The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-08-23
WHOLE NO. 1900
DENMARK. AND TifE DUCIIIEs
"a EerribIe HnffIe. D..

Ihe Hamoutg borseAatIePf July 20,
giveslhe following account Of the baltle
between the Danes and the Schleswig-
Holsteiners. We have not yet seen the
Danish report:
The anticipated contest commenced
this morning al 3oclock, with an attack
by the Danes on both wings Of the ScbIes,
wig Holstein army. The Danes did NOT
at FIRST succeed in obtaining any adyan-
Isge, but in short time they began 70
gain ground on the left wing. where they
attempted to establish themselves, but
was so far driven back by gallant charge
'ftbe rifles and the infantry. that no fur:
ILer attack was made from this quarter.
On the right wing they we're so warmlyre,
ceiyed by the Schleswig. HolsteinerS that
they could not succeed in gaining single
inch of ground.
Afer ibis attack on both wings had
continued two or three hours, the Danes
made an onslaught on the centre along
tho Chaussee, 10 the direction Of Flens7
burg. with infantry. cavalry and artillery
at the same time. The Schleswig- -Hol,
stein light infantry retired behind the
main position near lstedt, where the ad1
vancing Danes we're received with a
shower Of balls from the Notifications
thrown up there. compelling them to rer
tire little. The HolsteinsrS again rushed
To the centre, aud with such vivscity
that the Danes were soon obliged to re-
treat en- nadsse into the poplar wood. This
maneuvre was twice repeated, and twice
was our main position on the right wing
aud centre attacked by the Danes.-On
The right wing mere skirmishing FIRE
was only carried on. The battle had. by
l;his time. continued for nearly eight
hours, and between ten and eleven O.
clock it seemed certain that the result
could not be otherwise than favorable 10
US. But just at this time it became ap-
patent that the Danes had concentrated
:her whole force for main attack on our
L centre and right wing.
From the eminence where | stood, I
could distinctly see the whole Danish in-
fanuy debouch from the poplar wood and
; form line directly opposite the Schleswig
. Holstein force, bringing up at the sarl6
time several new batteries of field artil-
lery. could also distinctly see the fa-
dgued and worn-out troops relieved by
fresh batalliOns Gen, Wilson also
caused his reserve batteries to be brought
forward, es well as tho cavalry, which
had as yet been but partially engaged;
and about IL o'clock fearful cannonade
commenced on both sides, which Yas kept
up on the part Of lhe. Schleswig. Holstein-
ers with great obstinacy for two hours
and half, although the enemy's guns
, were larger and more numerous. lndi-
vIdual instances Of courage were shown
that would appear almost incredible.-A
small battery OF 12-pounders charged
right into the thickest Of the enemy's FIRE.
. posted itself at half distance. and greeted
5 the Danes with rpeated discharges from
# the battery. -..
y II was. however. SOON obliged to re-.
: tire, in order to avoid charge Of cavalry.
! The most determined courage Of the
:. whole army was. however. of no avail a.
3 gainst the superior force Of the Danes at
= this time brought into action. They
n were also deficient in ammunition. About
. two O'Clock the. Danes made another at
J. tack. bat. being myself at lhisti obliged.
/ to withdraw, | was no longer an eyewit-.
a ness Of what occurred Soon after, how
5. ever. individual soldiers were seen runr
D. ming along the Chausee, in the direction
"a of Schleswig, fnllowed soon after by larg-
* er masses, spreading the tnournful news
that the Danes had broken through our
'e centre. Under such circumstances there
ID was no other alternative than a retreat,
k, which Immediately ensued. Gen. Will
in lison gave the necessary orders. and the
I'd brave little army saw itself compelled to
le retire from the field of battle. the general
is himself being the last 10 leave. J..
3. The retreat was made without cohfI-
C. sion. and in good order, covered by sew.
m eral bailaliOns under the command of Col.
at Won dor Tam. The Danes appear to
10 have been either too fatigued or 100 irdo,
lent to follow up their advantage, as they
g. made no pursuit.
i Gen. Wilson Jeff the castle of Gottorp
.e on horseback. about o'clock, but Lam
a. unable TO inform you. where the head
B. quarters were established. Several bat
Q, lalions received orders to bivouac in the
L. fields on the sides Of Chaussee, near Fab
as dorf, in the direction Of Ecksrpforde, and
10 others were ordered Oh to Rendsburg. :
lg The battle Of 1stedt will certainly
er maistain its place among the most san
u. culinary contests on nrecord. The loss OF
lg hbQth sides has been immense; but The
IL Danes have suffered more than the Sehles
h. wig Holsteiners, otherwise. with such {
at preponderaiing force, they would no
to have contented themselves with Tepain
o. ing ON the field of battle, instead Of fol-
,al lowing uptheir success by avigorouspur'
. suit. According to the reports of the
10. tprisoners, about four hundred in number
10. the Danish force engaged cannot have
liz been less thar from as. 900 to so, 900 men
rae 1t does not appear that single officer ol
on the Schleswig. Holstein staff has been
-. wounded. Gen. Baudisson has rather q
J.. severe wound in the right shoulder, and q
50 large proportion of other officers are said
n, to have fallen One battalion has only
or officers alive. and not more than 400 men
a. and the other .5attalions have also suffered
an severely. OF the artillery only one CUR