A demoralized Prussian force of 4,200 surrendered to a smaller French cavalry force, illustrating the collapse of Prussian resistance after Jena-Auerstedt.
Key Facts
- Prussian troops surrendered
- 4,200 soldiers
- Date of capitulation
- 29 October 1806
- Distance north of Berlin
- 110 kilometers
- French force composition
- Two light cavalry brigades
- Preceding engagement
- Battle of Prenzlau, 28 October 1806
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following their decisive defeat at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, Prussian forces under Oberst von Hagen had been retreating east for two weeks. The retreat left the troops completely demoralized and disorganized, making them vulnerable to interception by pursuing French cavalry.
On 29 October 1806, Hagen's column of 4,200 Prussians was caught between two French light cavalry brigades commanded by Generals Milhaud and Lasalle near Pasewalk. Without attempting a breakout, Hagen surrendered his force to the numerically inferior French cavalry.
The capitulation at Pasewalk followed a similar surrender at Prenzlau the previous day. Within a week, two Prussian fortresses capitulated without firing a shot and numerous other Prussian columns were hunted down, reflecting the near-total disintegration of organized Prussian resistance in the campaign.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Oberst von Hagen.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Édouard Jean Baptiste Milhaud, General Antoine Lasalle.