From Tait's Magazine. NELSON'S ATTACK ON COPENHAGEN. FROM THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF NIE BUHR, THE HISTORIAN OF ROME. AFTER a residence of a year and a half in Scotland, Niebuhr returned to Denmark, in the beginning of November, 1799. In May, 1800, he was appointed assessor at the Board of Trade for the East India department, and secretary and chief manager of the standing commission for the affairs of Barbary. In the same month, and before commencing the performance of his official duties, he was married to Amelia. In the autumn of the same year, he was offered a chair in the university of Kiel, which he declined in the mean time. His letters during the bombardment follow: To Madame Hensler. Copenhagen, March 24, 1801. You have probably learnt by the last post, the reports which are spread, of the approach of an English fleet towards us, which were brought by the captain of a vessel who had gone to the Sound, and also from the island of Anholt. We were not willing to write to you of the reports, although they were too likely to be true; and when they amounted to a certainty, it was then too late. On Sunday night, however, an express was despatched from Helsingor with intelligence that the fleet had been seen near Gillelye, about three miles northwest of this place. There are some roads there, where they had cast anchor; to-day people say that they have weighed anchor and crossed over. On Saturday evening, their negotiators, Drummond and Vansittart, left us after a conference, in which a very unbecoming demand was refused until the embargo should be taken off. An English frigate had come hither the preceding evening, under a flag of truce, but set sail again the same Saturday evening. The flag shows that they consider themselves at war with us, since they feel that they are waging it against us. We have not, however, displayed the least act of hostility towards them; but it is probable that the hour of firing the first shot, and of irrevocable war, is very near. It seems more likely to me that blood will flow to-day or to-morrow, than that a delay should take place, as many suppose. The wind is now favorable for the attempt of the English to force a passage, in which they must succeed; and as the cannonade from Cronberg must be very audible here in the city, we are often listening for the sound of it. Nelson's presence causes us, who expect from him the same energy he has displayed elsewhere, to think that our anchoring ground will be furiously attacked. Others give credit to a report that he is opposed to an expedition into the Baltic, and has said, that "he did not choose to ensnare himself in that mousetrap." People here are as anxious to hear as ready to spread news. An attack upon our line of defence, is, indeed, a fearful event for the city. I hope, however, that we shall support it. We should then earn fame, and awake the nation from its long slumber; undoubtedly with such a loss as we should feel for a length of time. That they should content themselves with blockading, when the war is certain, remaining satisfied with shutting us up, whilst we meanwhile were completing our preparations, is not at all probable. The next few weeks, therefore, will most likely decide our fate. I do not write a de tailed account of our preparations for defence, because no one can tell whether or not the conveyance of the mail may be exposed to danger. Thus much everybody is welcome to know, that yesterday, already as many as a thousand men were voluntarily enlisted in the service, the soldiers of which are, at other times, obtained by pressing. It seems odd that I should have to write to you of war and military preparations, and things in general so strange to us. The approaching crisis makes it perhaps difficult, especially when one talks much about it, to draw off the thoughts from it; but it shall not so engross us as to prevent our speaking to you of that with which we had better be occupied, than with topics which excite only anxiety, bitterness, and hostile emotions. We try to guard against this, and occupy ourselves, as far as we can, as in the midst of peace. We are reading the Odyssey in the first translation. 'Melia had almost entirely lost it from her memory, since she read it when you were both girls in the house of your parents. She takes a hearty pleasure in Homer, so that she thinks nothing more charming; and you know how delightfully she shows her enjoyment. This recitation, therefore, gives me great gratification. Before that, we read the Melanie of Laharpe. It is a beautiful performance; nor can you lay it aside without emotion. I consider it a rare master-piece, of great simplicity. 