General Schlangenberg, the second in command, at once assumed the command.

The Dutch rallied speedily from their surprise, and the advancing columns of the enemy were soon met with a desperate resistance.

In front General Boufflers attacked with twenty battalions of French troops, headed by the grenadiers he had brought with him, while a strong Spanish force barred the retreat.
Under such circumstances many troops would at once have laid down their arms; but such a thought never occurred to the Dutchmen of Schlangenberg's army.
While a portion of this force opposed Boufflers' troops pressing on their front, the rest threw themselves against those who barred their retreat to Fort Lille.

Never was there more desperate fighting.

Nowhere could ground have been selected more unsuited for a battlefield.
It was by the roads alone running upon the dykes above the general level of the country the troops could advance or retreat, and it was upon these that the heads of the heavy columns struggled for victory.
There was little firing.