October 17, 1867; Moran, Texas: Ordered to Texas after the Civil War, the Sixth Cavalry took up several stations across the state. In July 1866 a detachment went to Maxwell's Ranch, on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, where they set up a post called Camp Wilson, which later became Fort Griffin. On 13 October 1867 Sgt. W.A.F. Ahrberg, Company L, led out a scout of forty-five enlisted men of Companies F, I, K, and L and twenty-two Indian scouts, riding in search of raiding Comanches.
Ahrberg and his men rode east through Shackleford, Stephens, and Palo Pinto Counties, then circled back on a southern loop. On the way they found and buried the bodies of five murdered civilians. In southeast Shackleford County, along Deep Creek near present-day Moran, Texas, they finally tracked down the marauders. Ahrberg's men killed three Comanches and captured a woman along with nineteen horses, a mule, and two revolvers. They arrived back at Camp Wilson on 19 October. The stolen horses were returned to their owners.
In November Col. Joseph J. Reynolds, commanding the District of Texas, expressed his appreciation of Ahrberg. General Orders No. 40 stated that Reynolds "takes pleasure in commending the energy and courage displayed by Sergeant W. A. F. Ahrberg, Troop 'L,' 6th U. S. Cavalry, and the detachment under his command, in their recent encounter with a party of Comanche Indians."
