Napoleon arrived at Jena on the 18th of October, 1806, and soon divined that it was the intention of the Prussians to fight on the morrow.
Giving orders to Davoust and Bernadotte, and not waiting for the guard, which were thirty hours’ march away, he determined on beginning the attack himself.
Lannes ranged his corps on a plateau in front of Jena, which the Prussians had unwisely neglected to occupy. Lefebvre and the Imperial Guard formed in a square upon the summit, and Napoleon bivouaced in the midst of his troops.
He offered rewards for every piece of artillery that was dragged on to the plateau, and reminded his men that the Prussians were fighting for their lives—and not for honor; and that if hard pressed they were sure to be entirely routed. Such was the result; 20,000 Prussians were either killed or taken prisoners, among them twenty generals; 300 guns, and sixty standards were part also of the spoil.
THE BATTLE OF JENA.
MARSHAL NEY AT ELCHINGEN.
At break of day on the 14th of October, 1806, Marshal Ney attacked the bridge of Elchingen, with Loison’s division. The enemy occupied their position with 15,000 or 16,000 men and upon them the 69th regiment of the line began the attack in admirable order and with the greatest sang froid, supported by the 76th regiment of infantry, the 18th of dragoons, and the 10th of chasseurs. These four regiments rivalled each other in intrepidity and bravery. Repulsed in two successive charges, they began a third attack with still more fury; and after four hours of a murderous fusilade the enemy were driven back, abandoning their position at Elchingen, and were pursued into their entrenchments in front of Ulm. One Major-general, and 3000 men were made prisoners, and several pieces of artillery were lost to the French on this brilliant day; which afterward procured for Ney the title of Duke of Elchingen.
