His rear, consisting of about 10,000, under the command of the celebrated General Blucher, were so far behind as to render it possible for them to attempt escape.

Their heroic leader traversed the country with them for some time unbroken, and sustained a variety of assaults, from far superior numbers, with the most obstinate resolution.

By degrees, however, the French, under Soult, hemmed him in on one side, Murat on the other, and Bernadotte appeared close behind him.

He was thus forced to throw himself into Lubeck, where a severe action was fought in the streets of the town, on the 6th of November.

The Prussian, in this battle, lost 4000 prisoners, besides the slain and wounded: he retreated to Schwerta, and there, it being impossible for him to go farther without violating the neutrality of Denmark, on the morning of the 7th, Blucher at length laid down his arms--having exhibited a specimen of conduct and valour such as certainly had not been displayed by any of his superiors in the campaign.
The strong fortresses of the Prussian monarchy made as ineffectual resistance as the armies in the field.