Fossett’s scouts found the Indians on Dove Creek January 7. Besides, it was rumored that the Indians had a herd of very nice horses that could be captured. It did not matter back then what kind of Indians they were because on the frontier all Indians were considered hostile. Fossett assumed the Indians were Comanches or Kiowas. His unit followed what is described as a broad trail to the North Concho River starting on January 3. Fossett departed Fort Chadbourne near present day Bronte after waiting two days for the Texas militia that never arrived. Totten refused to coordinate their assault and would not agree to a unified command. Henry Fossett and the Texas militia of volunteers from Bosque, Comanche, Coryell, Erath, and Johnson counties commanded by Capt.
History books state that the Confederate cavalry commanded by Capt. Encamped in thickets near the banks of Dove Creek, about 20 miles southwest of current downtown San Angelo, the Kickapoo, led by chiefs Pecan, Papicua, and Nokohat, routed the anglo attackers.
