The Danish corps before Stralsund

1809

by Geert van Uythoven

The Danish corps under Major-General Ewald, participating in the attack on Stralsund held by Major Ferdinand von Schill, was a sovereign corps, and not an integral part of the French-Allied army. However, the Danes had Allied with France after the British attack on Copenhagen on 1807.

On 22 April 1809, Danish Major-General Johann von Ewald was ordered to Schleswig, to defend the duchies here against any possible British attack. This attack did not materialise, instead report came in that Von Schill’s corps had taken Dömitz (15 May), and that he was raiding in the directions of Lauenburg, Ratzeburg, and Lübeck. Von Ewald was send forward with all troops at hand, to cover the Holstein border. Arriving in Ahrensburg on 23 May, the following night he received orders from his king to support the Allied troops, if necessary even marching into the Lauenburg area if this would be necessary to cover Holstein, and to attack Von Schill if he would encounter him.

On the 24th, Von Ewald met Lt-Gen Gratien who had arrived in Bergedorf. As a result of this meeting, on the 25th Gratien advanced to Mölln while the Danes marched on Ratzeburg. In the meantime, Von Schill had retreated to Stralsund, and in Ratzeburg Von Ewald received a written request from Gratien to advance as far as Rehna the next day, and to co-operate in united operations against Von Schilll.

Von Ewald had no orders to march to Mecklenburg, so if he would chosen to take a safe decision he would have refused. However, as time lacked to await new orders from his King, and convinced that it was the most advantageous for his king and country, as well as for the honour of the Danish army, he agreed to co-operate. In addition, Von Ewald feared that Napoleon would accuse Denmark for not coming to the aid of his Ally, if Gratien would be defeated by Von Schills numerically superior troops (especially in cavalry).

On the 26th, Von Ewald arrived in Rehna, and the next day he united in Wismar with Gratien, having with him a corps of 2,557 men and ten field guns, consisting of the following units:

- Infantry Regiment ‘Oldenburg’ (2 battalions)*

- Infantry Regiment ‘Holstein’ (1 battalion)*

- ‘Holstein’ Sharpshooters (2 companies)

- Hussars (2 squadrons)

- ‘Holstein’ Cavalry (detachment)

- ‘Riding’ artillery (‘Fahrende Artillerie’, detachment with two 3-pdr cannon)

- Foot artillery (8 guns)

* Both infantry regiments had a jäger company, often operating away from the battalions.

United, both generals forced their way to Stralsund, and during the storming of the city on 31 May, Von Ewald entered the city through the Knieper Gate, leading the Danish 2nd Battalion ‘Oldenburg’. Danish losses were two officers and ten men dead; six officers and 51 men wounded.

Von Ewald was rewarded for his service by his king by being promoted to lieutenant-general. He was also made commander of the Dutch Order of the Union, and Officier of the French Légion d’Honneur.

After Stralsund, Von Ewald returned to Oldeslohe, cantoning his troops in the neighbouring area. During the latter days of July, Ewald received orders from his king to dispel the British from Cuxhafen, to destroy their armament on the Elbe, and, if possible, to undertake a coup de main on Helgoland in co-operation with the Danish and French navies. For this purpose, Ewald embarked in Glückstadt with a detachment of about 1,500 men and four field guns, landed the same day near Freiburg and marched on Ritzebüttel. As soon as the British received word about Ewald’s advance, they completely retired on board of their ships, with which they remained in the vicinity of Cuxhafen. While Ewald was finding out how far it would be possible to execute the task entrusted to him, on 5 August he received a message about the march of the Duke of Brunswick, who was believed to march on Hamburg. To secure himself, Ewald concentrated his corps the next day near Bederkasa. While being here, the French General [François-Etienne ?] Damas commanding in Hamburg, as well as the Westphalian government, requested him to support the Allies of his sovereign. Therefore, Ewald was obliged to advance to Bremerlehe on the 7th. Having done what he thought was his duty, he was glad that the brave Duke managed make good his escape.

Main sources used:

- Anonymous, “Biographie des Königlich Dänischen Generallieutenants Johann von Ewald, nach dessen hinterlassenen Papieren und andere authentischen Quellen”, in ‘Militairische Blätter’ 1. Bd, 2. Jg. (Essen / Duisburg 1821).

- Francke, Otto, “Aus Stralsunds Franzosenzeit” (Stralsund ?).

© Geert van Uythoven