The capture of Duppel.
[From the London Times, April 9th.]
After a gallant defence of two months, Duppel was taken yesterday morning by assault, and the
Danish army has lost its last hold on the mainland of Schleswig.
For some days the event has been expected.
Towards the close of last month it became evident that the Prussians had thrown off the Lugar which marked the entry conduct of the siege, and were resolved to press it with vigor, and to force, if possible, a surrender.
It need hardly be said that the prospect of the coming conference had much to do with this sudden display of energy.
Day by day they brought their the bearer the
Danish batteries.
At the beginning of last week it became evident that the Dance, unless largely reinforced, could not long hold the place.
Unless such an army could have been placed in Schleswig as would have compelled the enemy to raise the siege, the fate of Duppel was scaled.
At last the assault was made yesterday morning.
We do not yet know the details, but we trust that the conflict was less bloody than others which our time has witnessed.
It seems certain that the Dance themselves expected the result, for they are described as dismantling the forts of most of their guns over to Alsen.
However that may be, we must presume that they defended the place with sufficient obstinacy.
But the Prussians were successful.
Redoubts, one to seven, are on the left and centre of the
Danish fine, and extend from the shores of Winning bay to a point on the straight line which joins Schoenburg and the village of
Duppel.
These appear to have been first mastered by the Prussians, who then passed to the
Danish rear and took possession of their communications.
Then redoubts eight, nine and ten, on the
Danish right, were taken, together with the
tele de pont.
The bridge was destroyed, and two thousand men, with fifty one officers, are spoken of as having fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Thus ends the siege of Duppel.
Like the Russians on the morrow of the great assault of the Malakoff, the Danes have abandoned their positions and retreated across a narrow piece of Water, with the intention, no doubt, to dispute the further progress of the enemy.
They probably do not consider themselves as wholly beaten, or their cause as lost.
On the other hand, the Prussians have won a decisive victory.
It may not be a great one, it may furnish no fitting subject for boasting, nor of complacent remembrance hereafter: but still it is a victory, and
Prussia may congratulate herself and her German friends that the
Danish force is now entirely driven from continental Schleswig.
Two allied powers have accomplished that for which they profess to have taken up arms.
They have their "material guarantee." They have entered Schleswig; they have defeated the
King's army, driven it from two fortified positions, killed, wounded, or captured several thousands of Danes, superceded the royal authority, displaced the
King's coinage, ejected his officials; forbidden the use of his name even in the prayers of the church; and thus, they may hope, satisfied the most patriotic aspirations of the German nation.
At present the Danes are concentrated in Alsen, where they will endeavor to make a stand at the works which they are said to have been long preparing.
Should the war continue, there can certainly be no doubt as to the fate of their army.--the allied forces will be sooner or later able to cross the sound, and compel a retreat to the
Danish ships or a capitulation.
