The secessionists began amassing an army to perform this task in which they found many eager recruits, however, the vast majority lacked military experience.

As this was occurring the rebels moved to continue their march into Schleswig to secure the city of Flensburg, the largest settlement in the Duchy.

In spite of the success, Denmark failed to fully destroy the secessionist host with the exception of a Hunter Corps of Kiel University students.

With the German Confederation army due to arrive, the Danes would not entertain the idea of storming Rendsburg and instead dug into defensive positions north of the city.

The plan of the Prussian leader, General von Wrangel, was to move the army up to a point just south of Dannevirke, camp there, and attack the following day.

The Prussian lines faltered until the rear of Bonin's column, under Colonel Steimetz, attacked the Danes' left flank and sent them on the run.

On the eastern wing, the Prussians took Jordbærbjerg, and fierce fighting unfolded around the scrub-covered hills and a farm (Kratbakkerne and Annettehøj).

Amid the retreat the Danes had neglected to organize a proper rear guard in accordance with the fact that Danish high command believed Wrangel would not conduct a pursuit.