[3] Floyd's force marched westward along the Federal Road, planning to construct forts to protect their extended supply lines.

[3][4] Captain Jett Thomas, an engineer officer and artillery commander, led the construction of Fort Hull.

[4] While the fort was being constructed Captain John P. Harvey was ordered by Floyd to lead a raid on the plantation of Alexander Cornells, Benjamin Hawkins' former interpreter.

[10] On January 25, Floyd felt the Federal Road was passable, so he set out for the Creek town of Tukabatchee and left one hundred men in charge of Fort Hull.

The delay (in combination with the plan to attack the Red Sticks from an unexpected direction) led Floyd to leave the Federal Road and march northward.

Floyd ordered the force's tents and cooking utensils sent back to Fort Hull in supply wagons—a decision which upset many of the soldiers.

[13] On January 27, Red Stick warriors made a surprise attack on Camp Defiance in what became known as the Battle of Calebee Creek.

[15] Due to lack of supplies and nearing the end of his soldiers' terms of service Floyd returned to Fort Hull.

[16][17][18] Spies that were left at Camp Defiance warned Floyd that the Red Sticks who were still in the surrounding area were planning to attack Fort Hull.

On February 16, Floyd made the decision to march his force back to Fort Mitchell and muster his men out of service.

These volunteers were then reinforced by militia from North and South Carolina under the command of Brigadier General Joseph Graham and Thomas Crawford.

[8] A US Army company under the command of Captain David E. Twiggs arrived at the fort prior to the North and South Carolina militia.

[24] This force included the Carolina militia, allied Creeks, fifty regular infantry, and four pieces of artillery.