396 INCIDENTS AT 
It had been my intention, when leaving El Paso, to 
take the San Antonio road as far as the Leona station, 
about six hundred miles, and there turn off to Eagle 
Pass, where I expected to meet Major Emory ; and for 
this journey all my arrangements were made. The ~ 
military escort was alone wanting, and this was one 
object of my visit to Fort Fillmore, where a portion 
of the company originally detailed for the purpose 
were waiting orders. Much to my disappointment I 
_ found there but twenty-four effective men belonging to 
the company, a number barely sufficient for an escort 
for Lieutenant Whipple. 
In this position, I was at a loss what course to take, 
or how to get out of the country. Every small party 
coming through. from San Antonio had been attacked 
by the Comanches; and accounts had reached El Paso 
that bands of three hundred warriors had been seen. 
At no time had there been so much alarm felt; and I 
was advised, by the army officers and others, who 
knew the state of the country, not to attempt the jour 
ney, with so small a party as. mine, without an escort. 
The officers and men of the Commission, myself includ- 
ed, had performed guard duty from the Pimo villages 
to El Paso ; and we did not feel disposed to do it again 
on the long march to Eagle Pass. At this juncture 
was done from right to left, along the whole line simultaneously, which 
completely checked their advance, and threw them into great disorder. 
A charge was now made, when the enemy fled to the mountains con- 
tiguous. The force of the enemy was 1220, of which 537 were caval- 
ty. * * * The loss of the enemy was 43 killed, and 150 reported at 
El Paso to be wounded. Our loss was none killed—7 wounded ; 
since recovered.” — 
