1807.] BRITISH DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATION. 51 18. A BRITISH CONJUNCT EXPEDITION SENT AGAINST COPENHAGEN. An expedition had been projected by the British Government to create a diversion in favour of Russia and Prussia, before the decisive victory of Friedland had put an end to the campaign; but, although the rapidity of Napoleon's successes was such that it even anticipated its setting sail, yet enough had transpired of the conferences at Tilsit to make it evident that, having now scattered to the winds all the enemies who threatened his power on the Continent, he was prepared to strain every nerve to make an impression upon Great Britain. An imaginary statement of the French Emperor's designs, at this period, describes his plan to have been, to embody the whole maritime forces of the Continent against the British navy. He counted on having 180 ships of war under his hand: French, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese, and Danish. Of this immense naval power, the last division, consisting of 15 sail of the line, reposed at this moment in the waters of Copenhagen. Under these circumstances, a daring and vigorous resolution was adopted by the British Government, similar, though on a grander scale, to what had often been practised in war; namely, to deprive the enemy of the prize he thought to be actually in his grasp, and to convert to their own defence some of the resources on which he relied for his attack. The project had been likened to Frederick the Great's sudden invasion of Saxony, in 1756; but the annals of the French Revolution offered many precedents more immediately in point. On the 19th of July, the determination was adopted by the British Cabinet to get possession, per fas aut nefas, of the Danish fleets, and it was thought possible, at first, that this might be obtained by a diplomatic negotiation. Mr. Jackson, who had for several years resided as British minister at Berlin, and was supposed to be well acquainted with the general politics of the North of Europe, was selected as ambassador, to repair to the Court of Denmark, to demand that the whole of its naval armament should be delivered over to Great Britain, as a secure deposit, upon the solemn stipulation that it should be restored at the conclusion of the war; and he was instructed to announce to the Prince-Regent of Denmark the unequivocal resolve of the British Government to enforce this requisition by the operation of the powerful armament now on its way to the Baltic. Mr. Jackson arrived at Kiel on the 6th of August, and immediately requested, through the minister, Count Bernstorff, an audience of the Prince, who received the overture with great vehemence of expression, inveighing bitterly against the arrogance of England in making such a demand. Mr. Jackson, nevertheless, saw the Prince, and was referred by H.R. H. to the Council at Copenhagen, whither Mr. Jackson repaired on the 12th, when he was informed by a brother of Count Bernstorff's, that the Prince had left the capital for Sleswic, but that the Ambassador was to make all bis overtures to him ad referendum. This 52 SEA DEFENCES OF COPENHAGEN. [A.D. The truly Chinese mode of negotiation lost all its effect with a powerful 66 On the 26th-27th of July, an expedition had set sail from Yarmouth roads, consisting of 17 ships of the line; namely, "Prince of Wales," 98, Captain Sir Home Popham, Captain of the Fleet, Pompée," 74, Captain Richard Dacres, "Centaur," 74, Captain Webley, "Ganges," 74, "Captain Halkett, "Spencer," 74, Captain Hon. Robert Stopford, " Vanguard," 74, Captain Fraser, " Maida," 74, Captain Lenzee, "Brunswick," 74, Captain Graves, "Resolution," 74, Captain Burlton, "Hercule," 74, Captain Hon. John Colville, "Orion," 74, Captain Sir Archibald Dickson," Alfred," 74, Captain Bligh," Goliath," 74, Captain Puget, "Captain," 74, Captain Wolley," Ruby," 64, Captain Draper, " Dictator," 64, Captain Donald Campbell, and "Nassau," 64, Captain Robert Campbell, bearing the flags of Admiral Gambier, Vice-Admiral Stanhope, and Commanders Sir Samuel Hood and Gordon Keats; accompanied by between 30 and 40 sails of frigates and other smaller ships of war, counting 90 pendants, together with 300 transports, having on board 20,000 troops, under the command of Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. , relieved ength and n -brigs took nell range. dings, but mmand of emy in that mann, and roduce the th the port and its garris litia were a W Fold, and Lo On the 1st of August the fleet divided, and 4 line-of-battle ships, 2 frigates, and 10 brigs, under Commander Keats, steered for the passage of the Great Belt, to cut off all communication between Zealand and Holstein; while the rest sailed forward, and on the 3rd, after interchanging salutes with the castle of Cronemberg, anchored in the road of Elsineur. Here the transports from the island of Rugen joined, bringing the troops from Stralsund under Lieut.General Lord Cathcart, who was to command the land forces in chief, which now consisted of 27,000 troops. The entire armament cast anchor in appalling strength, on the 17th, before the island of Zealand, which was surrounded and blockaded on every side. The sea defences of Copenhagen consisted at this time of a battery built upon piles at the entrance of the canal to the arsenal and harbour, mounting 68 guns, besides mortars; another pile battery in front of the citadel, mounting 86 guns and 9 mortars; and the citadel, which mounted 20 guns and 12 mortars. There were also blockships and floating batteries, and from 25 to 30 gunboats, all ready for action; and in the arsenal lay a fleet consisting of 16 sail of the line, and 21 frigates and sloops, and, besides three 74's on the stocks, one nearly complete for launching. echelon of b Tere briskly King Ch on the isle Tessels and Danish gu barque. Copenhag interchang Danish gu 1807.] COPENHAGEN BLOCKADED. 