Other nobles came in, as the winter broke, with bodies of their retainers.
The southern Huguenot leaders, known as the Viscounts, remained in Guyenne to protect the Protestant districts.

The plan of Conde and the Admiral was to effect a junction with them, and then to march and meet the army of the Duc de Deux-Ponts.

They therefore left Niort, which had for some time been their headquarters, and marched south towards Cognac; while the Duc d'Anjou moved in the same direction.
Both armies reached the river Charente at the same time, but upon opposite sides.

The Royalists seized the town of Chateau Neuf, halfway between Jarnac and Cognac; and set to work to repair the bridge, which had been broken down by the Huguenots.

Their main army marched down to Cognac, and made a pretence of attacking the town.
The Huguenots were spread over a long line; and the Admiral, seeing the danger of being attacked while so scattered, sent to Conde, who commanded the most advanced part of the army opposite Chateau Neuf, begging him to retire.