alternatehistory.com

14 January

Danish Union troops arrive at the Dannevirke and enter the positions.
Almost immediately, it becomes clear that the value of the Dannevirke in discussions of the potential war was considerably overstated. Barracks are not in place, and the fortifications themselves - while solid - are neither defended by abatis nor equipped with connecting roads.
There is a lot of digging work to do, and it is quite cold.


15 January

Prussian officers lay out an approach plan on the Dannevirke. Depending on the number of troops present, they will either force it or take a more oblique approach - the mobilization strength of the Danish Union is not known, and a further point is how many Holstein troops will actually fight for Denmark.

Owing to the possible need for a homogenous turning force, the Prussian I Corps is given a warning order that they may also be required to participate in operations against the Danish Union. For now they are to concentrate in readiness to act as a reserve.

Official rejection by Denmark of the German ultimatum.


17 January

A small skirmish takes place some miles south of the Dannevirke, between a Danish cavalry troop and the entire military of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (consisting of a troop of dragoons). The situation is complicated greatly by mist, and both sides later report inflicting severe casualties on an overwhelmingly large enemy force before retreating in good order.

This causes a delay in the German advance (as other cavalry forces deploy to try and fix the position of this Danish blocking force) and makes the Danish commander nervous about how long he has to complete urgent alterations to the Dannevirke. He has a few officers detailed to work out the logistics of a retreat from the fortification line, in case it becomes necessary to take this unhappy option.

22 January
Duncan Cameron launches a sea expedition to Tauranga, believed to be an entrepot for Maori reinforcements to the Paterangi line. He specifies the dispatch of a Snider-equipped battalion (he now has two battalions of Regulars with the Snider) as part of the force.



25 January
German forces cross in force from Holstein to Schleiswig, confident of a secure supply line through Holstein.
The initial plan is to launch probing attacks at possible weak points of the Dannevirke, with the first being Mysunde (a point where the inlet that covers the flank of the Dannevirke is narrow).
At the same time, the Prussian I Corps is ordered to move to Holstein as strategic reserve.


A squadron formed around the Danish battleship Skjold (64) and frigate Sjaelland (42) blockades Swinemunde and thus Stettin. Other Danish squadrons will blockade other ports on the Prussian coast, with the ironclads Rolf Krake and Danebrog kept back as reserve to cover the Oresund and the Esbern Snare and Absolon looked at with shore attack in mind.


26 January

Abraham Lincoln makes a speech in which he asks why the Union has treated the Indians worse than has the Confederacy, and states that it is the fault not of the Indian people but of the Bureau of Indian Affairs if Indians are starved to the point of revolt.
It seems clear that Lincoln has decided it would be better to speak his mind on this issue, and his position is hard-hitting - he compares those who ignore the complaints of Indians to "Lords North" (which provokes gasps from the crowd).


The Bureau of Indian Affairs takes note that the speech was made, but does not suggest any further action.