 On learning of the fate of Düring at Boxtel, the Duke of York ordered Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby to recover the town with a sizable force.The task was given to the Guards Brigade and the 3rd Brigade, which consisted of the 12th (Suffolk) Regiment, 33rd (1st West Riding) Regiment, 42nd Royal Highland Regiment and the 44th (East Essex) Regiment – two brigades of ten battalions in total, supported by ten squadrons of cavalry.Abercromby advanced boldly through the night, but on approaching the town at dawn came up against what he believed to be superior opposition, after some skirmishing, during which some 15 men were killed, the attack was halted while he referred back to York for further instructions.