Battle of Saalfeld

The battles of Saalfeld took place the October 10th 1806 between the France, the 5th Large army corps ordered by the marshal Lannes and a coalition of the Prussia and the Saxony, the avant-garde of the army of the general Hohenlohe ordered by the prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia.

Tally

Whereas the others united reconstitute their forces after the defeats inflicted by the Large army of Napoleon Prussia, pushed by the aristocrats and the queen, the war declares. The forces are equal numerically but those of France are much better aguerries.

Battle

The division Suchet which is in front of the 41 000 men of the column is émoustillée when it goes down from the collar by artillery of the station of Saalfeld defended by 2 000 riders and 7 000 infantrymen.

Lannes does not await Augereau and gives the order immediately to attack. Suchet is sent through wood to turn the left side of the Prussians, while an attack of diversion is made in the center. Prince Louis includes/understands in time the danger, reinforces his left wing and advances in the center to take the control of the village of Schwarza.

Account by Napoleon:

“the cannonade lasted only two hours; half of the division of the Suchet general only gave; the Prussian cavalry was collapsed by the 9 {{E}} and 10th regiment of hussards; the Prussian infantry could not preserve any order in her retirement; a part was collapsed in a marsh, a part dispersed in wood. 1 was made; 000 prisoners; 600 men remained on the battle field; thirty parts of gun fell to the capacity from the army. Thus seeing the rout of his people, prince Louis of Prussia, as a brave man and honest soldier, was caught body-with-body with a Marshal-of-home (Guindet) of the 10th regiment of hussards. “Go, Colonel, says to him the hussard or you died.” The prince answered him by a blow of saber; the marshal-of-home counteracted by a blow of point, and the prince fell dead. If the last moments of its life were those of a bad citizen, its death is glorious and worthy of regret; he died as must wish to die very good soldier. Two of its aide-de-camps were killed at its sides. ”

The French losses are assembled only to 172 men.

External bonds

Saalfeld

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