The Prussians fled at full speed; but the more rapidly they retreated,
the more eagerly we maintained the pursuit. Being overtaken within
sight of Magdeburg, they took refuge behind the entrenchments,
where they were soon forced to lay down their arms. The garrison
was invested; and William, who was there, thought himself happy in
escaping. All around him had crouched beneath the storm. Prussia was
no longer the valiant nation which entertained the idea of driving us
back upon the Rhine. A reverse of fortune had overthrown her; a single
blow had levelled her with the dust. She flew to meet defeat: she
yielded, and delivered herself up. Never was a nation laid so low. Her
fall was about to be completed: all our corps were preparing to march
on Berlin, and to take possession of the city. Napoleon, however,
reserved that honour for the corps which had most contributed to the
victory; namely, that commanded by Davoust. The following are the
instructions which he addressed to the Marshal:
“ORDER TO MARSHAL DAVOUST.
“Wittenberg, Oct. 23d, 1806.
“If the parties of light troops, which you have of course
despatched on the roads leading to Dresden and the Spree, inform
you that you have no enemies on your flanks, you will direct your
march so as to be able to make your entry into Berlin on the 25th
of the present month, at noon. You will cause the General of
Brigade, Hullin, to be acknowledged as commander of the garrison
of Berlin. You may leave whatever regiment you think fit to do
duty in the city. You will despatch parties of light cavalry on
the roads to Kustrin, Langsberg, and Frankfort on the Oder. You
will station your army corps at the distance of a league or a
league and a half from Berlin; the right supported on the Spree,
and the left on the road to Langsberg. Fix your head-quarters on
the road to Kustrin, at some country residence in the rear of
your force. It is the Emperor's intention to afford his troops
a few days' repose; and therefore you will construct for them
huts of straw and wood. Generals, staff-officers, colonels, and
others, must be lodged in the villages in the rear of their
divisions, and no one in Berlin. The artillery must be stationed
in positions which cover the camp; the artillery-horses at the
piquets, and all in the best military order.
“You will cut, that is to say, intercept, as early as possible,
the navigation of the Spree by a strong party, so as to stop all
the boats that may attempt to proceed from Berlin to the Oder.
“To-morrow our head-quarters will be at Potsdam. Send one of your
aides-de-camp to inform me where you may be on the nights of the
23d and 24th.
“If Prince Ferdinand should be in Berlin, present your
compliments to him, and give him a guard, with entire freedom
from quartering.
“Publish immediately the order for disarming the troops in
Berlin, leaving only 600 militia for the police-duty of the city.
The arms of the citizens must be conveyed to some place that may
be determined on, to be at the disposal of our army.
“Make known to your corps that the Emperor, in directing it to be
the first to enter Berlin, gives a proof of his satisfaction of
the excellent conduct of the troops at the battle of Jena.
“Be careful to direct that all the baggage, and particularly that
which is in bad condition, shall halt at the distance of two
leagues from Berlin, and rejoin the camp, without passing through
the capital, but by proceeding along another road on the right.
Finally, make your entrance into Berlin in the best possible
order, and by divisions, each division having its artillery, and
marching at the interval of an hour after each other.
“The camp being formed, give orders that the troops proceed to
the city only by thirds, so that there may be always two-thirds
at the camp. As his Majesty expects to make his entrance into
Berlin, you may provisionally receive the keys of the city,
informing the magistrates that they must nevertheless deliver
them up to the Emperor on his arrival. You must require the
magistrates and persons of distinction to receive you at the
gates of the city, in all due form; and direct your officers to
make the best appearance that circumstances will permit. The
Emperor proposes that you shall make your entrance by the high
road of Dresden.
“The Emperor will probably take up his abode in the palace of
Charlottemburgh. Give orders that every thing may be prepared for
his reception.
“There is a little rivulet which falls into the Spree, at the
distance of a league and a half or two leagues from Berlin, and
which intersects the road leading to En.”