Transcribed by Spessard Stone from Senate Journal Of The Proceedings Of The Senate Of The General Assembly Of The State of Florida, Eight Session, Tallahassee, November 23, 1856, pages 4-5
Capt. Wm. B. Hooker, to his Excellency, James E. Broome Head Quarters South Florida Volunteers
To his Excellency, James E. Broome, Governor of Florida:
Respected Sir-I have the honor to report that in obedience to the expressed wishes of our citizens, I proceeded with a command of forty men, to the frontier line, on Pease creek, on the28th ult. There meeting with those recruited by Messrs. Lesley and Crane, (who had been sent out previously,) I at one proceeded to locate troops at such points as to give the greatest protection to the settlers in this vicinity. The following posts have been garrisoned and provisioned by me, to wit: Fort Meade, twenty men; Fort Hartsuff, twenty-five miles south of that post, twenty-five men; Fort Green, on Green’s settlement, twelve miles south-west of Fort Hartsuff, sixteen men; Fort Hooker, sixteen miles north of Fort Meade, twenty-four men; The balance, sixty-four men, are now on a scout, under the command of Capt. Lesly, to the mouth of Pease Creek.-Enclosed please find a list or roll of men jointly commanded by Capt. Lesly and myself, with the officers, etc. At the unanimous request of the whole company, including Capt. Lesly, I have temporarily assumed command of the whole line, supplying them from my personal resources, and shall continue to do so until further instructions from your Excellency. I have done this to fulfill the wishes of our distracted citizens, and under the advisement of Colonel Munroe, commanding the Federal troops in South Florida. On the 2d inst., or yesterday, my command organized, electing myself Captain; John Parker, First Lieutenant; Joseph M. Pearce, Second Lieutenant. Finding my command more than I anticipated, I divided it, and formed two companies, who elected Leroy g. Lesly, Captain; Streety Parker, First Lieutenant, and Francis A.Henry, Second Lieutenant; for whom I respectfully ask commissions. I did not take time to appoint non-commissioned officers, but sent them at once on a scout. I met to-day Mr. M. M. Edwards, with a command of seventeen men, whom I received and provisioned, and assigned to Fort Hartsuff, and assured him of the rank of Second Lieutenant, which, if possible, I ask your Excellency to commission with that rank. I am recruiting daily, and have ordered all the commands to do so. Doubtless in two weeks our forces will reach one hundred eighty or two hundred men-sufficient to maintain the line on Pease creek, and give security to the entire back country. The greatest difficulty I find is provisioning and finding forage for the animals or horses; however, I have called to my assistance Mr. H. A. Crane, a gentleman of strict integrity, energetic, and every way qualified to perform the duties of Quartermaster and Commissariat; without him, I verily believe, after all my struggles, I should have failed. I ask for him the rank of First Lieutenant.
On my arrival, I found this country in a wretched state; the inhabitants appeared distracted. I knew no time must be lost, and recommended that all settlers living on the south side of Pease creek, to cross over, and fortify themselves. Hence, at Fort Hartsuff are some eight families, at Fort Green five families, Fort Meade eleven families, Fort Hooker six families. I have advices from town that quite a force is coming here to meet me; when they come I shall establish a post as near the mouth of Pease creek as possible; then my line will be complete. I enclose also a copy of my orders to the various commanders of the post I located, to enable your Excellency to know that we have eat no idle bread.
Your Excellency, I am getting old now, former wars begin to have their effect upon me; yet, while I can sit in my saddle, or find a penny in my purse, all, yes, all, shall be devoted to rid our State of this curse. I feel that I want to see my beloved State free, before I close my eyes in an eternal sleep; that my children, at least may sit under their own vine and fig tree, unmolested, and none to make them afraid. This is my only wish.
As I before stated, Col. Munroe has given me his countenance and support, although not yet authorized by the War Department to receive me in government service. My expenses are heavy for a single individual, yet believing that I am right, and have the good wishes of the citizens with me, my country will not desert me, in the hour of trial.
I hope your Excellency will approve my course.
P.S.-I have not had the time to appraise our horses, but will do so the first opportunity. The command of Capt. Durrance has joined me. Yours, W. B. H.
My transcription of the Senate Journal has 25 for number of men at Fort Green. Canter Brown, Jr. in Florida's Peace River Frontier has 16 men.
November 28, 2001