Capitulation of Stettin

Shattered Prussian Armies: The Fall of Jena-Auerstedt and Beyond

In the wake of the catastrophic Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, the once-mighty Prussian army lay in tatters, its remnants fleeing towards the Elbe River. But what exactly led to this devastating defeat? And how did the French manage to capture fortress after fortress with such ease?

The Aftermath of Jena-Auerstedt

After the crushing defeat at Jena-Auerstedt, the Prussian forces retreated in disarray, their morale shattered. The remnants of the army found themselves on the banks of the Elbe River, desperately trying to regroup and escape towards the safety of the east bank of the Oder. But fate had other plans.

Bluffing the Prussians: Murat’s Masterstroke

Marshal Joachim Murat, with his cunning and audacity, intercepted over 10,000 Prussian troops at Prenzlau. With a mere bluff, he managed to convince these demoralized soldiers that they were surrounded by overwhelming French forces. The result was a swift surrender on October 28th, with the Prussians laying down their arms in what seemed like a last-ditch effort to avoid further disaster.

The Surrender of Pasewalk and Stettin

Following the Prenzlau incident, General Antoine Lasalle continued his relentless pursuit. On October 29th, he arrived at Pasewalk, where Oberst von Hagen’s force of 4,200 soldiers and eight guns surrendered without a fight. The next day, Lasalle marched towards Stettin, the fortress that would become the final chapter in this saga of Prussian capitulation.

The Surrender of Stettin: A Humiliating Defeat

Upon reaching Stettin, Lieutenant General Friedrich Romberg faced a daunting situation. Believing he was confronted by 30,000 Frenchmen, Romberg entered into negotiations with Lasalle. The outcome was the surrender of 5,300 troops and 281 guns, marking one of the most humiliating defeats in Prussian military history.

The Fall of Küstrin: A Fortified Last Stand

Within a week, the fortress of Küstrin fell to General of Brigade Nicolas Hyacinthe Gautier’s brigade of Davout’s III Corps. Oberst von Ingersleben commanded a garrison of 2,400 troops, including the Usedom Hussar Regiment and several infantry regiments, who quickly capitulated. The 22nd Dragoon Regiment arrived before Wolgast on November 2-3, securing the surrender of Oberstleutnant von Prittwitz with a total of 2,500 men and 500 wagons.

The Final Struggle: Blücher’s Last Stand

By November 3rd, only Prussian field armies led by Blücher and Lieutenant General Christian Ludwig von Winning remained. Blücher planned to march east to join forces with other generals, while Winning aimed to escape to the port of Rostock by sea. However, this plan was overruled, and Blücher ultimately marched 21,000 men towards Magdeburg.

The Battle of Lübeck: The Final Blow

On November 6th, the French army, led by Soult, Bernadotte, and Murat, caught up to Blücher at Lübeck. This final confrontation sealed the fate of the Prussian remnants. The battle was a decisive victory for Napoleon’s forces, marking the end of significant organized resistance from the Prussians.

As the dust settled, it became clear that the Prussian army had been shattered beyond repair. The surrender at Stettin, though a single event in a larger campaign, symbolized the end of an era for Prussia. The lessons learned from this defeat would shape future military strategies and policies, ensuring that such a catastrophic loss would not be repeated.