Within a few breaths after the new alliance being sealed and subscribed between King Gustavus Adolphus and the Elector of Saxony, the King gave orders to this army to cross the Elbe at Wittenberg, thence to link with the Saxon army.

The Swedish army made its first camp in Saxony near Duben, where the men spent the night on plowed ground. Their appearance the following morning:

“…they were so dusty, they looked like Kitchin-servants, with their uncleanely Rags, within which were hidden courageous hearts…”

pg. 189: Robert Munro, Munro His expedition with the Worthy Scots Regiment (Called MacKeyes Regiment)

That afternoon the Saxon army joined them. The contrast between the two sets of men was conspicuous:

“…the Duke and his Armie, which for pleasing the eye, was the most complete little Armie, for personages of men, comely statures, well armed, and well arraide, that ever mine eyes did looke on, whose Officers did all looke, as if they were going in their best Apparell and Armes to be painted; where nothing was defective the eye could behold.”

pg. 189: Robert Munro, Munro His expedition with the Worthy Scots Regiment (Called MacKeyes Regiment)

The Saxons reacted:

“…yet these Saxons gentry, in their bravery, did judge of us and ours, according to our out-sides, thinking little of us; nevertheless, we thought not the worse of our selves.”

pg. 189: Robert Munro, Munro His expedition with the Worthy Scots Regiment (Called MacKeyes Regiment)

The next day the joined host proceeded south. The King had received intelligence that the Imperial-Leaguist army was a mile north of Leipzig and making ready to fight; Gustavus Adolphus was eager to test them. That evening he had his men eat, then sleep in the field in their battle formations, with watches strengthened and the baggage train ordered to return to Duben.

“As the Larke begunne to peepe” the following morning, the Swedes were rousted from their sleep by trumpets and drums to resume their march south, still in battle formation and without breakfast. The sun was in their eyes and the dusty wind in their faces. They came to the Lober Bach – and there made first contact with the enemy.