In April, 1736, Bienville himself set out from Mobile on what was planned as a punitive expedition against the Chickasaw. In the fleet of more than 60 boats, the most imposing ever seen on the Tombigbee at that time, he brought soldiers, adventurers, loafers, convicts, sailors, Canadian woodsmen, monks, and priests. After a brief stop at Fort Tombigbee the company proceeded to Ackia, in present eastern Mississippi, and was defeated by the aroused Chickasaw with the loss of many men. Bienville retreated to the fort and then returned to Mobile, leaving behind a garrison of 30 French and 20 Swiss soldiers under De Berthel.