Historical Note
Fought on October 16, 1806 between elements of Kalkreuth's fragmented command and part of Soult's IV Corps. Kalkreuth's force of about 12,000 men were trying to withdraw and rejoin the main army when they encountered Soult's cavalry at about noon near Greußen (Greussen).
Soult demanded that the Prussians surrender and Kalkreuth was inclined to do so, but Tauentzien and Blucher refused. To buy time Kalkreuth started negotiations by stating that Napoleon and the Prussian King were discussing the terms of an armistice, so Soult should allow them to continue their march.
Soult negotiated until 4:00pm when his infantry arrived, then he then attacked. The Prussians used a couple of light battalions as their rear guard and managed to withdraw all of their troops over the Helde Stream.
Although Soult was now reinforced by Sahuc's 4th Division of Dragoons his force was exhausted from marching all day. He called off the pursuit and planned to continue it early the next day
Reserve Corps Commander : Generalleutnant Friedrich Adolf Graf von Kalkreuth :
Your command has been joined by two other Divisions under Tauentzien and Blucher. You have been trying
to save this force since the disasters two days ago at Jena and Auerstadt. As you approached Greußen
(Greussen) at about noon on October 16th, 1806, Soult came forward with some cavalry and asked you to
surrender.
You started negotiations with Soult at about 1:00pm. Although you wanted to surrender, Tauentzien and
Blucher refused to comply. You informed Soult that your King and the French Emperor are presently
talking about an armistice, so no further hostile actions should take place. Earlier in the day
both Klein and LaSalle had agreed to allow you to proceed so he should do the same.
It's now 3:00pm and so far Soult has not agreed to anything, but you sense he is hostile.
What orders are you now giving to your commanders?
For a detailed Prussian and Saxon Orders of Battle click HERE.
Commander IV Corps : Maréchal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult :
Upon approaching Greußen (Greussen) at about noon with your cavalry you discovered a Prussian force
moving across your front. It is now 3:00pm on October 16,1806, (two days after the great victories of
Jena and Auerstadt)and you have been discussing terms of surrender with the Prussians (Kalkreuth)
since 1:00pm.
The Prussians claim the Emperor and the Prussian King are presently discussing an
armistice so no further hostile actions should take place. Earlier in the day Generals of Division
Klein and LaSalle gave the Prussians safe passage and request you should do the same.
With only your cavalry present you know you could not stop them but now your infantry is in
sight of the field, what are their orders?
For a detailed French Order of Battle click HERE.
Greußen (Greussen) Map :
After Action Report
Kalkreuth knew he had to continue his withdrawal so he ordered Arnim to act as the rear guard while the rest of the army withdrew.
Soult ordered his infantry up the road to Greussen while his cavalry would try and pin the Prussian column moving past Ottenhausen.
The three Prussian columns each had their own bridge to cross so only Tauenzien's troops encountered any problems when they were attacked from behind by Soult's infantry. Arnim's troops were badly mauled before they were able to withdraw. The Queens Dragoons suffered the most as they were the ultimate rear guard.
Although both sides had very good plans and executed their orders well the French get the nod for the win only because they were lucky enough to inflict severe casualties with very little loss to themselves.
