The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-08-28
DENMARK AND THE DuCHIEs.

DENMARK AND THE DUCHIES.
The war has now commenced in earnest. On the
25th the two armies met, and after skirmishinp
a regular engagement ensued, in which the Danes
were victorious. The battle began at dawn of day
and lasted eleven hours. The Danes attacked with
about IS 900 men, and the insurrectionary army
about 20 900 strong.
The Hamburg Boersenhalle, of the 26tt, gives the
following account Of the battle:
''ScHLrsw1e, July 25.
IS The anticipated battle commenced this morning
at three o'clock, with an attack by the Danes on
both wings of the Schleswig- Holstein army. The
Danes did not at first succeed in obtaining the ad-
vantage, but in short time they began to gain
ground the left wing, where they attempted to
tablished themselves, but driven back far by
gallant charge OF the rifles and infantry that fur
ther attack was made from this quarter. On the right
wing they were so warmly received by the Sckles-
wig Hosteiners that they could not succeed in gain
ing single inch of ground. After this attack on
both wings had continued for two three hours, the
Danes made an onslaught the centre, along the
Chaussee, in the direction of Flensburg, with infan-
try, cavalry, and artillery at the same time. The
main position Idsted where the advancing Danes
received with shower of balls from the forti-
fcations thrown up there, which compelled them to
retire little.
''The Holsteiners again rushed to the centre, and
with such vivacty that the Danes were soon obliged
to retreat en- nasse into poplar wood. This nance
vre was twice repeated, and twice was main po-
stion on the right wing and centre attacked by the
Danes. On the left wing mere diminishing fire
only carried on. The battle had by this time
IL O'Clock it seemed certain that the result would not
be otherwise than favorable to But just then it
became apparent that the Danes had concentrated
their whole force for main attack our centre and
right wing. From the eminence where l stood
could distinctly see the whole Danish Infantry de-
houch frOr the and limo <1u
opposite the SchleswigH force, bringing up
the time several batteries of field artillery.
could also distinctly the fatigued and out
troops relieved by fresh battalions. Gen. Willisen
also caused his reserve batteries to be brought for.
ward as well the cavalry, which had as yet been
but partially engaged; and about IL O'Clock most
fearful cannonade commenced on both sides, which
was kept up the part of the Schleswg- Holstein-
ers with great obstinacy for two hours and half, al
though the enemy's guns were larger and more nu-
merous Individual instances of courage were shown
that would appear almost incredible.
"a small battery of l2-pounders charged right in
to the thickest of the enemys fire. posted itself at
half distance and greeted the Danes with repeated
discharges. 1t was, however, obliged to retire,
in order to avoid charge of cavalry The most de-
termined courage of the whole army was, however,
of no avail against the superior force the Danes at
this time brought into action. We were also def
cient in ammunition. About two o'clock the Danes
made another attack. but being myself at this time
obliged to withdraw, I no longer an eyewitness
Of what occurred. Soon after, however, scattered
soldiers were running along the Chausee in the
direction of Scheswig ig, followed after by larger
masses, spreading the mournful news that the Danes
had broken through our centre. Under such crcum-
stances there was other alternative than retreat.
"The retreat was made without confusion, and in
good order, covered by several battaions under the
command of Col. Won der Tam. The Danes appear
to have been either too atgued or too indoent TO fol-
low up their advantage, as they made no pursuit.
The battle of Idstedt will take its place in histo-
ry of the most sanguinary battles on record.
On both sides the loss has been immense; but the
Danes must have suffered most, otherwise, with their
great numerical superiority, they would not have re-
mained upon the field of battle. They cannot have
numbered less than from $4,000 to $4,000 men, ac-
cording to the statement of the prisoners who, 400 in
number, were removed, first to Scheswg g, then to
Rendsburg. Swedes and Norwegians are said to be
among the number, in Danish uniforms. Twenty
officers among the prisoners. Report says that
not single staff-oficer of the Schleswig Holstein
army has been wounded"
The accounts in the German papers, dated at diff
fren periods of the day of battle, prove that the for
tune of the day for time doubtful. Some of the
earlier accounts report the Danes as beaten back on
all sdes but the hopes thus created were doomed to
be of short duration. letter dated South Schles-
wig, 25t, July, evening, says:
The battle that has been fought to-day has been
even more sangunary than that fought under the
walls of Frederica the 9th of July last year. We
have lost many officers, and many medical men have
fallen The loss of the day is be attributed to the
superior numbers of the enemy. Our troops fought
bravely, and so did the Danes. When both parties
are brave, and ably commanded, numbers must de-
eide the day. The Danes were about $4,000, our
army not more than $500 strong. l am told that
there Swedes and Russians in the Danish ranks,
hut cannot answer for this being correct.
LIFE AT TWENTY. Dow, Jr.. describes life a,
twenty, in the following unique manner:
Friends: at twenty, we are wild as patrdges
There's no such thing tanning US; we ride that
fierce, fiery and head strong animal, Passion, over
fences, ditches to the devil, leap the five barred
gate Of reason without touching the curb Of dscre.
ton, or pulling harder than ;it-mouse upon the
strong rein Of Judgment And a: twenty you are a
perfect locomotive, going at the rate Of sixty miles
sometimes blow off in sighs-and hope, fear, ankle
ty and jealousy, the train that you drag At this
season of life you are filled with exhilaratng gas
romance, everything looks romantic by spelis-ever
jackass philosophising over barrel of vinegar
You [both girls and boys) now read novels till you
tied into the pit of your stomach! Oh know how
you feel you feel as though you would like to soa
from star to star kick little planets aside, take
comets by their blazing hair. and pull them into thei
right courses sit upon the highest peak of thunde
cloud, and dangle the red lightning between you
thumb and finger as a watch chain, and then div
down into the golden sunset sea, and sport with th
celestial syrens, speed on, pull the nose of the mar
in the moon, ransack creation, knock few panes on
of the window of heaven, and then utter down gent
ly as a breeze, and find the darling object of you
| love, mendng stockings! That's how you feel.
The OLDEST REPUBLIC ON EARTH. The America
! Quarterly Review contains letter from G.. w. lrv
ing, giving sketch of his visit to San Marina,
small Republic IN Italy, between the Apprentices, tn