The troops of Zürich, with Habsburg reinforcements, met the attacking confederates on the Sihlfeld north of St. Jakob on 21 July.

The confederation army, which numbered about 6,000 men, was met by Zürich's disorganized troops and about 500 Austrian knights.

The commander of the Habsburg forces, Albrecht Freiherr von Bussnang, was killed behind the altar of the St. Jakob chapel.

[citation needed] This account, which emphasizes the burgomaster's bravery, is considered Zürich propaganda by historians.

[2] Additional accounts from Zürich chronicles state that the city was saved by the gatekeeper's wife, one Anna Ziegler, who managed to lower the portcullis of the Rennweg gate just as the pursuing confederates were about to enter the city.