@Huapollon A rout is a disorderly retreat. And it's still a choice, not a consequence (the invidual soldier will make that choice ).
I am not sure about the Napoleonic Era practice, but targeting the commander to end the fight (also for ransom) was popular in the Medieval. Apparently, there is...
The part "If I die, who's going to order the retreat?" is not true. Army needs a commander to fight on, they don't need one to retreat.
The right answer to that question is "Your head would suffice as a retreat order."