East Florida Governor Patrick Tonyn had been alerted to the Georgia plans in April, and reports that Baker's company had crossed the St. Marys River on May 10.

A mixed band of Loyalist rangers and primarily Creeks led by Lieutenant Colonel Brown had continued to be active on the border between the two provinces after the February raid; they discover Baker's camp.

Brown wants to capture one of the Georgians for questioning, but Baker's patrols are vigilant and the party sent for the purpose is fired on.

On the night of May 14–15 Brown sends fifteen natives to steal Baker's horses.

They successfully take some of Baker's horses (sources disagree on the exact number, suggesting either forty or one hundred), but are chased down by Baker's men.

In the ensuing skirmish the horses are recovered; however, at least one native (a Chiaha) is killed, and his body is reported by the British to be mutilated by the Georgians.

Governor Tonyn's report of the action, written on June 18, will note that this "greatly exasperated the Savages", which would prove to have disastrous consequences for the Americans.

Worried about the delay of Elbert's force, and having learned from a local resident that authorities had been alerted to the expedition, Baker moves west to find a better strategic location to wait, and encamps on the banks of Thomas Creek, a tributary of the Nassau River.

Meanwhile, Brown's natives and rangers have been reinforced by British regulars under the command of Major Mark Prevost, bringing their total force size to about two hundred.

Their scouts locate the American camp on the night of May 16–17.