Before passing the bridge of the Elster Napoleon had directed Poniatowski, in concert with Marshal Macdonald, to cover and protect the retreat, and to defend that part of the suburb of Leipsic which is nearest to the Borne road.  For the execution of these orders he had only 2000 Polish infantry.  He was in this desperate situation when he saw the French columns in full retreat and the bridge so choked up with their artillery and waggons that there was no possibility of passing it.  Then drawing his sword, and turning to the officers who were near him, he said, “Here we must fall with honour!” At the head of a small party of cuirassiers and Polish officers he rushed on the columns of the Allies.  In this action he received a ball in his left arm:  he had already been wounded on the 14th and 16th.  He nevertheless advanced, but he found the suburb filled with Allied troops.

—­[The Allies were so numerous that they scarcely perceived the losses they sustained.  Their masses pressed down upon us in every direction, and it was impossible that victory could fail to be with them.  Their success, however, would have been less decisive had it not been for the defection of the Saxons.  In the midst of the battle, these troops having moved towards the enemy, as if intending to make an attack, turned suddenly around, and opened a heavy fire of artillery and musketry on the columns by the aids of which they had a few moments before been fighting.  I do not know to what page of history such a transaction is recorded.  This event immediately produced a great difference in our affairs, which were before in a bad enough train.  I ought here mention that hefore the battle the Emperor dismissed a Bavarian division which still remained with him.  He spoke to the officers in terms which will not soon be effaced from their memory.  He told them, that, “according to the laws of war, they were his prisoners, since their Government had taken part against him; but that he could not forget the services they had rendered him, and that they were therefore at liberty to return home.”  These troops left the army, where they were much esteemed, and marched for Bavaria.]—­

He fought his way through them and received another wound.  He then threw himself into the Pleisse, which was the first river he came to.  Aided by his officers, he gained the opposite bank, leaving his horse in the river.  Though greatly exhausted he mounted another, and gained the Elster, by passing through M. Reichenbach’s garden, which was situated on the side of that river.  In spite of the steepness of the banks of the Elster at that part, the Prince plunged with his horse into the river:  both man and horse were drowned, and the same fate was shared by several officers who followed Poniatawski’s example.  Marshal Macdonald was, luckily, one of those who escaped.  Five days after a fisherman drew the body of the Prince, out of the water.  On the 26th of October it was temporarily interred