Eylau: Precis Des Travaux de la Grande Armée
Capitulation of the Saxon Corps to Marshal Soult: 29 October 1806
GRAND ARMY.
Fourth Corps.
Within the general district of Rathnau, October 26, 1806.
H. E. M. Marshal of the Empire Soult, commanding as Head the fourth corps of the grand army, taking in confident consideration with which the Saxon troops, named hereafter, came to him, and the declaration that the principal officers of these troops made to him, coming as it did from the intimate friendship that there exists between H. M. the Emperor of the French and King of Italy and H. A. the Elector of Saxony, a situation which makes it impossible to doubt that peace has not already been restored between the two powers,
Authorizes these Saxon troops to be withdrawn to Dessau carrying with them the promise that they made on word of honor not to carry weapons during the current war, or until perfect exchange against the armies of H. M. the Emperor and King, nor against those of the allies, if the situation in question does not really exist.
S. E. M. Marshal, invites the military authorities of the Grand Army to let pass freely these corps of Saxon troops and to lend assistance to them.
They will hold the following route:
Leaving the 29 from Rathnau, going the same day to Bamme; 30, in Brandebourg; 31, in Belzig; November 1, at Dessau, the provisional destination.
M. the commander of this corps will pay attention to precede in these places by passage of an officer who will announce its arrival.
This corps is made up as follows; to know:
Detachment of the regiment 15 officers, 124 warrant officers and soldiers, and 117 horses. Detachment of Prince Albert, 14 officers, 134 warrant officers and soldiers, and 128 horses. Detachment of Prince Clément, 18 officers, 173 warrant officers and soldiers, and 168 horses. Detachment of cuirassiers of Kochlihki, 3 officers, 60 warrant officers and soldiers, and 54 horses. Detachment of Polentz, 1 warrant officer, and 2 horses. Detachment of carabiniers, 4 warrant officers and soldiers and 4 horses. Detachment of hussars, 14 warrant officers and soldiers, and 9 horses. Corps of the Engineers, 1 officer, 3 warrant officers and soldiers, and 2 horses. Flying artillery detachment, 2 warrant officers and soldiers, and 2 horses. Total, 51 officers, 515 warrant officers and soldiers, and 486 horses.
In Rathnau, the year and day above.
By order of M. marshal,
Signed, the brigadier general, Chief of Staff-major-General.
Within the general district of Rathnau, October 29, 1806.
We the undersigned, officers of any rank belonging to various detachments composing the crops of Saxon troops, who, in the close friendship that there exists between H. M. the Emperor of the French and King of Italy, and H. A. the Elector of Saxony, a case that does not allow doubt that the peace is not already restored, between these two powers, went to the army corps commanded by H. E M. Marshal of the Empire Soult, on the request for H. E., and in case of the good reasons on which it based it, lets us accept the authorization which they agreed to grant to us to withdraw to be later as appointed by H. A. prince of Neufchâtel and Vallengin, minister of the war, with the commitment made by us to compel us, indeed as we gave on our word of honor, for us and our subordinates, to no longer carry weapons against the troops of H. M. the Emperor and King and those of these allies: if against our persuasion, the above mentioned case does not really exist, we begin moreover, in this case, with handing-over of our weapons and our horses; our engagement will cease in the case of peace or perfect exchange.
In witness whereof, we signed the present promise at Rathnau, the year and day above
Signed, WEDIES CHRISTOPHE BARNER, colonel and Saxon commander of cavalry detachments.
Following are the signatures of all the officers of the different bodies included/understood in the capitulation.
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