53 Early on the morning of the 15th, the British commanders were informed that all hope of a friendly accommodation had passed, and that they were at liberty to proceed in their operations according to the instructions with which they were provided for that contingency. On the morning of the 16th, therefore, the transports having weighed and worked into the Bay, the troops were landed, without resistance, at Wedbeck, about 12 miles from the capital, towards which they commenced their march on the following day, but were much incommoded by the fire of the Danish gun-boats. Some skirmishing also took place with the advance on shore, consisting of a battalion of the 23rd, under Major Pearson, in which 5 or 6 men lost their lives. On the 18th, the stores and artillery were disembarked, and all the necessary arrangements were made for a bombardment. The works were carried on with vigour by labouring parties of 600 men, relieved every four hours; and the batteries increased in strength and numbers round the devoted city, while the frigates and gun-brigs took their stations off the entrance of the harbour within shell range. No works existed on the shore to check these proceedings, but the Prince-Regent had an army in Holstein, to the command of which he forthwith repaired, although there was no enemy in that quarter, but he left the defence of the city to General Peymann, and directed General Carstenkiold to collect the militia and introduce them, if it should prove possible, into the town. On the 19th the port of Fredericksberg was surprised by Brigadier Dicken, and its garrison of 850 men made prisoners. Meanwhile, the Danish militia were advancing along the isle of Zealand, under Carstenkiold, and Lord Cathcart, deeming that this little army, which had already reached Rosekild, might impede his operations, directed Wellesley, with a division of 4000 or 5000 men, to march against it and disperse it. Upon his approach to Kioge, on the 25th, he found the Danish force on the north side of the town and rivulet, with 3 or 4 batteries in front, which opened upon the British advance. General Linsingen was ordered to cross at Little Salbye, and turn the enemy's left, while Wellesley headed the attack in front by an echelon of battalions, led by the 92nd, and covered by the rifle fire of the 95th and that of his artillery. The Danish militia were soon driven back in disorder, but 4 battalions of regulars, under MajorGeneral Ozhoken, attempted to stand in the village of Hersolge, who were briskly attacked and compelled to surrender, together with 10 guns. Sir Arthur then advanced into the interior of the island, for the purpose of overawing all further opposition from the irregular troops. King Christian VII., at Gluckstadt, and his General commanding on the isle of Zealand, had issued proclamations directing all English vessels and property to be sequestered; and, on the 17th, some Danish gun-boats had seized and set fire to an English timber-laden barque. The Admiral, therefore, as soon as he had anchored in Copenhagen road, ordered all Danish ships to be detained. Some interchange of hostilities had also ensued between the British and Danish gun-boats on the 18th and 21st, on which latter day, the cir 54 WELLINGTON'S CELEBRATED CHARGER. [A.D. cumvallation of the island having been rendered complete, the Admiral declared it in a state of blockade. The last division of troops, under Lord Roslyn, now also arrived and disembarked. To defend the left of the army from the Danish gun-boats, a battery of 13 guns had been commenced at a spot called Svane-Moke; but on the 22nd, 3 Danish praams and 3 gun-boats had so placed themselves as to interrupt its construction and that of others. To oppose these, a squadron of 7 British bombs and gun-boats now took up a station, under the command of Captain Puget, and were attacked on the 23rd by the Danes, assisted by the fire of the Trekonen and the floating batteries; and, though this fire was returned with spirit by the British, it was found so severe that the bombs and gun-boats arew off, with the loss of a lieutenant and 3 seamen killed, and an officer and about 12 men wounded. On the 25th, a division of Danish gun-boats cannonaded the right of the British line where the Guards were stationed, and much annoyed them; but, on the following day, the small battery caused one of them, called the "Stube-Kiebing," to blow up, and damaged others so badly, that, on the 27th, the besiegers were enabled to open a new battery of four 24-pounders, which made these gun-boats keep their distance. Nevertheless, on the 31st, they again made an attack upon the British shore batteries, but with little success. On the 1st of September, there being already mounted in battery 48 mortars and howitzers, and 20 24-pounders ready to open upon the city, Major-General Peymann was summoned, but returned a direct negative. There