A fortnight after the fortifications of Marienburg were completed, Colonel Schlippenbach sent off Lieutenant Colonel Brandt, with four hundred horse, to capture a magazine at Seffwegen, to which the Saxons had forced the inhabitants of the country round to bring in their corn, intending later to convey it to the headquarters of their army.

The expedition was completely successful.

The Saxon guard were overpowered, and a thousand tons of corn were brought, in triumph, into Marienburg.

Some of it was sent on to the army, abundance being retained for the use of the town and garrison, in case of siege.
It was now resolved to surprise and burn Pitschur, a town on the frontier from which the enemy constantly made incursions.

It was held by a strong body of Russians.
Baron Spens was in command of the expedition.