In mid-February 1656, Swedish army under King Charles X Gustav camped near a village of Golab, located in northern Lesser Poland, near the confluence of the Wieprz and Vistula rivers.

According to Polish historian Leszek Podhorecki, King Charles Gustav, after finding out about anti-Swedish insurrection in southern Lesser Poland, decided to move his army there.

The Swedes crossed the Pilica river on 12 February, forcing Czarniecki to withdraw behind the Vistula, and camp near Golab.

Swedish front guard, under General Horn and Count Valdemar Christian of Schleswig-Holstein opened fire, moving forwards.

The skirmish near Gołębie proved the talent of Czarniecki, who skillfully exploited Charles Gustav's mistakes and successively attacked the divided Swedish forces.