Battles & Campaigns · 1806
Battle of Halle
Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
What happened
Three days after the Prussian defeats at Jena and Auerstedt, Bernadotte's corps marched north and met the Prussian Reserve at Halle. The French seized the covered bridges on the city's west side, fought through the streets and market place, and drove the Prussians out to the north-east.
Why it matters
The Prussian Reserve had been one of the few Prussian forces still intact west of the Elbe. It was badly broken.
What came next
The survivors crossed the Elbe and reached Magdeburg two days later. Napoleon later blamed Bernadotte for missing Auerstedt, but took no action against him.
Did you know?
Napoleon reportedly said: 'Bernadotte hesitates at nothing, one day the Gascon will get caught.'
Timeline
- 14 Oct 1806Battles of Jena and Auerstedt.
- 17 Oct 1806Battle of Halle.
- 19 Oct 1806Prussian survivors reach Magdeburg.