Additionally, there were also reports of Danish negotiations with the Holy Roman Empire and planning an anti-Swedish coalition between it, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Tsardom of Russia.

[1] In his plan, Oxenstierna wanted to neutralize the Danish threat to Sweden, and he outlined it according to the campaign strategy Gustavus Adolphus made in Stettin in 1630.

At the same time, a corps of 2,200 men (2,000 infantry and 200 cavalry) under the command of Colonel Erik Hansson Ulfsparre would attack southern Zealand.

Along with this, Field Marshal Gustav Horn would invade Scania, after which he would ship his troops over to Copenhagen and unite with Torstensson, forcing Christian IV to surrender.

[5] After receiving the order to attack Denmark in early October, Torstensson quickly prepared defences on the Bohemian and Moravian borders, and marched towards the north-west, refraining from informing his officers of their destination.

[6][5] The army Torstensson brought consisted of around 12,000 national troops, and adding the officers and underofficers, it had a total strength of around 16,000 experienced men.

[7][5][8] Along with the army, Torstensson brought with him three generals, Carl Gustaf Wrangel, Mortaigne de Potelles, and Arvid Wittenberg, each commanding their own column in the Swedish march.

[17] In the battle of Kolding on 9 January, Torstensson encountered a 1,400 strong Danish free cavalry corps under Friedrich von Buchwald, with these being quickly dispersed by Robert Douglas.