Following the Prussian victory 
at Nachod, Austrian commander 
Field Marshal Ludwig von Benedek
inspected the Ramming's VI Korps
and ordered it to retreat.  The 
Austrian force was to be covered
by VIII Korps, commanded by 
Archduke Leopold.  After safely 
seeing off VI Korps, VIII Korps 
was also to fall back.  

As the Austrians left the area 
though, the Prussian V Corps, 
commanded by Steinmetz, began 
to move.  Advancig from Nachod, 
the army moved to the northwest 
in an attempt to locate and 
link up with the rest of 
Prussian Second Army moving 
south from Trautenau and the 
Eypel pass.

Leopold, though ordered not to 
interfere with Steinmetz, 
decided to attack.  Firing his 
artillery from the heights north
and east of Skalitz, he broke 
up the Prussian advance columns 
and drove them into Dubno Wood.
Convinced he was inflicting a 
major defeat on the Prussians, 
Leopold then turned the battle 
over to his subordinates, who 
ordered infantry into Dubno Wood
to clear the Prussians out with 
bayonet charges.

Covered from the Austrian 
artillery in the woods, the 
Prussians made short work of the
Austrians.  Though the Austrian 
infantry attacked determinedly, 
their uncoordinated attacks in 
dense columns were slowed by the
forest, and stopped by the 
Needle-guns of the Prussian 
army - two Austrian brigades 
were heavily mauled.  

When Benedek was informed of 
Leopold's actions, he removed 
the Archduke from command.  This
relief was too late for over 
5,500 Austrian soldiers; 
slightly over 1,300 Prussians 
fell.  By 2 p.m., Steinmetz was 
in Skalitz and the Prussian 
advance continued. 