never stopped the flow of arms, ammunition and provisions. It was long
after the war that a Dr. Richmond, while surveying along the southern
coastline, noticed a current coming from Taylor River, and turned to
explore it. Confronted by a heavy mangrove growth, he saw water
flowing under it. Cutting through a few yards, he found a deep
waterway. Landing places and trails led him into Royal Palm Hammock,
Camp Sable, and the Homestead District. The Indians admitted that this
was the principal entrance of the contraband carriers.

Another purpose of these operations was to secure better
knowledge of the Indian country.

There had been 13 years of peace, when the incident of
Lieutenant Hartsuff, a United States Civil Engineer, and his men, who
were exploring and surveying on the borders of the Everglades and Big
Cypress Swamp started new hostilities.

Billy Bowlegs, known as "King" or "General" Bowlegs, was
a chief of prominence, the recognized leader of Indians remaining in
Florida. The Indians had renounced the leadership of the aged Sam
Jones, in favor of Bowlegs who was wise, intelligent, kind, and
spoke English well. He had camps and towns scattered over the
'Glades and Big Cypress, but the "Gardens," about two miles from
where Hartsuff and his men were encamped, was his pride. The
beautiful banana plants in the garden were the delight of his heart.