He therefore marched to join the reinforcements, and the two armies met at Spires on the 2nd of July.
As before, Enghien was in supreme command, with de Gramont as his lieutenant general.

Long conferences took place between these generals: Turenne, General Geis, who commanded the Hessians, and Konigsmark, who commanded the Swedes.

The Bavarians were known to be very strongly posted, and to have been reinforced by four thousand Imperialists under the command of General Geis.
There was much difference of opinion between them as to the best course to be pursued, but Enghien, who was always in favour of great battles, finally determined so to place the army that the enemy would be forced to come out and fight.

He therefore marched to Venecher, captured Wimpfen, and threw a bridge across the river, whereupon General Merci fell back twenty leagues into Franconia.

As soon as they had passed the river an occurrence took place that threatened to overthrow all the plans of the campaign.