Luxembourg was near Tournai and sent out a reconnaissance under Marsilly, from whom he learned that the main body of the Allied army was retreating, leaving a rear-guard of cavalry, consisting of just 3,000 men, under the Count of Tilly at Leuze.
Luxembourg sent a reconnaissance mission under Marsilly to Tournai, which revealed that the Allied forces were withdrawing. This left a small rear guard of cavalry, numbering just 3,000 soldiers, led by Count Tilly at Leuze.