This battle was an attempt by Ernst von Mansfeld to cross the Dessau bridge [de] in order to invade the headquarters of the Imperial Army in Magdeburg, Germany.

The Count of Tilly wanted control of the bridge in order to prevent King Christian IV of Denmark from having access to Kassel and to protect the Lower Saxon Circle.

[2] Part of the Imperial Army, under the command of Johann von Aldringen, had time to prepare heavy artillery and troops for any Protestant threat advancing down the Elbe.

[citation needed] In Vienna, there was talk of Wallenstein's deposition from his army and replacement by the Italian Count Collalto, an expert in the art of mercenary leadership.

Aldringen and his men arrived first, thus allowing them to form their "death trap" at the Dessau Bridge, deploying the heavy artillery which they possessed.