After spending my 30th birthday deep in the heart of Texas, my love of frontier history was reawakened. I spent time in the Brewster County south of Fort Stockton, just north of the Rio Grande and a lot desert, cacti and coyotes in between. I brought Tom Clavin’s book, Follow Me to Hell: McNelly’s Texas Rangers and the Rise of Frontier Justice to read in my spare time. There was nothing more enjoyable than sitting in an historic hotel reading about outlaws on the run and lawmen in pursuit. If I squinted I could almost see someone like “Coffee” Hays or “Old Paint” Caldwell walk into the hotel lobby area some mornings. Tom Clavin did a great job in this book educating the reader not only about Texas Rangers but also about Western Civil War, Texas and Mexican history. Most Americans know who the Texas Rangers are from pop-culture but this book offers us an intimate look at the men and women from one of the tumultuous times in America.
The author spends a lot of time weaving a portrait of early Texas as well, it was a sparsely populated and largely undeveloped region characterized by vast open spaces, diverse landscapes, and a mix of Native American, Mexican, and Anglo-American influences. Texas at the time was part of Mexico, and the Mexican government sought to encourage settlement in the area. The 1820s witnessed a significant influx of Anglo-American settlers, known as the “Old Three Hundred,” who arrived in Texas under contracts with the Mexican government. The economy of early 19th-century Texas was primarily based on agriculture and ranching. Settlers engaged in farming, raising livestock, and trading with Mexico. Texas was a melting pot of cultures, with Native American, Mexican, and Anglo-American communities coexisting and often times clashing.
The settlers faced challenges such as conflicts with Native American tribes, as well as occasional tensions with Mexican authorities. The Mexican government’s attempts to regulate immigration and enforce laws led to occasional friction. Infrastructure in 1820s Texas was minimal. There were few roads, and transportation was challenging. Most settlements were small, and communication was limited. By the end of the 1820s, tensions were growing between the Anglo-American settlers and the Mexican government, eventually leading to the Texas Revolution in the 1830s as settlers sought greater autonomy and independence.
A few notable heroes of Texas lore he focuses on are Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston particularly their impact on the Texas Rangers. Stephen F. Austin is considered not only the Father of Texas but also can be credited for being the creator of the Texas Rangers. The initial idea was to have a defense for Anglo-Americans as they settled into Texas during the 1820s. During Sam Houston’s presidency he worked to formalize the Texas Rangers to defend settlers, he saw the value of using the Texas Rangers are military and law enforcement during the early Republic. Houston also saw their value to help manage relations with indigenous tribes and border defense.
The early Texas Rangers can only be referred to as hardened frontiersmen, there is simply no way around it. John Coffee “Jack” Hays, is a true legend even today. He was a captain that aided King Ranch and brought order to the infamous Nueces Strip. Hays was around pre-civil war if that helps place him in Texas history. Leander H. McNelly served as a captain in the Texas Rangers during the post-Civil War era. He gained fame for his efforts to control lawlessness and violence along the Mexican border, particularly during the turbulent times of the Reconstruction era. Ben McCulloch is perhaps better known for his military service during the Texas Revolution and the Civil War, he also served as a Texas Ranger. His experiences in various conflicts and leadership roles contributed to his status as a notable figure in Texas history. William “Bigfoot” Wallace was a Texas Ranger and frontiersman known for his exploits during the turbulent times of the mid-19th century. He played a role in various conflicts, including the Mexican-American War, and later became a prominent figure in Texas folklore.
John Coffee Hays is introduced as the patriarch of the Rangers, he truly helped organize the Rangers early on when there were several offshoots of militia running around trying to police in similar fashion. Hays also discovered the effectiveness of the Colt revolver which gave them a huge edge in fighting with indigenous tribes especially the Comanches. Not only was Hays a lawman he also was a captain for the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and served in public office such as county surveyor and sheriff. Truly a founding figure in Texas history.
Clavin focuses especially on Leander McNelly, who played a key role in restoring order to the South Texas region during a period of lawlessness and violence. The area was plagued by cattle rustlers, outlaws, and conflicts arising from the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction. McNelly faced challenges along the border with Mexico, dealing with cattle raiders and criminal elements crossing the border. He led the Texas Rangers in efforts to control these cross-border activities and maintain security in the region. McNelly’s leadership style was often firm, and he gained a reputation for taking decisive action to confront criminal elements and maintain peace. His legacy is often remembered for the challenges he faced and the efforts to curb criminal activities during a tumultuous period in Texas history. McNelly’s contributions remain significant in the context of the complex and challenging circumstances he faced along the Texas-Mexico border.
Ben McCulloch is more widely recognized for his military service in the Texas Revolution, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War, rather than his specific contributions to the Texas Rangers. Rangers during this period faced challenges posed by Comanche and other tribes, and their role included protecting settlers and maintaining order on the Texas frontier. McCulloch’s experiences as a frontiersman and his familiarity with the challenges of life on the Texas frontier contributed to his effectiveness as a Texas Ranger. His knowledge of the terrain and his ability to adapt to the demands of frontier life were valuable assets. It’s important to note that detailed records of individual Texas Ranger activities from this period can be limited, and the specific highlights of McCulloch’s time as a Texas Ranger may not be as extensively documented as his later military service. His reputation as a frontiersman and his contributions to maintaining peace on the Texas frontier, however, were undoubtedly part of his broader legacy in the history of Texas and the Rangers.
William “Bigfoot” Wallace, had a colorful and adventurous career during the mid-19th century. Wallace was involved in various campaigns against Native American tribes, particularly the Comanches. The Rangers played a crucial role in defending settlers from raids and conflicts with indigenous peoples, and Wallace’s experiences in these campaigns honed his skills as a frontiersman. Wallace served as a member of the Mier Expedition during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). The expedition resulted in the Battle of Mier, where Wallace was captured by Mexican forces. He, along with other captives, drew the infamous “black beans” to determine which prisoners would be executed. Wallace narrowly escaped execution and eventually returned to Texas. During the Battle of Salado Creek in 1842, Wallace fought against Mexican forces under General Adrian Woll, who had invaded San Antonio. The Texans, including Wallace, successfully repelled the Mexican forces in this engagement. Wallace was part of both the Somervell and Mier Expeditions into Mexico. These expeditions were Texas attempts to counter perceived Mexican threats and secure the border region. The Mier Expedition, in particular, had significant consequences for Wallace and other participants. Following his time as a Ranger, Wallace settled in the Texas Hill Country. He became a respected member of the community, engaging in various activities such as ranching and surveying. In his later years, Wallace wrote a memoir titled “The Early Days of Texas.” This firsthand account provides insights into his experiences as a Texas Ranger and frontiersman, contributing to the historical record of that era. William “Bigfoot” Wallace’s contributions as a Texas Ranger were marked by his courage, skills, and dedication to maintaining peace on the Texas frontier during a challenging period in the state’s history.
At times the Texas Rangers have taken on many forms such as a militia similar to minute men, “Ranging Company” which was designed to fight against indigenous populations on the frontier and eventually by the time of The Republic of Texas into the 1830s a full fledged law enforcement unit. The Rangers go hand in hand with the growth of Texas, they were a part of the very beginning just as they are still a part of her story. The Rangers also like Texas are complicated but nonetheless inspiring to us all for their courage in battle, commitment to a higher cause and hope for a better future. Overall this is a fascinating book about not only Westward Expansion but about the early years of Texas, Civil War history sprinkled in and topped off with the back and forth with Mexico.
Written by Michael McPhail
Brains and Brawn 