The Apache moved closer during the night. Apache guns, including three Henry's, that had been fired from Apache Ridge, were later fired from Area H, only 160 yards distant. Regimental returns indicate that a number of horses were stampeded and lost. Some Apache cartridges are within 50 yards of the northeast skirmish line. The intensity of the fighting was apparent from the distribution of .45 caliber pistol cartridges representing twenty separate pistols along Carroll's northeast skirmish line. It is clear that the men in that line had to drop their carbines and fight with pistols at close range.

By 7:00 a.m. the next morning, 25 horses and mules were down and Capt. Carroll and seven Buffalo Soldiers were wounded, two mortally. Just as Victorio was directing a renewed attack, two columns of reinforcements arrived. The first were the two companies that Carroll had directed to follow him into Hembrillo. The second group, arriving from the west, was the company of 6th Cavalry and three companies of Apache Scouts.

We know that the two groups of reinforcements arrived at the same time because Lt. Conline later reported that the Apache Scouts fired some 200 rounds of friendly fire toward his troops as they joined Carroll on the ridge. Only one mule was hit on the knee, fortunately for all but the mule.

Victorio was aware of the reinforcements long before they arrived and the Apache retreated from the positions surrounding Carroll. Realizing that he was now outnumbered, Victorio directed his warriors to hold Victorio Ridge and fight a rear-guard action while the rest of his people left the basin. This they did, holding the combined force of 300 men at bay for almost six hours as they fought a disciplined, organized retreat, holding the high ground with each movement to the rear.

Second Lt. Thomas Cruse, 6th Cavalry, was fighting in his first engagement since graduation from West Point in 1879. He reported that initially he was excited by the situation until a few bullets hit close to him and realized that they were shooting at him. He further noted that he knew he did not kill any Apache because he did not see any Apache. All he saw was a long ridge from which came smoke and bullets.

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