Marshal Broglie detached M.de Castries to protect the city.

The French corps had just arrived; it was bivouacking.

On the night between the 15th and 16th of October, Chevalier d'Assas, captain in the regiment of Auvergne, was sent to reconnoitre.

He had advanced some distance from his men, and happened to stumble upon a large force of the enemy.

The Prince of Brunswick was preparing to attack.