Bernadotte failed to get to Dornburg when he was ordered to do so. And the order stated that if he was with Davout he was to march with him. That part of
the order, which superseded the order to Dornburg because the situation had changed, was neglected and ignored by Bernadotte who refused to support
Davout, one of the points being that Bernadotte refused to march behind Davout since he commanded I Corps and Davout III Corps.

Bernadotte played the marplot on 13-14 October 1806 and the evidence seems to point to deliberate disobedience of orders. Napoleon's 23 October letter
certainly points that way.

Kevin:
The order didn't direct Bernadotte to march with Davout. It was written to Davout stating that Bernadotte COULD march with him, [implied 'part way as the Dornburg was in a different direction.'] but that Bernadotte was expected to be in Dornburg... which is why Bernadotte marched there.

Napoleon's 23 October letter states clearly that Dornburg was where Bernadotte SHOULD have been. Bernadotte Marched to Dornburg, so his 'disobedience' involves the slow march, nothing more, deliberate or not. I see no 'change of situation' at that point in time to either justify or require him to ingore what directions he had. Napoleon certainly didn't see it that way before or after October 14th.

It is not clear at all what you base your judgments on regarding either the 'change of situation' or why Bernadotte *should* have ignored Napoleon's direction and followed Davout. Again, you are simply repeating opinions already stated and the evidence--even Napoleon's letter you provided--doesn't support your supposition.

Bill