1 battle, however, was carried on with the greatest spirit. His Prussian Majesty led the troops in person, and had two horses shot under him.-Every Prussian General exposed himself to the greatest dangers, and the Prince of Orange Fulda distinguished himself in a most remarkable manner. The murderous fire of musquetry and grape. shot swept away whole ranks of war. riors. The conflict lasted till five in the afternoon; and, according to information received, Marshal Ney's division of 12,000 men, coming up fresh, gave a decisive turn to the affair. The strength of the combined armies united is computed at 200,000 men." "Part of the Prussian Army, about 7000 men, after the battle of Averstadt, threw themselves into Erfurt, under the command of Marshal Mollendorff and the Prince of Orange. Mollen dorff, in his 80th year, shewed himself worthy of the high esteem in which he was held by the great Frederick-He fought with the most heroic courage-he was wounded three times in the battle;-after his wounds had been dressed, he returned to the field and assumed the command of the army, which the Duke of Brunswick had been obliged to relinquish. At Erfurt, he was unable to resist the enemy's superior force, and was obliged to surrender on the 19th. He and the Prince of Orange were liberated on their parole-the 7000 men were made prisoners and sent to the Rhine, but were rescued on their march by a Prussian detachment of about 500 men.--A Prussian Lieutenant, having heard that the 7000 men were under the escort of only 300 men, offered to rescue them, which he effected -he posted himself in a wood at Eichstadt, and when the enemy passed, he sallied out upon them, took the French, and released the Prussians, who returned to Eisenach, and made the French who were there prisoners--they then followed the route of the Prussian Army." Of the battle of Averstadt we are without any Prussian official account; according to every private account, it must have been fought with unparallelled obstinacy. The musket ball by which the Duke of Brunswick was wounded, entered a little above the right eye, and came out near the inner corner of the left. He has lost the sight of his left eye, and can only discern a small glimmering of light with the right. His Highness has arrived at Altona, and intends to visit Sweden or England. One of the first results of this battle was, as might be expected, the withdrawing of Saxony from her alliance with Prussia. All the prisoners have been released; and Bonaparte, in granting her a Convention of Neutrality, broadly hinted, that if she would preserve her independence, she must join the Confederation of the Rhine. But, notwithstanding the recognition of the neutrality of Saxony, the footsteps of the French in that country are marked by devastation and cruelty. Weimar, the seat of the German Muses, Jena, Averstadt, Halle, Naumburgh, and other places, were given up to plander, and afterwards partly burnt. After the fatal battle of Averstadt, or Jena, on the 14th, the French head-quarters were successively advanced to Weimar, Naumburg, Merseburg, and Des. sau, always considerably in the rear of the different divisions which had been sent in pursuit of the Prussians. Murat's division advanced by Halberstadt, and took possession of the territory of Brunswick. The Duke had requested that its neutrality might be acknowledged, but received an insolent refusal. The divisions of Soult and Ney pushed on to Magdeburg, which was invested on the 23d, and summoned to surrender. It is capable of sustaining a long siege, if the garrison is sufficently numerous to man the works, which is doubted. Soult, on his march, is stated to have taken 1200 prisoners, 30 pieces of cannon, and from 200 to 300 waggons. The French centre division, under Bernadotte, advanced to Halle, whither Prince Eugene of Wirtemberg had brought up the Prussian reserve. Bernadotte attacked and defeated him, taking 5000 prisoners and 34 pieces of cannon. The right division of the French advanced to Leipzig, which it entered on the 18th. A proclamation was immediately issued, ordering all British merchandise in the city to be delivered up and confiscated, under pain of military execution. The Magistrates were also ordered to make a just declaration of the military magazines be longing longing to Saxony and Prussia, as well of ammunition as of commerce. In the proclamation the merchants were informed, "that since the tyrants of the Seas (meaning England) will not respect any flag, it is the intention of the Emperor (meaning Napoleon) to seize every where their merchandise, and strictly to block them up in their own island." According to another account, however, the English goods were not seized, but a contribution of 1,000,000 dollars was accepted in lieu of them-for a good reason-they had been most ly previously removed. Davoust afterwards crossed the Elbe, and proceeded direct for Berlin, which city his advanced guard (15,oco men) entered on the 24th, under the command of General Hulin, the same who was the last year the French Commandant at Vienna. While the different divisions of the French army were thus employed, the army of the north advanced, and took possession of the Prussian provinces in Westphalia, the principality of Osnaburgh, and the whole of the Friesland, in the name of the King of Holland, and it is believed that the Dutch territories will be extended to the Elbe. Hanover is entirely in the possession of the French, with the exception of the fortress of Hamein, which, it appears, the Prussians are determined to defend, and have laid the environs under water. The fifteenth bulletin contains a very curious article, entitled, "Copy of a Letter written by the Emperor Napoleon to the King of Prussia, and sent by Captain Montesquieu, at ten in the morning of the 13th October, to Prince Hohenlohe, who received it at four o'clock the same afternoon."