AuerstadtOctober 14, 1806

Fierce fighting developed around Hassenhausen, with the French hanging on by their fingernails. The aged Prussian commander, Marshal Brunswick was killed in this fighting, which proved to be possibly the single most important event in the battle. The King of Prussia, the unmilitary Frederick William III, was present on the field, but had the additional misfortune to also lose his military advisor, Marshal Mollendorf (who was captured). Refusing to appoint a successor to Brunswick, but not really seizing control him-self, Kaiser Frederick left the Prussian army essentially leaderless. Seizing the moment, Marshal Davout counterattacked with vigor, finally driving the confused, poorly led, and demoralized Prussians from the field. French losses came to almost 8,000, while Prussian losses totaled about 15,000.