Bowie and Fannin were accompanied by ninety soldiers, divided into four companies led by Captains Andrew Briscoe, Robert Coleman, Michael Goheen, and Valentine Bennet.[10][11] The group took a northerly route, following the San Antonio River past Missions San Juan and San José.[10] Along the way they encountered a small party of Mexican scouts, who retreated to Bexar after a brief skirmish.[10]