about midnight
General von Brandis , Colonel Dammers , and all the non-military gentlemen strongly supported the king 's opinion . Colonel Cordemann , the chief of the general staff , insisted strongly that the army , in consequence of its exhausting marches and scanty food , could not possibly undertake offensive movements , and that their course was to take up a defensive position , and make a courageous defence if attacked . The whole of the general staff agreed with the chief , and the general in command stated that under existing circumstances he could not be responsible for the consequences of an onward march . The king gave his consent to the dispositions agreed upon with a sigh , but he declared that he would pass the night amongst his troops , and about midnight , accompanied by the whole of his suite , their royal master established himself amongst his soldiers for the night . The royal bivouac was in a corn-field near to Merxleben , and everyone listened with anxious expectation until the morning dawned . All was quiet . The outposts sent in no news of any movement on the part of the enemy .