Battles & Campaigns · 1806
Battle of Saalfeld
Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany
What happened
It was one of the opening clashes of the war between France and Prussia. Lannes sent troops through the woods to get around the allied right, then attacked. The Prussian-Saxon cavalry was surrounded, the army broke up, and Prince Louis Ferdinand fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Prussian-Saxon advance force was destroyed as a fighting force. It was an early sign of the French victories to come.
What came next
Four days later, Napoleon's army beat the Prussians and Saxons at Jena and Auerstedt.
Did you know?
Prince Louis Ferdinand was also a gifted musician, and Beethoven dedicated his Third Piano Concerto to him.
Timeline
- 10 October 1806Battle of Saalfeld; Prince Louis Ferdinand is killed.
- 14 October 1806Battles of Jena and Auerstedt.
- 1842 CELiszt writes an Élégie on Louis Ferdinand's themes.