'Melia is perfectly composed; though the women here in general are in great distress. Schimmelmann is full of firmness and courage, although he is not blind to our danger. You must keep up your spirits concerning us, yet without being too secure, since a frightful misfortune might befall us. How and wherefore this is possible, he knows full well, and so do I; but I must write nothing on that head. As long as our line of defence holds out, no shots, and probably no shells, can reach us in the West-street; thus much for your comfort. Copenhagen, March 28, 1801. We received your letter yesterday, and must answer you immediately, since it calls for it with that anxious voice to which there is no being silent. You shall have intelligence from me by every post, and of everything which I hear and may speak of. I have, this time, written in a letter attached to this and addressed to Moltke, all that relates to our military condition; do you read it. I write to-day to my father, and to Behrens; communicate the intelligence still to B. One can speak and write of nothing else; and yet it becomes tiresome to be always saying the same thing. As for 'Melia, it is not to be thought of that she should already be able to resume her part in our correspondence. I wrote last time in some anxiety about our line of defence, an anxiety which I must now lessen. It was grounded upon the fear that the piles and planks which enclose the great island-battery, were only single, and might therefore be knocked down, which would cause the downfall of the whole battery. I have since learnt that this is not the case, but that they are so dove-tailed and rammed in, that we may be tolerably easy on that side. I have also learnt that the people are pretty well protected by a very strong breastwork on the bastion, and that a furnace for casting red-hot shot is raised there-a fact that I was not certain of before. I was afraid also that the channel between the islands and the dockyard fortifications, was deeper than I find it is. On that ground truly I take more courage: courage, that is, as to the result; for we have, and must have courage to resist, if we would not disgrace ourselves, even if we should perish. Only may you in Holstein continue safe! Our individual lives are so in a tolerable degree; and composure on that head, which at other times would be downright insensibility, is in time of war indispensably necessary. Should we survive the danger, it may harden us more than ever to act somewhat like men. Your opinion of our allies is, on the whole, very correct; I have never expected otherwise. Therefore it does not now depress me; and I thank Heaven for this foresight of the danger in its entire compass, (your state of defencelessness being excepted.) The king of Sweden has appeared in a very disadvantageous light in the conference with our respected Crown Prince. Sweden has promised us her ships, but not before the 2d of April. It was well known that this would be too late. The Schonen side of the sound is unfortified, and therefore the closing of the sound is impracticable. We have also been hindered in our preparations by mistakes and accidents. Fearful as our situation is, good effects have already resulted from it. We are awakened from sleep; experience has convinced us of much, to which advice and counsel could not make us attentive. No one shines more than Schimmelmann. Resigned to the loss of his great property in the colonies, willingly offering the remainder, resolved not to expose us to a still greater danger on the chances of a favorable issue, and for the mere parrying off of the danger which hangs over us, he surrenders himself to the suggestions of his heart, and thinks and speaks with a dignity and grace which rise from his soul and fortify it with peace and composure. Only one who observes him in a long conversation, can know how to esteem and value him as he deserves. The English are still at Gillelye, where they land peaceably and purchase fresh provisions. Gun-boats are to be stationed in the intervals between our block-ships; and it is asserted that it is impossible to storm the island-batteries. The whole line of defence will be ready. The wind is west. Copenhagen, March 31, 1801. I must announce to you (as the fact is undisputed) that the English fleet is now stationed in a hostile attitude before our harbor, where, favored by a wind that suddenly sprang up from the north, they cast anchor about ten o'clock yesterday morning. At Cronberg, though the wind allowed them to keep out of the reach of the guns of the fortress, a brisk cannonade was nevertheless kept up as they passed. It began about seven o'clock and lasted till half-past nine. They have attempted no farther hostilities against our works, except detaching some frigates and a cutter, apparently to make soundings, which, however, rapidly withdrew again, after some shots had been fired at them. Towards evening, they went through some evolutions, from which we expected an attack or bombardment; nothing, however, came of it, and as yet all is quiet. During last night, they sent a few sloops to plunder near the fishing-village of Skogshoved, close by Seelust. They were, however, hindered from effecting a landing by our light infantry. I am too tired, and the time is too far advanced, Schonen, a province of Sweden, east of the Sound.