Clarke and his militiamen realized that the reports were true and that they were likely to be targeted. Since their homes were concentrated in a relatively small area, they were able to herd the most exposed families into small forts, where they could best defend themselves. As soon as possible, Clarke marshaled a group of Georgia and South Carolina militiamen, and they methodically attacked Indian villages and crops in a wide swath east of the Appalachian Mountains. The Indians were also prepared, and they and the entire Ranger organization did their best to monitor the militia movements. Most Indians were able to vacate their homes before the militiamen arrived. Clarke’s policy was to burn all dwellings and to execute five men in each Indian settlement if they could be captured, as a warning against further predations against Georgia settlers. Long before Clarke reached Blue Star’s home, Cameron and his family had moved once again, to join Stuart in Pensacola.

These military skirmishes, over several months, were damaging both to white settlers and Indian tribes, but they accomplished Brown’s purposes of keeping the militia occupied, discouraging settlers from leaving their homes to join the revolutionaries, and driving the Creeks and Cherokees increasingly toward alignment with the British troops. The effectiveness of the Florida Rangers created consternation not only in south Georgia, but throughout the southern colonies.

Brown knew how favorably Governor Tonyn now looked upon his performance. Aware of the well-known competition between Tonyn and Prevost, he was emboldened to express a higher ambition to the governor. Brown let it be known that there were several majors serving under the general and in South Carolina, and he did not want to be officially subservient to them. Tonyn responded by using his authority to give Brown a provisional commission as lieutenant colonel, which was readily accepted since he now saw the advantages of military rank. Prevost was furious when he learned of this decision, but his command was restricted, by regulation and his own choice, to regular British forces, and Brown now had the authority and rank that he desired as commander of the Rangers. He began to expand his activities far beyond the original purposes of his irregular forces, with his ultimate, personal ambition still focused on Augusta.

Brown knew almost immediately when the Americans moved into an area to recruit white families that had ties to the Tories. He made it clear to those who were inclined to be neutral and mind their own affairs that the Rangers would continue to be dominant and would penalize or reward them according to their political inclination. To increase the value of intimidation, he ordered the Rangers, including Creek warriors, to commit well-publicized acts of robbery and arson against certain settlers who were known to support the rebel cause.

In January 1777, Thomas Brown submitted this assessment to his superiors:

Your Excellency: