After conquering three Hungarian urban districts (including two county capitals), the undefeated North Army was ordered to withdraw due to events outside its control, after inflicting heavier losses than those it had incurred.

Part of General Arthur Arz von Straussenburg's 1st Army, it was weak and battered during battles against the Russians, the division amounting to only 3,555 men.

Two regiments from the 15th Brigade of the 8th Division seized Kézdivásárhely (Târgu Secuiesc) on 29 August, the Romanian forces arriving in time to destroy the last train leaving the town.

One brigade kept the Romanians largely east of Borszék (Borsec) while gendarmes held their own in the Kelemen (Călimani) Mountains.

For the most part, however, Austro-Hungarian soldiers along the border limped towards the Transylvanian interior, accompanied by hordes of German and Hungarian refugees.

Having shouldered aside the 16th Honvéd Brigade at Gyergyószentmiklós, the 14th Division reached the eastern edges of the salt-mining town of Parajd (Praid) on 11 September.

By late September, the I Reserve Corps under the command of the German General Curt von Morgen, had joined the Austro-Hungarians in their fight against the Romanian North Army.

Despite stubborn Austro-Hungarian resistance, it continued to inch forward throughout the following week, advancing to within six miles of Szászrégen (Reghin) and securing the heights above Parajd by early October.

In early October, the Romanian General Staff issued orders for the retreat of the North Army, due to the events unfolding in the region of Dobruja.

[11] The furthest advance of the Romanian North Army was achieved on 3 October, following an offensive beyond Székelykeresztúr (Cristuru Secuiesc).

[4] The town of Kézdivásárhely (Târgu Secuiesc) was the Transylvanian urban settlement that was held by the Romanians during the Battle of Transylvania for the longest.

On 8 and 9 October, as the Battle of Brassó was drawing to a close, two Romanian units retreated from the north and northwest and formed a defensive perimeter around Kézdivásárhely.

The 6/9 Mountain artillery battery was subsequently attached to the VII Battalion, and the reinforced unit was sent to engage the Romanians alongside local gendarmes.

The Austro-Hungarians attacked on 17 September, and initially made good progress, until the 27th Company ran into a trap and lost 44 of its men as prisoners.

[1]: 54–55 After 14 October, when the fighting in the Uz and Oituz Passes commenced, the Romanians overall held their ground, inflicting reverses and serious losses.