-T. for me to go out, in order to collect farther intelligence. Yesterday, I had no end of running about to get a view from high houses, towers, &c.; then, twice I had the long distance to Schimmelmann's, and back to my office, where one is obliged to lay aside all thoughts of self. I was knocked up, like any poor soldier. Since we expected an attack in the night. I wished to remain there. But, alas! Amelia could not keep herself from thence; and this has hurt her eyes. She entreats and caresses me until I give way, and then repent; for what I foresaw followed. On Sunday morning, the English admiral sent notice that he should have recourse to hostilities. Copenhagen, April 3, 1801. I The report of the bad success of our line of defence, has doubtless reached you, ere you get this letter. It was on Wednesday afternoon, at about five o'clock, that the alarm was sounded, in consequence of the movements of the English fleet. Fifteen of them, Nelson's division, (though I do not pretend to entire accuracy, especially as to numbers,) moved southwards, and took their station to the south of the right wing of our defensive line. It had been asserted (and according to the maritime charts it could not well be thought otherwise) that such an attempt of passing by our whole line could not be made without encountering their united fire. I do not understand how it was that not a shot struck them; and the reason given is, that they were beyond the range of our guns. fancied, therefore, that they must have passed between the Saltholm ground and the Swedish coast; but found, however, that this would not agree with the other accounts. By this time, it became clear enough that they would not make the attack upon our whole line, as was expected. Yet people built upon this, and consoled themselves with the assurance that our line, which was drawn out so far in that direction, could instantaneously be filled up and strengthened; and one man thought that the shallowness of the bed of the sea would place insuperable difficulties in the way of the enemy; and another (though of this I doubted) affirmed that the bastion, No. 5, and the others at the Holme, would be able to keep them in check. When, therefore, yesterday morning, about eleven o'clock, the firing commenced with sudden violence, (the only thing which could apprise us of what was impending,) we were affected, but still of good courage. We had imagined it would be so much more terrible, and therefore believed not the attack to be so furious or so general as it really was. I went to my office full of anxiety, in order to pack up the archives. On my way, and in my office, I heard all kinds of reports-of two, three, and more English ships, which were said to have run aground, and to be firing so furiously, to prevent us from boarding them. Meanwhile, the cannonading increased with redoubled rage, till, about half-past two, it became quite faint, and only single shots were discharged. I now went out again to get intelligence. There was a dead stillness in the streets, and one could hear the hollow sounds of the single shots. Occasionally I heard an officer talking with a citizen of a shell which had fallen and exploded near him. At the next corner, some people had crowded together to read a placard issued by the chief of the police, which contained instructions how to conduct themselves during a bombardment. I now turned homewards, tolerably alarmed, and could hear the single discharges which, without the possibility of a mistake, were caused by the throwing of shells. Again I went out, and last of all to Schimmelmann, who had just been speaking to one of the admiralty, and was full of deep anxiety. Presently came Herr Von S. with the intelligence that our block-ships on the right wing were knocked to pieces. I have never before been so shocked. I returned home, and told Amelia only a part of the misfortune. I soon came back again, and heard that a flag of truce had been sent from Nelson's fleet, and was the cause of the incomprehensible cessation of the enemy's firing. I learnt, moreover, details of the fight which were in the highest degree affecting. The whole city was in a state of consternation and desertion. April 4.-During the deficiency of information out of which a connected narrative of the battle could be formed, and because our condition would interest you even more than occurrences of this ever-memorable day, I intended yesterday to write to you, first of all, of that condition, and to collect more materials for the other to-day. tached to our line. I forgot to mention the princi- You shall have the proper history of the fight, as soon as I am sufficiently acquainted with it; to-day probably I can send only some detached features of it. We cannot deny it, we are entirely beaten. Our line of defence is destroyed, and we have everything at stake, without any apparent chance of winning anything, and without being able to cause the enemy any great harm, as long as he is satisfied with throwing shells at us, especially at the docks and the fleet laid up there; and all this because we have been deceived in our pro-matched. The Proevesteen had sometimes five jected plan of defence! But if we are obliged to look with troubled anxiety on the danger, and with dissatisfaction on the authors of the failure, so the very exemplary heroism which our people displayed, cheers us. It gives us a melancholy pleasure, and full of love. It does not, indeed, console us for the state, nor so satisfy us as to deceive us concerning our situation; but still it binds us to our nation, and makes us contented to suffer with it. Such a resistance was never seen before. Nelson himself has confessed, that in all the battles in which he has been present, he never saw anything that