The Strength of the Armies in Schleswig

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Author(s) Friedrich Engels
Written February 1864


Written after February 7, 1864
First published in the Manchester Guardian. February 16, 1864
Signed: F. E
Reproduced from the newspaper
Source : Marx-Engels Collected Works, Volume 19
Collection(s): Manchester Guardian
Keywords : Army, Denmark, Germany, War

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN

Sir,

There are most absurd reports afloat as to the relative strength of the contending armies in the Danish war.[1] It is generally supposed that the Danes are outnumbered in the proportion of one Dane to at least three Germans. To show how little this is in accordance with facts, I propose to give a detailed statement of the strength of each army, as far at least as its infantry is concerned; for as to cavalry and artillery it would at present be very difficult to get precise information.

Before the outbreak of hostilities, the Danes had the following troops in Schleswig, viz.:

Battalions
First Division; Commander, Lieutenant-General Gerlach:
1st Brigade, 2nd and 22nd Infantry Regiments 4
2nd Brigade, 3rd and 18th Infantry Regiments 4
3rd Brigade, 17th and 19th Infantry Regiments 4
Second Division; Major General Du Plat:
4th Brigade, 4th and 6th Infantry Regiments 4
5th Brigade, 7th and 12th Infantry Regiments 4
6th Brigade, 5th and 10th Infantry Regiments 4
Third Division; Major General Steinmann:
7th Brigade, 1st and 11th Infantry Regiments 4
8th Brigade, 9th and 20th Infantry Regiments 4
9th Brigade, 16th and 21st Infantry Regiments 4
Total Battalions 36

Or, at 800 men for a battalion (the full complement is

870 men and officers), say.......................................................................................................................... 28,800 men

Cavalry, 4 1/2 regiments, at 560 men............................................................................................................ 2,500 “

Artillery, about................................................................................................................................................ 3,000 “

Total Danish forces...................................................................................................................................... 34,300 men

Exclusive of several battalions, both of line and reserve, which were sent to Schleswig in the first days of February, but as to which it has been impossible to ascertain any particulars. The Austrians have sent to the seat of war the sixth army corps, consisting of the following troops:

Battalions
General Gondrecourt's Brigade:
Infantry Régiment, King of Prussia 3
Ditto Baron Martini 3
Chasseur Battalion, No. 18 1
General Nostitz's Brigade:
Infantry Regiment, King of the Belgians 3
Ditto Grand Duke of Hesse 3
Chasseur Battalion, No. 9 1
General Thomas's Brigade:
Infantry Regiment, Count Coronini 3
Ditto Prince Holstein 3
A Chasseur Battalion, number not stated 1
General Dormus's Brigade:
Two Infantry Regiments and one battalion of Chasseurs,

numbers and names not stated

7
Total battalions 28

Or at 800 men per battalion (which is a high estimate

for the present organisation of the Austrian army).........................................................................................22,400 men

Cavalry, about.......................................................................................................................................................2,000 "

Artillery, about.......................................................................................................................................................2,600 "

Total, about.........................................................................................................................................................27,000 men

The Prussians have sent the following contingent:

Battalions
I.-Combined army corps of Prince Frederick Charles
Sixth Division:
11th Brigade, 20th and 60th Regiments 6
12th Brigade, 24th and 64th Regiments 6
Besides the 35th Light Infantry Regiment 3
Thirteenth Division:
25th Brigade, 13th and 53rd Regiments 6
26th Brigade, 15th and 55th Regiments 6
7th Chasseur Battalion 1
II.—Division of Guards; General Mulbe:
1st Brigade, 3rd and 4th Foot Guards 6
2nd Brigade, 3rd and 4th Grenadier Guards 6
Chasseurs of the Guard 1
Total 41

I.—Combined army corps of Prince Frederick Char

Or at 800 men per battalion......................................................................................................................... 32,800 men

Cavalry.............................................................................................................................................................. 3,000 “

Artillery............................................................................................................................................................. 3,000 “

.........................................................................................................................................................................38,800 “

With Austrians............................................................................................................................................... 27,000 “

Total allied army............................................................................................................................................ 65,800 men

Or less than two allied soldiers to one Dane. If the strength of the Danish defences at the Dannevirke, at Düppel, and at Fridericia is taken into account, such a numerical superiority is not more than required to ensure success. It is almost precisely the same proportion of superiority which Wellington and Blücher, in 1815, had over Napoleon.[2]

  1. ↑ See Note 299. p. 317
  2. ↑ Engels means the battle of Waterloo (see Note 82). p. 319
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