70 CAPTURE OF FRIEDRICHSORT. 



The latter turned out in respectable numbers, and I 

 tried to prove to them that it was absolutely necess- 

 ary for the protection of the life and property of the 

 citizens of Kiel to occupy Friedrichsort, which to-day 

 would be quite easy, but to-morrow perhaps no 

 longer so. 



My speech took effect. After a brief consultation 

 the civic guard declared itself ready to take possession 

 of the fort in the coming night if I would undertake 

 the command, to which I of course willingly con- 

 sented. Accordingly with the help of the commander 

 of the town, who it is true had no men but a tolerably 

 well-filled magazine at his disposal, an expeditionary 

 corps of 150 men was hastily formed from the civic 

 guard, supplemented by a reserve of 50 men. 



Towards midnight we were on the way to Holtenau, 

 whence the storming of the fort was to be attempted. 

 My troops marched noiselessly and bravely on to the 

 draw- bridge, which luckily had been let down, and 

 with loud hurrahs we took possession of the fort. 

 Resistance of any kind whatever unfortunately was not 

 perceptible. I set up my head-quarters in the Com- 

 mander's house, and soon the garrison, consisting of 

 six old gunners and sergeants, altogether forgotten by 

 the Danes as it seemed, was brought captive before 

 us. The fellows were placed temporarily under arrest 

 and on the following day as the first prisoners of war 

 transported to Kiel; they were born Schleswig-Hol- 

 steiners. who manifestly were glad enough to obtain 

 in this manner their discharge from the Danish army. 



