as many as 20 engagements took place across the texas panhandle. the army, consisting entirely of soldiers and scouts, sought to engage the indians at any opportunity. the indians, traveling with women, children, and elderly, mostly attempted to avoid them. when the two did encounter one another, the indians usually tried to escape before the army could force them to surrender. however, even a successful escape could be disastrously costly if horses, food, and equipment had to be left behind. by contrast, the army and its indian scouts had access to essentially limitless supplies and equipment, they frequently burned anything they captured from retreating indians, and were capable of continuing operations indefinitely. the war continued throughout the fall of 1874, but increasing numbers of indians were forced to give up and head for fort sill to enter the reservation system.