Soon after the Crusader march began, the Damascene army showed up in great strength to contest their advance. Many Latin soldiers were eager for battle, but more cautious heads prevailed. Posting extra guards to watch for a surprise attack, the army made camp and spent the night. After a council of war the next day, Baldwin and his officers determined to continue the expedition to Bosra in a fighting march. The army moved in the usual formation when opposed by an army of Turkish horse archers. Provision was made to oppose attacks on the vanguard, the flanks and the rear. The Crusader foot soldiers marched in close formation with foot archers ready to fire back at the Turkish horse archers and spearmen ready to repel a direct attack. "In order to maintain the solidity of the column, the pace of the mounted troops was made to conform to that of the infantry." For four days, the Crusaders advanced toward their intended goal, under constant archery and probing attacks. Further, the soldiers were bedeviled by thirst in the hot summer weather. When they arrived at Bosra, they managed to obtain water and other supplies. Their hopes were dashed when they found that Altuntash's wife had introduced a Damascene garrison into Bosra's citadel. Unwilling to chance a siege close to an enemy host, Baldwin elected to withdraw. The Crusaders suffered even worse on their return march from the heat, dust and constant harassment by the Turks. One day, the Turks set fire to the dry brush upwind of the retreating army, adding to their misery. The Crusaders carried their dead and wounded with them so that their enemies would not be encouraged by their losses. "Any man who left his place in the ranks was threatened with severe penalties." Leaving the ranks without permission was forbidden. However, one exception a knight who was allowed to rescue a soldier if he was about to be killed by a Muslim. As the Crusaders neared their own territories, the Turks redoubled their attacks on the rearguard, trying to separate it from the rest of the formation. Near the moment of crisis, a Turk rode out without leave and killed an opponent in personal combat. This so dismayed the Damascenes and encouraged the Franks that "excuses were found for his breach of orders." Ultimately, the Turks were unable to stop the Crusader army from recrossing the
Jordan and safely returning to the
Kingdom of Jerusalem. The running battle lasted 12 days. ==Aftermath==