No. 10; one at or near the Neches, above where the Comanche Trace to Nacogdoches crossed that stream, to be known as No. 12; and the third to be established "at or near where a right line from the post on the Neches to the post on the San Gabriel would intersect the Navosoto River" and to be designated No. 11. The auxiliary posts were intended to give support and greater effect to the general plan and at the same time provide local defense and protection to those settlements which lay too remote from the primary chain of forts to be effectively protected by them.

In making his recommendations as to the size of the force needed to garrison the posts due consideration was given to economy and to the nature of the principal enemy -- the Indian. The size and nature of the force recommended was as follows:

Together the companies would form two regiments -- a frontier regiment of infantry and a frontier regiment of cavalry.

The Secretary of War felt that there was no need of a road to connect one fort with another, for he believed that the smallness of the garrisons and the great distance between the posts precluded any active support being given by one fort to another, in time of emergency. Rather, he thought, that if roads were to be constructed, they should tie the forts to the settlements from which re-enforcements and supplies must come. Such roads would also contribute greatly to the convenience and benefit of settlers residing on or near the frontier.

In the meantime, while the Texan government planned its defenses, Zapata and Jordan, against their better judgment, set out with Canales