 The French Army of the Moselle set off from its camp on the Saar in three columns on the morning of 17 November.Whilst two of the columns continued to Tholey and St. Ingbert, the third and strongest column turned towards Biesingen, where von Kalckreuth blocked the route between Biesingen and Blieskastel.The battle opened with heavy French artillery fire against the Prussian centre on the Hilscheider heights.