Meanwhile, in March 1813, the Allied armies decided to attack French forces in Magdeburg so that they could then cross the River Elbe and advance westwards.

After the French received information of the advance, about 30,000 men left Magdeburg under viceroy Eugène on 2 April 1813 and crossed the Elbe, setting up his headquarters in Königsborn.

Messages also began to arrive stating that the French wished to withdraw to Magdeburg and so Wittgenstein gave the command to attack on 5 April.

First general Hünerbein with two Yorkschen Corps marching in from the south came upon the French near Dannigkow, leading to stubborn resistance and house-to-house fighting.

This was impeded wide swampy area that lay between the two forces, meaning the soldiers had to wade across in places with the water up to breast height.