—­[The complaints of Bernadotte’s conduct on the 14th of October 1806. when he gave no assistance to Davoust in repulsing the main body of the Prussians at Aneratadt, are well known.  Jomini says that Davoust proposed to Bernadotte to march with him, and even offered him the command of the two corps.  Bernadotte refused, and marched away to Dornburg, where he was of no use, “his obstinacy, difficult to explain, nearly compromised both Davoust and the success of the battle;” See also Thiers (tome vii. p. 172), who attributes Bernadotte’s conduct to a profound aversion for Davoust conceived on the most frivolous grounds.  Bernadotte had frequently given cause of complaint to Napoleon in the two campaigns of 1806 and 1806.  In the movement on Vienna Napoleon considered he showed want of activity and of zeal.  These complaints seem to have been made in good faith, for in a letter to Bernadotte’s brother-in-law, Joseph, Napoleon suggests that health may have been the causes (Du Cases, tome i. p. 322).  Bernadotte was equally unfortunate in putting in his appearance too late at Eylan (see Due de Rovigo’s Memoirs, tome ii. p. 48), and also incurred the displeasure of Napoleon at Wagram (see later on).]—­

In the beginning of November the Swedes entered Lubeck; but on the 8th of that month the town was taken by assault, and the Swedes, as well as the rest of the corps which had escaped from Jena, were made prisoners.

A troop of Prussians had advanced within four leagues of Hamburg, and that town had already prepared for a vigorous resistance, in case they should attempt an entrance, when Major Amiel attacked them at Zollenspieker and made some prisoners.  Hamburg was, however, threatened with another danger, for Major Amiel expressed his intention of entering with all his prisoners, notwithstanding the acknowledged neutrality of the town.  Amiel was a partisan leader in the true sense of the word; he fought rather on his own account than with the intention of contributing to the success of the operations of the army.  His troop did not consist of more than forty men, but that was more than sufficient to spread terror and devastation in the surrounding villages.  He was a bold fellow, and when, with his handful of men, he threw himself upon Hamburg, the worthy inhabitants thought he had 20,000 troops with him.  He had pillaged every place through which he passed, and brought with him 300 prisoners, and a great many horses he had taken on his road.  It was night when he presented himself at the gates of the city, which he entered alone, having left his men and booty at the last village.  He proceeded to the French Embassy.  I was not there at the time, but I was sent for, and about seven o’clock in the evening I had my first interview with the Major.  He was the very, beau ideal of a bandit, and would have been an admirable model for a painter.  I was not at all surprised to hear that on his arrival his wild appearance and huge mustachios