, he called him
to him yesterday evening, as if to send him out, and then
told him to take off his coat and waistcoat. The prisoner
did so, and two chamois leathers were found secreted upon
him.
In answer to Mr Knox,
The prosecutor said he had been missing property for
somo time, and suspected the prisoner, as he often got
drunk.
William Loosley, 46 C, said the prisoner admitted taking
the leathers.
Mr Knox said there was no doubt the prisoner stole the
leathers, anel he had no doubt he had been stealing things
for some time past.
Committed for three months with hard labour,
John Andrews Pellew, gentleman, of LlandilisVicarage,
Wales, was fined ss. fer being drunk and disorderly in the
Haymarket the previous night, the charge being proved by
Sergeant Brown, 5 C.

Meeting of Middlesex Magistrates,

THIS DAY.

A very full meeting of Middlesex magistrates
was held to-day at the sessions House, Clerkenwell-

green.

ADMISSION OF CATHOLIC MINISTERS TO PRISONS.
Mr. P. N. LAURIE moved .the following resolu-
tion :

" That it appearing from the returns presented by the
Visiting Justices of the three county prisons to the court,
on the 18th February, 1864, that, at the date of such re-
turns, the number of Roman Catholic prisoners in the House
of Correction was 391, in the Westminster Bridewell 223,
and in the House of Detention 35, making :in aggregate
number of 639, this court is of opinion th:t it is expedient
to provide for the regular ministration of a minister or
ministers of the Roman Catholic Church, or persuasion, for
the prisoners of thst Church, or persuasion, who shall receive
a reasonable sum as recompense for his, or their services,
under the provisions of the Prison Ministers' Act, 1863."'
fie thought it was the moral duty of the naJgis-
tra.tes to do that far the Catholics what the law
compelled them to do for the Protestants, and that
it was unjust to deprive a prisoner of that consola-
tion of which he stood so much in need. The
magistrates would do well to imitate the example
set mankind by the apostle Paul, and give to every
one that which is right and proper.
Viscount ENFIELD seconded the motion,
Mr. E. W. Cox moved, as an amendment, the
following :
" That the Visiting Justices of the Houses of Correction
at Coldbath-fields and Westminster be requested to carry
into effect so much of the 2d section of the 26 and 27 Vic,,
cap. 79, as relates to permitting a minister of the Church or
persuasion to which prisoners belong, to visit such prisoners
at proper and reasonable times, under such regulations as
they deem to bo necessary to the preservation of the discip-
line of the respective prisoners. That the salary of the
minister for Coldbath-fields Prison be £l5O per annum, and
the House of Correction £lOO per annum."
After some discussion,
Mr. Sergeant PAYNE moved a negative, both to
the motion and amendment, to the effect that, " To
allow Roman Catholic priests to attend at the
prisons on ail occasions, whether their ministrations
are required or not, would be unnecessary and im-

proper."

(We shall give the result of the discussion in our
late edition.) '

CRIMINAL C OUR T. —(This Day.)

OLD COURT.

Sarah Robinson, 24, was indicted with feloniously cut-
ting and wounding Mary Ann Hardcastle, with intent to
do her grievous bodily harm,
It appeared there was a feeling of jealousy between the
prosecutrix and prisoner, which led to a quarrel that
arose between them.

The prisoner, on being called on for her defence, said she
threw herself upon the mercy of the Court.

The jury acquitted the prisoner of the charge of felony,
but found her guilty of unlawfully wounding.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said there was
no doubt the prisoner had received great provocation, and
sentenced her to be imprisoned with hard labour for six
months.

THIRD COURT.
(Before the Common Sergeant.)
BURGLARY.

John Manghem and Alexander Smith were indicted for
a burglary in the dwelling-house of Joseph Wells, and
stealing therefrom a brace of pistols, a quantity of other
articles, with about £l9 in money,
The jury found both prisoners guilty.
The learned Judge sentenced each of them to four years'
penal servitude.

MARKETS—This Day.

NARK-LANE.

IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES.—Wheat, 40s Id ;
barley, 308 9d ; oats, 18s lld ; rye, 29s od ; beans, 32s 8d ;
and peas, 32s Bd.
THE SIX. WEEKS' AVERAGES. Wheat, 40s Od ;
barley, 31s 2d ; oats, 19s 4d ; rye, 29s 3d; beans, 32s 9d ;
peas, 32s 11d.. _

. ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 89,987;
barley, 35,746; oats, 8,765; rye, 97; beans, 4,189; peas,
684 quarters.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

Although only a limited supply of beasts was on offer in
our market to-day, all breeds moved off slowly at Monday's
currency. The best Scots sold at 4s 10d per Slb. "With
sheep we were but moderately supplied, yet the mutton
trade was heavy, at fully the late decline in the quotations.
The best Downs, in the wo3l, realised 6s; out of the wool,
4s 8d per 81b. Lambs—the show of which was by no
means extensive--were inactive, at from Gs to 7s per 81b.
A few very inferior Down lambs produced 7s 4d per 81b.
Calves were a dull inquiry at late rates—viz., from 4s 4d
to 5s 4d per 81b. Pigs and mulch cows were dull, but not
lower in price.