In the meantime the Neapolitan army was rebuilt in Capua under Marshal Giosuè Ritucci, the first skirmishes with Garibaldi's volunteers occurring on the 26 and 29 September.

On 30 September a Neapolitan corps crossed the River Volturno at Triflisco, marching towards Santa Maria a Vologno, but was halted by two Garibaldine brigades.

The following day Ritucci then decided on a frontal attack with two divisions against Garibaldi's centre, which occupied a line running from Sant'Angelo in Formis and Santa Maria a Vico.

Garibaldi wanted to cross the Volturno, keeping the Neapolitan Army against Capua, while he prevented King Francis II from reaching Gaeta.

The Southern Army placed Capua under siege, and the Piedmontese forces marched on Gaeta where the erstwhile Neapolitan king had taken refuge.