was now no further alternative, and, in consequence, the British batteries opened on the 2nd, and the town was set on fire by the first flight of Congreve rockets, which were here employed for the first time. The inhabitants sustained with heroic resolution the fiery tempest, and all classes were indefatigable in their endeavours to carry water to the quarters where the city was in flames. The fire was returned upon the British batteries from the Danish gun-boats and from the works and outposts with cannon and musketry, and some men of MajorGeneral Grosvenor's* brigade were struck down. On the night of the 3rd the fire slackened a little, to allow General Peymann an opportunity to capitulate, but the Danish Governor remaining obsti *Among the chargers brought over by General Grosvenor was a mare, which proved to be in foal, and, after her safe return to England, produced a colt, which was named "Copenhagen." This horse being afterwards sold to Major-General Sir Charles Stewart was taken by him to the Peninsula, and when that officer quitted the army in 1813, on the death of his first wife, it was sold and became the property of the Duke. At Vittoria and other battles his Grace used no other charger, and it became a great favourite with him. That horse also carried the Duke of Wellington throughout the glorious day of Waterloo, when it is said he bore him for eighteen hours on his back, and when at length released at its close, gave no sign of fatigue. He was of a full rich chestnut colour, with a strong dash of the Arab in his appearance, and showed at all times an endurance of work that was very remarkable. He died in 1835 at the age of twenty-seven, and was buried at Strathfieldsaye with military honours. His mane and tail furnished a great many rings, brooches, and bracelets, which were presented by the great commander to enthusiastic ladies; so that this celebrated charger obtained a renown which will probably long continue, for these memorials will not cease to be regarded as the heir-looms of many a noble family. "Copenhagen" was modelled for the horse of the Wellington statue upon the arch in London. 1807.] OBJECT OF THE EXPEDITION REALISED. 55 nate, the bombardment recommenced in all its fury. In a short time, the wood in the great-timber yard was set on fire by red-hot shot, and the steeple of the Fruekirche caught the flames and fell on the 4th. The fiery elements now spread in every direction, and the engines, which, at first, had rendered some good service, were now all destroyed, and the firemen killed or wounded. Before the third night 1800 houses were consumed, and 1500 of the inhabitants had lost their lives, when the conflagration threatened to extend itself over the entire city. At length on the forenoon of the 5th a flag of truce appeared at the outposts of the British army, to ask an armistice of 24 hours to treat for a capitulation. Lord Cathcart replied that none could be granted, unless accompanied by the surrender of the whole Danish fleet. Major-General Peymann having consented to the unconditional surrender of ships, guns, and naval stores, Sir Arthur Wellesley, Sir Home Popham, and Lieut.-Colonel George Murray, were sent in to settle the terms of capitulation, which were drawn up on the night of the 6th-7th, and the citadel was given up on the 8th to the British troops. The loss of the British was--56 killed, and about 200 wounded; that of the Danes about 255 rank and file killed and wounded, besides prisoners. It has been stated by the Danes that the Crown-Prince sent Lieutenant Von Sleffen to General Peymann, from Kiel, with orders to burn the fleet in case of his being compelled to a surrender, and that the Lieutenant destroyed his despatches on being taken prisoner by some of the patroles of the British army. The object of the expedition having been attained, everything of a tendency to wound the feelings of the Danes, as a nation, was avoided. The havoc that had been made by the bombardment was the consequence of what they thought due to their honour; but not a shot was fired, or a hostile act perpetrated, after the flag of truce had been displayed. The alacrity of the British seamen was such, that in nine days' time 14 sail of the Danish men-of-war were safely towed out of the harbour into the roads; and, in the space of six weeks, the three remaining ships, with the entire contents of the arsenal and its storehouses, masts, spars, timber, and other naval materials, were removed, ready for transportation to England; so that on the 26th of October three 80-gun ships, fourteen 74, one 64, two 40, six 46, and two 32-gun frigates, two 20-gun ships, eighteen of 16-guns, and three gun-brigs, with 25 gun-boats, sailed from Copenhagen roads in three divisions; the last division of the British army re-embarked without a casualty on the 20th, and returned to England. The most valuable part of the seizure was the naval stores, which were shipped on board 92 transports, measuring 20,000 tons. The benefit to England was not, however, so much what she acquired, as what the enemy lost. There were only 4 of the line-of-battle ships captured that were found worth the cost of repair; but the artillery taken away amounted to 3500 pieces. No great loss, perhaps, to Napoleon; but the destruction of his fleet and arsenal broke the heart of the Danish King, who expired shortly afterwards at his castle of Rendsburg. |