For three days the troops laboured incessantly; on the third night the enemy were heard approaching.

The advanced troopers and a half company of infantry were driven in, contesting every foot of the way.

When they reached the walls heavy volleys were poured in by the musketeers who lined them upon the approaching enemy, and Tilly, supposing that Gustavus must have moved forward a considerable portion of his army, called off his troops and marched away to Nuremberg.

Two days later Hepburn was ordered to return with his force to Wurtzburg.
The king now broke up his camp near Wurtzburg, and leaving a garrison in the castle of Marienburg and appointing Marshal Horn to hold Franconia with 8000 men, he marched against Frankfort-on-the-Maine, his troops capturing all the towns and castles on the way, levying contributions, and collecting great booty.

Frankfort opened its gates without resistance, and for a short time the army had rest in pleasant quarters.
The regiments were reorganized, in some cases two of those which had suffered most being joined into one.