could be compared with it. His loss must have been greater than at Aboukir. It is a battle that may be compared with Thermopyle but Thermopyla opened Greece to devastation! On our right wing lay a line of block-ships; that is, the hulks of old men-of-war which were become unfit for service, but could be made use of as batteries. These had been manned with sailors and volunteers, for working the guns. We were so deficient in sailors, that we had not been able to station our regular fleet there, which, if completely fitted out, would have left no doubt about the victory in a battle fought as this has been. The Proevesteen, Captain Lassen, of 90 guns, (but these block-ships can make use of only one side of the vessel;) the Vagrien, Captain Riesbrigh; the Jytland, Captain Brand; the Infodsretten, Captain Thura; the Siatland, whose captain's name I am not certain about ;-these five vessels seem to have supported the attack of Nelson's whole divison, consisting of twelve ships of the line and several 54-gun vessels, among which, according to all appearance, the formidable Glatton, with its 68-pound carronades, was in the first line. Two gun-boats, a floating battery, and the frigate St. Thomas, appear also to have been at ships of the line opposed to her, and, among others, Nelson's own ship, of 98 guns. Besides this, a 54-gun ship had laid itself across, and swept her deck lengthways. The English ships succeeded each other by turns, and manœuvred to and fro. Nevertheless, the fight continued from half-past ten till about half-past one o'clock, when we were conquered, that is to say annihilated. The Proevesteen had a crew of between three and four hundred men of these, only thirty have returned to shore. They fought for an hour and a half with only three guns, because all the rest had been rendered useless. The deck was beaten in; the planks were, as it were, flayed off their surface; the steps were so entirely shot away, that the officers let themselves up and down by ropes, to give their orders, from one part of the ship to another. There was a shower of shots in the most literal sense, especially on and around this vessel. In more than one ship the crew are said to have fought at last without any one to give the word, and pressed forward to die at their guns. On board Captain Cofoed's ship only himself and another man remained unhurt, (not that he relaxed more than those who fell.) It is said that he, finding himself with only eight men left, commanded them to cease firing they, however, begged of him, since they could still work one gun, to be allowed to fire once more. As they were firing it, six of them were struck down, and the compression of the air from a passing shot struck him down insensible, but unhurt. Nelson's ship was stationed over against them, and they had vowed that he should remember having fought against them. It would make it quite impossible for me to write of our fate to my parents, if, as my inclination leads me, I should go on to relate to you much more of the same tendency. As soon as our line was silenced, the English | account of the great pressure at the office it was came in, and began throwing shells. This contin- delivered by the bearer at a place different from ued nearly two hours. Many of these fell in the usual. It would vex us greatly should it be lost, new docks without doing any harin; one of them partly on account of the authentic information conexploded close by the Crown Prince. tained therein, partly because it would show you how we felt at such an epoch, and because it was addressed to your heart, just as you would yourself have desired to have it. Nelson now sent in a boat, bearing a flag of truce, with a letter nearly of the following purport and form : "To the Danish Government. "I have taken seven batteries, and shall be obliged to burn them, if no arrangement takes place. But I wish to spare the effusion of human blood. "From the brave English, to their brethren "HORATIO NELSON." An aid-de-camp of the Crown Prince was sent to him to desire an explanation of this singular letter; and an armistice was agreed upon. This was done upon Nelson's representations, though Parker alone can properly make proposals, having been sent for this purpose. The armistice was prolonged. A prolonged armistice has since been granted longer, even if an arrangement should not meantill now, and may probably continue a few days while be entered into; which, if it can be made without exposing us to other dangers, is most desirable for us, when we calmly reflect upon our condition since the battle of the 2d instant. You will attribute this wish to no personal motives of fear. As 'Melia is so wonderfully composed; as respect for our heroic dead accompanies and sustains our every thought; as the whole nation sets such an example of courage and calm presence of mind as could perhaps be hardly ever witnessed elsewhere; and as danger is a consummate teacher; so must you not think of fear. The danger, however, is serious, in which the fleet, the dockbuildings, the arsenal, indeed all the most important structures of this city, (i. e. of the whole kingdom,) are placed, in case the enemy should bombard us from the quarter where the action was fought. This danger, I know, is not incapable of