Terp, Holger: Danish Peace History - Det danske Fredsakademi

The war of 1864
Danes used civil disobedience
88 , desertion and
were conscientious objectors
during the 1864 war with
Germany-Austria. In the
period 1863-65 the moulder
Ove Petersen was sentenced
four times for objection based
on religious conviction. The
military court used the same
argumentation as in the case
of Könecken: “because of
religious fanaticism objected to
dress in the uniform and
conscription”, and because of
religious fanaticism objected
“duty” and “deserted” 89 . This is
but one of many cases during
and after the war.
Some Danish prisoners of war
were returned to Denmark
years after the war. Their
German prison experience
made them insane 90 . This
subject is unknown even to
military historians and needs
more research.
The lost war of 1864 became
an important subject in the
continued Danish security
debate.
One of Fredrik Bajer's booklets on the diplomatic negotiations after the war in 1864,
“A serious drama of modern history: how Danish Slesvig was lost: a peep behind the
veiled scenes of diplomacy, and a warning”, was translated by P. H. Peckover and
published in 1867 by the London Peace Society. In his book Bajer documents that it
88 Bajer, Fredrik: Livserindringer. 1909 p. 120.
Map source: Robert H. Labberton, New Historical Atlas and General History (New York, NY: Townsend
MacCoun, 1886)
Map Credit: Courtesy The Private Collection of Roy Winkelman
http://etc.usf.edu/maps/pages/6900/6926/6926.htm
89 Hansen, Peter Mikael: Militærvægring 1849-1917. Roskilde 2001 pp. 69-70.
90 Politiefterretninger. Danmark. In: Adresseavisen, Kristiania [Oslo], 1869, No. 8 p. [3].