-The bul letin adds, that it has been published, because it has been greatly admired in the Prussian army, among whom many copies have been circulated. This disgusting composition outdoes in effrontery and insolence all the insidious observations contained in these bulletins. Treachery, falsehood, assassination, and robbery, can never dishonour the name of Napoleon while he holds the sword of victory. Letter to the King of Prussia. SIR, MY BROTHER, "I have only received, upon the 7th, your Majesty's letter of the 25th of September. I am sorry that you have been induced to sign a pamphlet of that kind. I only answer your Majesty's letter for the purpose of assuring you, that I shall never attribute to your Ma. jesty the things contained in it. Eve-.. ry thing in it is contrary to the character of your Majesty, and to the honour of us both. I pity and despise those who have been the authors of such a production. 1 received immediately afterwards the note of your Minister, dated the 1st of October. It has given me the rendezvous for the 8th. As a true Knight, I have kept my word, and am now in the middle of Saxony. Let your Majesty believe me, I have such a force, that all your Majesty's forces cannot keep the victory long doubtful. But why should we shed so much blood? For what purpose is it? I shall use to your Majesty the same language that I used to the Emperor Alexander, before the battle of Austerlitz. May heaven grant, that corrupt men and fanatics, who are more the enemies of you and your throne, than they can be of me and my nation, may not give you the same advice to bring you to the same result. "I have been your friend for these six years. I do not wish to profit by this kind of vertigo which animates your Councils, and which has made you commit errors in politics with which Europe is quite astonished, and errors in a military point of view, with which Europe will soon resound. If your Majesty had, in your note, demanded any thing that it was possible for me to grant, I should have granted it; you have asked what would be dishonour to me, and therefore you might be sure about what would be my reply. War is, therefore, declared between us, and the alliance broken for ever. But why should we shed the blood of our subjects? I set no value upon a victory which is purchased by the lives of a number of my children. If I were now beginning my military career, and if I could fear the chances of war, this language would be out of its place. Sir, your Majesty will be conquered. You will have compromised the peace of your life, and the existence of your subjects, without even the shadow of a pretext. This day you are unbroken, and may treat with me in a manner suitable suitable to your rank Your Majesty may treat with me before a month is over, but in a situation very different. Your Majesty has permitted yourself to use irritating expressions, which have been artfully prepared. You have told me that you have often rendered me services. Well, then, I shall give you a proof of the recollection that I have of them. It is now in your power to save your subjects from the ravages of war. It is hardly now begun, and you may finish it, and Europe will be much indebted to you. If your Majesty shall listen to those frantic persons who, 14 years ago, wished to take Paris, and who now have induced you to embark in a war, and in offensive projects equally inconceivable, your Majesty will do an injury to your people that the remainder of your life will not be able to heal. Sir, I have nothing to gain in a contest with your Majesty: I want nothing, nor ever did want any thing from you. The present war is a most impolitic one. I feel that, perhaps, by this letter, I am irritating that sensibility which naturally belongs to every Sovereign; but the present circumstances admit of no disguise. I tell your Majesty what I think. your Majesty, moreover, permit me to tell you, that it is no great discovery to Europe to learn, that France is three times more populous, and as brave and warlike, as the states of your Majesty. I have not given you any real subject for war. Let your Majesty then order this swarm of malevolent and inconsiderate persons to be silent, with that respect that is due to your throne, and restore that tranquility that is due to yourself and to your dominions. If you will never again find an ally in me, you will find a man who is desirous of never waging any wars that are not indispensible for the interest of my people, and of never shedding blood in a contest with Sovereigns, who have no opposite interest to me, from industry, commerce, and political system. I pray your Majesty to see in this letter only the desire I have to spare the effusion of human blood, and to save a nation, that, from its geographical position, cannot be an enemy to mine, from the bitter repentance which it would have to feel, from having listened too much to those momentary passions, Nov. 1856. Let "From my Imperial Camp at Gera, Oct. 12. 