Texas occupies a unique position in American history. Besides being the only nation-turned-state, Texas officially founded one of the oldest American law enforcement agencies in 1835, the Texas Rangers. Their first role involved protecting settlers against Native American tribes. That role would later expand.
Who Founded the Rangers?
Americans first came to Texas in the early 1820s, founding settlements with Spanish and then Mexican government permission. Moses Austin and his son Stephen F. Austin formed their town, numbering 300 families. Stephen organized about a dozen men, calling them Rangers as protection from Native American tribes. Later, as more people emigrated to Texas and more settlements formed, they created the Texas Rangers.
Austin’s creation of the Rangers showed foresight. In 1826, rising tensions and clashes with a local tribe boiled over. Sick of the murders and raids, American settlers with Rangers attacked the Karankawa people along the Colorado River, killing upwards of 50. The Rangers faced off against their greatest foe, the Comanche tribe, in a few short years. Their clashes and struggles would last for the next fifty years.
What Made Up the Ranger’s Organization?
The Rangers grew from that small band into a more organized group as more Americans came to Texas. Operating like a militia, they organized into companies. Led by either a captain or lieutenant, these frontiersmen were rugged. Each knew how to survive, fight, and ride well. At first, each man needed to provide their mounts and weapons. The salary was $1.25 a day.
As American settlements grew, so did the need for the Rangers. From that protection role, the Rangers patrolled the fringes, pursuing criminals and keeping order. After the 1835-1836 Texas Revolution, the Rangers, based in Austin, answered to the Secretary of War. This arrangement helped the Rangers get additional resources.
Where Did the Rangers Fight in the Mexican-American War?
During the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, the Rangers fought outside of Texas. They fought as part of the U.S. Army and as a regiment. The Rangers fought in several important battles – the Buena Vista and Monterrey Battles.
In this role, the Rangers carried out fast raids and reconnaissance, skillfully finding their way. They fought hard but sometimes brutally. Both sides executed or tortured prisoners, the Rangers being no exception. The Mexican soldiers nicknamed the Rangers the “Los Diablos Tejanos” or Texas Devils. The Rangers returned to their original role when the War ended.
Who Were the Rangers’ Greatest Opponents?
Until their defeat in the 1870s, the Comanches emerged as the Rangers’ greatest foe. Considered among the most formidable American tribes, the Comanche won battles but not the war. The Comanche were expert horsemen with strong leadership and unmatched knowledge of the terrain. They also formed solid alliances with other Texas tribes.
Their first great clash came at the 1840 Battle of Plum Creek. This fight came at the end of the Comanche’s Great 1840 Raid, which struck deep with much destruction. Both sides fought to a standstill. While not defeated, the Ranger inflicted bloody nose meant no more great raids.
What Famous Outlaws and Gangs Did the Texas Rangers Chase?
By 1874, the Rangers (and U.S. Army) inflicted final defeats on the Native Tribes. Forced to Oklahoma, the tribes ceased to be a problem. But replacing them came the rush of pioneers as settlements appeared overnight. The Rangers morphed into a law enforcement unit. They reorganized to enforce these laws, which coincided with a tremendous rise in outlaws and bandit gangs.
Outlaws like John Wesley Hardin fell to the Rangers in 1877. A Texan by birth, Hardin’s kill count allegedly reached 21 by his capture. Besides murder, he also committed cattle rustling and robbery. Besides outlaws, the Rangers also stepped into end feuds. The 1875 Mason County War resulted from flagrant cattle rustling. German-born settlers soon had enough. Lynchings, murders, and vigilante gangs appeared as both sides retaliated. The Rangers got involved, mostly settling the feud, but not before 12 men died.
The Rangers ended the Sam Bass Gang in 1878. This notorious gang specialized in train robberies. One heist netted them $60,000 in new gold coins in 1877. The Rangers cornered Bass’s gang at Round Rock, Texas, on July 19, 1878, after robbing four Dallas area trains. Bass perished in the shootout.
Why Were the Texas Rangers Considered Controversial?
The Rangers’ history is one of hard-won success but not without debate. Violence in the Old West occurred frequently but sometimes blew up. Tejanos, or Mexican descendants, had multiple bad encounters with the Rangers, the worst being the 1918 Porvenir Massacre of 15 men and boys.