being averted: we have hitherto, from experience of their failure, learnt to think very I can scarcely give you an idea of the bringing meanly of the English bombshells; and if we are in of the wounded and the dead, and the scenes of ready with means to extinguish them, then a lamentation around them. Amelia burst into a limit may be set, as at least we may hope, to the flood of tears when she heard the fate of the Proe- devastation even of men glutted to the full. The vesteen's crew, among the first intelligence we re-issue, however, may turn out against us; and ceived. Anguish again overpowered her when an unfounded report arrived that all thought of defence was relinquished. She feared only a hasty, dishonorable agreement. The aspect of the city was terrible. Desolation everywhere, and nothing but carts loaded with effects, which people were conveying to a place of security. The stillness was like that of the grave: faces worn down with weeping; everything, in short, that could complete the expression of the still bleeding wounds of a defeat. The negotiation was proceeded with; concerning which, I can only say thus much to you, that even yesterday nothing was determined, though Nelson came ashore. The armistice continues at least till the early part of to-morrow. At all events, we must be prepared for a bombardment. The most alarming thing is that the battery of "the Three Crowns" is no longer tenable; and the enemy will hardly expose his ships of the line as long as he can bombard the docks, our fleet, and the city. Have no fears for ourselves in case of a bombardment. Our house lies remote; and as for being captured, in the proper sense of the term, it is out of the question. Amelia's eye is but poorly to-day in other respects she is well. Copenhagen, April 6, 1801. As the letter which we expected without fail has not arrived to-day, we assume, as your excuse, that you may have gone to B., for you certainly are deeply sensible what comforts letters from those whom we most love are in the anxious hours of danger. I wrote to you amidst the fury of the attack, and again in detail while melancholy and anxiety respecting the issue still hovered around us. A bombardment is still very possible, and I will write to you even when that is raging. Do not you, then, dear friend, be deficient on your part. We hope you got my letter of Saturday; but are not without some anxiety about it, because on where order and activity are required to protect us, there I expect not so much from our people as where it depends on Spartan-like courage. On this point we must not blind our eyes; nor yet upon the condition of the remaining half of our defensive line, which, from a narrowness of vision, was not constructed upon the possibility of the right wing of it being destroyed; a fault which I have often in vain mentioned since last summer, while we were yet at peace. Our good destiny has just sent us a man whose authority is sufficiently great to carry his purposes into execution; and this day has certainly been made use of to remedy the evil as far as may be. But is that sufficient? and, if not-then what slaughter will a fresh attack occasion! and that without our being able to take our revenge. Tuesday. The negotiation is still quite undecided. I dare not say anything more without abusing confidence. It is still possible a fresh attack may be warded off: if not, it is still more fearful for us in the city than the first was. You may be sure that 'Melia exerts herself to preserve presence of mind. It is grief for our people, and for the wounds which threaten the state, that mortifies us; we are afraid of a violent attack upon the remainder of our defensive line, rather than a bombardment : would that they would content themselves with that! I feel depressed, and am not in a mood to give you a more exact account of the fight. If things are quiet you shall hear very shortly. Dearest friend, adieu! Shall we soon again write in tranquillity? Will not the times come when these wounds are cicatrized, and we shall employ ourselves once more in our own proper circle, in which alone we can be either happy or useful? This period will probably leave a deep impression on our whole existence. Copenhagen, April 11, 1801. My last letter was written under a depression of spirits which I would fain have concealed from you. It was, however, impossible; and the circumstances of our situation only contributed too much towards producing it. We expected a bombardment in the evening, which I withheld from you: we reckoned only on the chance of a respite from the violent wind that was unfavorable to the enemy. It appeared that the negotiations must be broken off. If this, and the general flight from the city towards our quarter and others that are less exposed, mortified us, and filled us with grief for the fortune of the state; so also the troubled and wild state of the elements around us has helped much to make us full of anguish. My heart is heavy with that which I have to say to you, or should have if we could converse together. The English changed their mind quite unexpectedly. The armistice was renewed, and on the following day Nelson came ashore to the Crown Prince. They agreed upon an armistice of greater extent, which was finally