Texas Military Engagements 1836-1865

Texas Military Engagements,1836-1865

Major Military Engagements Texas 1836-1865

Texas engaged in many military battles between 1836 and 1865. It is difficult to evaluate how Texans performed in the theatre of war without evaluating multiple military episodes including the Texas Revolution, the Mexican War, The Civil War and the multiple wars against Indian renegades (Barker & Pohl, 2001). For the most part many credit Texans with achieving tremendous military accomplishments. There are however certain battles where military representatives performed less stellar than in others. The combined experiences of the Texas military are described in greater detail below.

There are some battles that Texas engaged in where military representatives faire far worse than expected. The war for independence was somewhat suppressed for example in one battle by Mexican soldiers supported by Austin's colonies (Barker & Pohl, 2001). At certain times during the Texas Revolution the army was divided and disintegrated (Barker & Pohl, 2001). The Texas Revolution is a key consideration when exploring the Texas military history. It points out both strong and weak points in Texas military history.

Texas participation in the civil war however revealed Texan soldiers as "honorable and capable of distinction "(Richardson, et. al, 315). Other battles including some that did occur even within the Revolution suggest that the military in Texas were almost mythic, strong warriors with exceptional weapons capabilities (Dawson, 1995). This is most evident in the Mexican War, though glimpses of this valor are also present during the fighting that occurred in the civil war (Richardson, et. al., 1970). Texans have also been described as having a "ferocity in war" exhibited by Texas units fighting the Civil War battles and by demonstrations of the multiple ways Texans helped "bolster the Confederacy's arms" (Dawson, 189).

One of the most often commented battles recorded in Texas history is that of the Alamo, in March of 1836 when the Fortress Alamo carrying less than 200 men was overcome by Mexican troops led by General Lopez de Santa Anna (Lang, 2001). This is not a battle that one can look at and suggest the Texas military performed well. Interestingly enough however this battle often serves as the focal point and inspiration for future military successes.

Rather than serve to defeat the Texas military this strategic battle became a "rallying point" for Texan militia men and in further battles the cry "remember the Alamo!" became quite inspiring and legendary (Dawson, 14). This battle serves less to describe the military prowess of the Texas army which at best can be described as lacking in this battle, but more as a powerful myth and legend that helped Texans share beliefs and cultural values which in turn represented changing values and character among military members (Dawson, 1995).

It was during the war with Mexico that Texas mounted volunteers became a formidable opponent and force to be reckoned with within the Texan army (Richardson, et. al, 1970; Dawson, 1995). Here a group of volunteer Riflemen commanded by Captain Ben McCulloch were described as the product of "generations or border warfare, always on the cutting edge of the frontier, representatives of this warrior people" (Dawson, 50).

These volunteers had displace multiple reengage Indians and again fought courageously and successfully against Mexican militia members, subduing unrest and supporting the Texas militia in multiple was. Groups of Texan frontiersmen called rangers with little respect for discipline or authority would also engage in reckless and aggressive warfare particularly among the Indians or against Mexicans during the war with Mexico (Dawson, 5). Most of these fighters while lacking the professionalism of trained soldiers still had knowledge of essential combat fighting regulations, were possessed of strong leadership abilities and courage beyond that of ordinary men (Dawson, 1995). Most entered battle doubly armed and with a ferocity in their eyes that bread fear in the hearts of their opponents.

Conclusions

The Texas military was made up of people from many different backgrounds and fighting personalities. It is the diversity of the military and the passion with which members served that ultimately leads one to conclude that Texas military is at best, legendary and inspirational. At various times in history the military performed both well and poorly. To review Texas military history as a whole however between 1836 and 1865 one may conclude that for the most part the Texas military performed exceedingly well in the theatre of war. This is particularly evident during battles occurring within the Civil War and during the war with Mexico.