1806. Potsdam, Oct. 25. The corps of Marshal Lannes arrived here on the 24th. The Emperor arriv ed at Potsdam yesterday, and entered the palace. In the afternoon he went to inspect the new palace of Sans Souci, and the country in the environs of Potsdam; he found the situation and the building very pleasant. He staid some time in the chamber of Frederick the Great, the hangings and furniture of which are the same now as at the time of his decease.. The Emperor has been to view the tomb of Frederick the Great. The remains of this great man are inclosed in a wooden coffin, covered with copper." It is placed in a vault, without any ornaments, any trophies of victory; without any distinction to recal the memory of his great and heroic actions. * The citadel of Spandau, three miles from Berlin, and four from Potsdam, strong by its situation in the midst of water, having a garrison of 1200 men, and a great quantity of ammunition and provisions, was surrounded on the night of the 24th. Gen. Bertrand, the Emperor's Aid-de-Camp, had previouslyreconnoitred the place. The cannon was ready to open upon it, and the garrison began to be alarmed, when Marshal Lannes proposed a capitulation, which was accepted. Charlottenburg, Oct. 27. The Emperor left Potzdam at twelve o'clock, to inspect the fortress of Spandau. He has charged Chasseloup, commandant of the engineers, with improving the fortifications of that place. This is a fine piece of work--the magazines are magnificent, and meal, oats, &c. have been found in them sufficient to serve the army for two months; besides ammunition sufficient to double the provision for the whole of the artillery. This fortification, upon the Spree, two miles from Berlin, is an incalculable advantage. In our hands, it would have sustained a siege of two months, months after the trenches had been o. pened. The reason why the Prussian Commandant did not defend it was, because he had not received any orders; and the French having arrived before he had received information of the defeat of the Prussians at Jena, the batteries were not in readiness, and the place in a manner disarmed. To give an idea of the uncommon confusion which prevailed in the Prùs. sian Monarchy, it is sufficient to say, that the Queen,upon her return from her ridiculous and lamentable journey to Erfurt and Weimar, passed a whole night at Berlin without seeing a single person; that the people were, for a long time, without knowing where the King was; that no person took any care for the safety of the capital; and that the citizens were compelled to unite, in order to form a Provisional Government. In the palaces there was not the least order observed, so that the sword of the Great Frederick was easily found at Potzdam, together with the scarf which he wore during the seven years war; also the insignia of the Black Eagle. The Emperor took these trophies with transport, saying, "I would rather have these than twenty millions;" then pausing a little, he added, "I shall send these to my old soldiers, who served in the war of Hanover; I shall present them to the Governor of the Invalids; in that hotel they shall remain." Charlottenburg, October 27. As the military movements are no longer uncertain, they are become still more interesting, by the contrivance of marches and manoeuvres. The indefatigable Grand Duke of Berg was at Zehdenick on the 26th, at three o'clock in the afternoon, with a brigade of light cavalry, under General Lasalle, while the division of dragoons under Generals Beaumont and Grouchy were marching to the same point. The brigade under General Lasalle presented itself to the enemy, who opposed it with 6000 cavalry. This was the whole of the cavalry of the Prussian army that had escaped from Magdeburgh, forming the advanced guard of Prince Hohenloe's corps, directing their march towards Stettin. At four in the afternoon, when both divisions of the cavalry had arrived, General Lasalle attacked the enemy with his usual intrepidity, which has always formed the character of the French hussars and yagers in the present war. The enemy's line, though formed three deep, was broken; they were pursued into the village of Zehdenick, and thrown into confusion in the defiles.The Queen's regiment of dragoons endeavoured to recover themselves, but the dragoons of Grouchy's division soon shewed themselves, fell upon the enemy, and made dreadful havock among them. A part of these 6000 cavalry were driven into the morasses; 800 remained upon the field; 700 with their horses were made prisoners. The Colonel and a great number of officers of the Queen's regiment are included.The colours of the regiment are taken. Berlin, Oct. 28. Yesterday the Emperor made his public entry into this city; he was attended by the Prince of Neufchatel, and the Marshals Davoust and Augereau. Marshal Lefevre headed the train with the Imperial footguards. The Emperor marched between the grenadiers