Napoleon arrived at Jena on the 18th of October, 1806, and soon divined that it was the intention of the Prussians to fight on the morrow.

Giving orders to Davoust and Bernadotte, and not waiting for the guard, which were thirty hours’ march away, he determined on beginning the attack himself.

Lannes ranged his corps on a plateau in front of Jena, which the Prussians had unwisely neglected to occupy. Lefebvre and the Imperial Guard formed in a square upon the summit, and Napoleon bivouaced in the midst of his troops.

He offered rewards for every piece of artillery that was dragged on to the plateau, and reminded his men that the Prussians were fighting for their lives—and not for honor; and that if hard pressed they were sure to be entirely routed. Such was the result; 20,000 Prussians were either killed or taken prisoners, among them twenty generals; 300 guns, and sixty standards were part also of the spoil.