Edited by Spessard Stone from a report, dated Fort Meade, April 29, 1857 from Leroy G. Lesley to George W. Hazzard, Microcopy M-1084, roll 8, National Archives.
April 22d. Started at 9. A.M. and made very near the Fort road until all hammock on the Creek gave out. Then making a detour westward, returned to the camp in the afternoon. Lands are pine & saw palmetto entirely -- without discovering the enemy.
April 23d. Started from Platts due east and reached P. Creek at the point left off 2 day previous. Again taken the swamp, traversing in almost all directions for 10 hours, making I believe not more than 6 or 8 miles on a line direct, found on the East side of P. Creek an old Indian Cow Pen, made a year or two before & near the mouth of Charly Ahapopka Creek. Camped on a Small creek called " Troublesome" on account of its bad crossing &c, it leading into Peas Creek, near the settlement of "Parker."
April 24th. This morning tried the Swamp & prairie with horses. Found after a few hours to be impracticable--turned out with them and took it on foot until a few miles of Fort Hartsuff, where we camped near the Swamp. The lands of the West Side of P. Creek are here of the best quality and in large bodies, well adapted to agricultural purposes, heavily timbered, &c.
April 25th. Continued up the river and arrived at Fort Hartsuff at 11 A.M. & hearing from Mr. W. Whidden that there was a large unexplored hammock on the east side of the Creek some 3 or 4 miles below this, I at once made for that place, & on arriving, dismounting and explored for some miles finding some 2 Jugs & much sign of Indians though nothing less than a year old. Returned at night to Fort Hartsuff & encamped.
April 26th. Leaving here at 8 A.M. again took the swamp on foot, crossing over many times during the day, find the largest body of swamp on the East side and much more dense than formerly, literally compelling us to cut through with our Knives. Arrived at night at the camp near Choka Nikla very tired & Sore.
April 27th. Did not move camp to day owing to the running off of a few of our horses, but with some 15 men remained most of the day on the Creek.
April 28th. Horses caught & all right continued up the swamp for a few miles, crossing over occasionally until 12 M. when finding that the guard had allowed another stampede of Horses which prevented our moving further to day.
April 29th. At 10 A.M. our horses were brought back, and again taking the Swamp until we reached within 2 miles of this place where we arrived at 3 P.M. being absent 20 days, and travelled not less than 250 miles on horseback & 40 miles on foot without discovering any recent sign of Indians & I have no hesitation in making the assertion that there are no Indians within the district assigned me.
April 12, 2001& October 17, 2001