and horse yagers, belonging to his lifeguard. At three in the afternoon he alighted at the Palace, where he was received by the Grand Marshal Duroc. A vast concourse of people had assem. bled as spectators of this ceremony. The whole of the Civil Administration, presented by General Hulin, came to offer the keys to the Emperor. This body immediately waited upon his Majesty. The General Prince Hatzfeldt was at their head. This morning the Envoys of Bavaria, Spain, Portugal, and the Ottoman Porte, resident at Berlin, were admitted to an audience of his Majesty. Afterwards his Majesty received the whole of the Lutheran and Reformed Consistories. There are upwards of 12,000 French at Berlin, whose prede. cessors took refuge there, in consequence of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. His Majesty conversed with the principal persons among these Protestants, and told them, that they had a just claim upon his protection, and that their privileges, and the exercise of their worship, should be secured to them. His Majesty advised them them to concern themselves with their own affairs, to remain peaceable, and pay obedience and respect to the Sovereign. The Courts of Justice were presented. His Majesty conversed with the Members of the Courts of Appeal, and gave them some instructions as to the manner in which justice should be administered. Count Van Neale coming into the hall of audience, the Emperor said to him," Well, Sir, your ladies wished for war, and they have been gratified; it becomes you to manage your household better." (Letters had been intercepted from the Count's daughter.) “The good people of Berlin have been the sacrifice of the war; while those who excited it have left them, and are be come fugitives. I shall reduce those noble courtiers to such extremities, that they shall be compelled to beg their bread." The Emperor ordered, that twentyfour of the best burghers should be assembled at the Town-house, in order to select a third of their number to take upon them the civil government of the place. Eachof the twenty wards is to furnish a guard of 60 men; so that 1200 of the best Burghers will be intrusted with the care of the city, and the manage ment of the police. The Emperor said to Prince Hatzfeldt, "Do not appear in my presence, I have no need of your services: retire to your estates." The Emperor gave audience to the Chancellor and the Ministers of the King of Prussia, In giving instructions to the Civil Administration of the city, the Emperor said, "I will not suffer any windows to be broken. My brother the King of Prussia ceased to be a King from the day when Prince Louis Ferdinand was bold enough to break the windows of his Majesty's Ministers. His Majesty should have ordered him to be hanged." The Grand Duke of Berg, Marshal Lannes, and the Prince of Ponte Corvo, are pursuing Prince Hohenlohe. After the gallant affair with the cavalry at Zehdenick, the Grand Duke of Berg advanced to Templin, where he found a great quantity of provisions, and the dinners for the Prussian Generals and their troops ready dressed. From what we can collect from the German accounts, the remains of the Prussian army, after the battle of Jena, were collected in two divisions, the one under the command of Prince Hohenlohe, estimated at 30,000 men; the other, of nearly an equal force, under the Dukes of Weimar and Brunswick Oels; the object of both, of course, was to gain the Oder, and to interpose that river between them and their pursuers. The part of the Prussian army, under the Dukes of Weimar and Brunswick Oels, crossed the Elbe at Tangermunde and Sandau, on the 26th and 27th Oct. They were much incommoded in their march by the French, who had crossed at Dessau and Wittenberg on the 29th, and there are reports in the Hamburgh Papers of this part of the Prussian army having been beaten at Plauen and Gustrow, and that its retreat to the Oder having been found impracticable, it had withdrawn towards Swedish Pomerania. The fortress of Magdeburg remains blockaded by the corps under General Ney. The fortress of Spandau surrendered to the French, by capitulation, on the 25th Oct. The King and Queen of Prussia, according to some accounts, had retired behind the Vistula, but other accounts say that his Majesty was at Breslau, whither he had gone to meet the Russians, of whose motions we have no ac curate accounts. It is further stated on the authority of letters from the North of Germany that the Duke of Brunswick had been deposed by Bonaparte, and his title and territory given to Marshal Soult. This is all. but confirmed. The reception which the Duke's request of protection for his States met with, leaves little room doubt of Bonaparte's intentions. After a torrent of insulting language to his officer, Napoleon signified that "if the House of Brunswick lose the sovereignty of its ancestors, it can only be ascribed to the author of two wars." The venerable Duke (he is now in his 72d year,) was at the date of the last accounts, very ill, and blind of both eves. The court of Denmark, apprehensive of the resentment of Bonaparte, is said to have expressed a wish that he should leave Holstein, and it was supposed that he would seek an asylum in England. M. Malraison, principally charged |