limited to fourteen weeks. We are thereby enabled to provide for Norway, which is suffering from want almost to starvation. We do not disarm; though the landwehr are dismissed to their field-labors. On Sunday, a division of fourteen sails, moved off towards the sound. It was said their object was to take in water at Helsingoer, because that which had hitherto been fetched from Hveen had caused a dysentery. Others, however, conjecture that they might be destined against Gotheburg. It was announced yesterday from Helsingoer that three large English vessels, (probably hospital ships, that is, some that had been disabled in the engagement, which are generally used for that purpose,) have passed through the sound. Several days before, the English had despatched two frigates and a cutter towards the Baltic. Yesterday, almost all the rest of their fleet took their departure hence; and they are lying to-day near the height of Castrup. We are still in complete uncertainty as to the degree of influence which the present government of Russia will have upon our peace. Nelson was apprized of the death of the Emperor Paul. The question now is, whether he will, nevertheless, turn his arms against Russia, (though, at present, certainly the ice excludes the attempt,) or first of all against equivocating Sweden. At Carlscrona, however, he cannot, according to appearance, effect anything. Our officers assert that the enemy have burnt several of their own disabled ships; more are said to have been thus burnt than they have captured from us. Their loss is reported to amount to 2000 men, killed and wounded. They have received many shots below water-mark. They can tow none of our ships home with them: on that point our captains rejoice. During the fight Nelson was furious at the opposition he encountered, and paced up and down the deck, cursing and swear The great loss of the enemy is proved, without question, by the terms of the agreement, which are not very advantageous to him. He is only enabled by it to sail away when he chooses, and as he can. They will hardly carry back all their ships. Par-ing at us. ker's son is said to have fallen. Nelson has lost three captains, (two of them fought with him at Aboukir,) and on board the Elephant, his own ship, the captain, two lieutenants, and 117 men. Another English vessel is reported to have had 230 killed. Two English ships of the line struck, but could not be taken. We have, therefore, I think, gained honor and respect throughout Europe, as well as a stronger bond of esteem and love for the whole kingdom. I wish that the intelligence of the armistice could have followed close upon my last letter for your anxiety afflicts us. We were prepared for every event. We might lose all that we had that is to be reckoned as nothing in such a danger of our father-land; and, indeed, the danger, as it increased, raised us to higher degrees of courage. Should, therefore, the danger return, be not too anxious about us. We willingly remained where we were; and would, at no price, have sought for our individual security. Farewell! The time allows me to say no more. Pray, write to us; you give us thereby so much pleasure. Amelia's eye is but poorly. Copenhagen, April 14, 1801. The armistice that has been concluded for Denmark restores us again to our accustomed relations during its continuance. Every event of importance, however, shall still be made the occasion of a letter extraordinary. You know the particulars of the armistice from the newspapers. I now send you some intelligence concerning the enemy, and of our own dear people. It is affirmed as a fact, that three English ships which were stationed near the Three Crown battery, were in such a state, one with another, at the time when Nelson offered the armistice and the firing was obliged to cease, that they must have been lost, without any chance of delivery, had the contest been continued, and that two of them had already struck their flags. Had the Three Crowns battery been in such a state as it now is, and had the fight been prolonged against these battered English ships, it is thought they would have been captured, and so the evening of the action might still probably have turned out fine. Magnanimity had nothing to do with Nelson's proposal for an armistice. It is very probable that he had begun the attack without instructions from his superior in command. One of our lieutenants, only seventeen years old, (I believe his name is Willemose,) has gained very distinguished honor in the command of the floating battery. He took his station over against Nelson, and with the greatest sang-froid constantly aimed his guns at the rudder of his ship. His battery was at last silenced; he brought it back, however, in safety. It is already put into condition, and given to him again. Yesterday, all the officers belonging to the line of defence were invited to the king's table: this young man excused himself from coming, preferring to remain at his post with his battery. Nelson expressed a desire to see him, as he had particularly attracted his attention. I have seen Captain Lussen of the Proevesteen; and I have agreed, with the chamberlain, Bille, and others, to dine in company with the officers. I hope then still to learn many particulars of the |