Mariazell is located in the Austrian province of Styria, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of St. Pölten.

The advance guard, led by Étienne Heudelet de Bierre, overwhelmed their demoralized enemies, capturing about half of them.

The 1805 war began with the Ulm Campaign, which was disastrous for Austria, with only the corps of Michael von Kienmayer and Franz Jellacic escaping envelopment by the Grande Armée of Napoleon.

As Kienmayer's columns fled to the east, they joined with elements of the Russian Empire's army in a rear guard action at the Battle of Amstetten on 5 November.

The Austrian soldiers, their morale shaken by continuous retreating, were routed after a brief struggle.