The vanguard was under the charge of the Netherland General, Marquis of Renty.

The battalia was commanded by Farnese in person, and the rearguard was entrusted to that veteran Netherlander, La Motte, now called the Count of Everbeck.

Twenty pieces of artillery followed the last division.

At Valenciennes Farnese remained eight days, and from this place Count Charles Mansfeld took his departure in a great rage--resigning his post as chief of artillery because La Motte had received the appointment of general-marshal of the camp--and returned to his father, old Peter Ernest Mansfeld, who was lieutenant-governor of the Netherlands in Parma's absence.
Leaving Valenciennes on the 11th, the army proceeded by way of Quesney, Guise, Soissons, Fritemilon to Meaux.

At this place, which is ten leagues from Paris, Farnese made his junction, on the 22nd of August, with Mayenne, who was at the head of six thousand infantry--one half of them Germans under Cobalto, and the other half French--and of two thousand horse.
On arriving at Meaux, Alexander proceeded straightway to the cathedral, and there, in presence of all, he solemnly swore that he had not come to France in order to conquer that kingdom or any portion of it, in the interests of his master, but only to render succour to the Catholic cause and to free the friends and confederates of his Majesty from violence and heretic oppression.