The Danish army, under General Christian Julius De Meza had taken up position at the defenses of Dannevirke and had managed to hold the Prussians at bay at the Battle of Mysunde on the 2 February.
With the lack of heavy artillery and judging that the Dannevirke fortifications were insufficient for a successful defense, De Meza decided the position was untenable and ordered a withdrawal to preserve the army intact and prevent encirclement.
Fierce fighting, including hand-to-hand combat, followed and lasted for hours without either side gaining the decisive upper hand, until an Austrian bayonet charge finally forced the Danes to retreat.
With this successful rearguard action by the 7th Brigade, the Danish army reached the safety of the redoubts at Dybbøl.
The perceived loss of face also meant that a later withdrawal from defences at Dybbøl was almost impossible due to public and political pressure.