Over his head streamed the crucifix-emblazoned banner, with its memorable inscription--In hoc signo vici Turcos, in hoc Haereticos vincam.
Small detachments of cavalry had been sent forward; under Olivera and Acosta, to scour the roads and forests, and to disturb all ambuscades which might have been prepared.

From some stragglers captured by these officers, the plans of the retreating generals were learned.

The winter's day was not far advanced, when the rearward columns of the states' army were descried in the distance.

Don John, making a selection of some six hundred cavalry, all picked men, with a thousand infantry, divided the whole into two bodies, which he placed under command of Gonzaga and the famous old Christopher Mondragon.

These officers received orders to hang on the rear of the enemy, to harass him, and to do him all possible damage consistent with the possibility of avoiding a general engagement, until the main army under Parma and Don John should arrive.