The citizens, it appeared, had broken through the curtain work on the side where Batenburg was expected, in order that a sally might be made in co-operation with the relieving force, as soon as it should appear.  Signal fires had been agreed upon, by which the besieged were to be made aware of the approach of their friends.  The Spanish Commander accordingly ordered a mass of green branches, pitch, and straw, to be lighted opposite to the gap in the city wall.  Behind it he stationed five thousand picked troops.  Five thousand more, with a force of cavalry, were placed in the neighbourhood of the downs, with orders to attack the patriot army on the left.  Six regiments, under Romero, were ordered to move eastward, and assail their right.  The dense mass of smoke concealed the beacon lights displayed by Batenburg from the observation of the townspeople, and hid the five thousand Spaniards from the advancing Hollanders.  As Batenburg emerged from the wood, he found himself attacked by a force superior to his own, while a few minutes later he was entirely enveloped by overwhelming numbers.  The whole Spanish army was, indeed; under arms, and had been expecting him for two days.  The unfortunate citizens alone were ignorant of his arrival.  The noise of the conflict they supposed to be a false alarm created by the Spaniards, to draw them into their camp; and they declined a challenge which they were in no condition to accept.

Batenburg was soon slain, and his troops utterly routed.  The number killed was variously estimated at from six hundred to two and even three thousand.  It is, at any rate, certain that the whole force was entirely destroyed or dispersed, and the attempt to relieve the city completely frustrated.  The death of Batenburg was the less regretted, because he was accused, probably with great injustice, of having been intoxicated at the time of action, and therefore incapable of properly, conducting the enterprise entrusted to him.

The Spaniards now cut off the nose and ears of a prisoner and sent him into the city, to announce the news, while a few heads were also thrown over the walls to confirm the intelligence.  When this decisive overthrow became known in Delft, there was even an outbreak of indignation against Orange.  According to a statement of Alva, which, however, is to be received with great distrust, some of the populace wished to sack the Prince’s house, and offered him personal indignities.  Certainly, if these demonstrations were made, popular anger was never more senseless; but the tale rests entirely, upon a vague assertion of the Duke, and is entirely, at variance with every other contemporaneous account of these transactions.  It had now become absolutely, necessary, however, for the heroic but wretched town to abandon itself to its fate.  It was impossible to attempt anything more in its behalf.  The lake and its forts were in the hands of the enemy, the best force which could be mustered to make head against the besieging army had been cut to pieces, and the Prince of Orange, with a heavy heart, now sent word that the burghers were to make the best terms they could with the enemy.