26. A Prussian General’s Oops Moment
General von Romberg refused to surrender, vowing to defend Stettin to the last man. An hour later, Lasalle’s emissary returned, this time with a more ominous message: “If by 8 AM you have not surrendered, the town will be bombarded by our artillery and stormed by 50,000 men. The garrison will be put to the sword, and the town will be plundered for 24 hours“. An alarmed von Romberg consulted with the town leaders, who urged capitulation. That night, the details of the surrender were negotiated and finalized. The following morning, the garrison marched out in perfect order, and filed past the French to throw their arms down at their feet in a steadily growing pile.
Von Romberg had his oops moment when he discovered just how tiny the French force he had surrendered to was. It was too late, however, and he had little choice but to stick to the negotiated agreement. Lasalle became a national hero, while von Romberg became a laughingstock. The Prussian general was court-martialed in 1809, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment for surrendering without a fight. He died two months later.
