Savage frontier

The Savage Frontier series is an exhaustive study of the frontier battles during the ten-year period of the Republic of Texas. Native Americans and Anglo settlers clashed often in their territorial disputes. This series chronicles the companies of Texas Rangers, Texas Militia men, ad hoc volunteers companies, Texas Cavalry and Texas Army forces which fought in the Texas Indian Wars. This first volume of the Savage Frontier series is a comprehensive account of the formative years of the legendary Texas Rangers. Steve Moore provides fresh detail about each ranging unit formed during the Texas Revolution and narrates their involvement in the pivotal battle of San Jacinto and later battles at Parker's Fort, the Elm Creek Fight, Post Oak Springs Massacre, and the Stone Houses Fight. Of particular interest to the reader will be the various rosters of the companies, which are found throughout the book.^ The second volume of the Savage Frontier series focuses on two of the bloodiest years of fighting in the young Texas Republic. By early 1838, the Texas Rangers were in danger of disappearing altogether. Major General Thomas Rusk, head of the Texas Militia, worked around legal constraints in order to keep the mounted rangers in service. Expeditions against Indians were frequent during 1838 and 1839, conducted by militiamen, Rangers, cavalry, civilian volunteer groups, and the new Frontier Regiment of the Texas Army. From the Surveyors' Fight to the battle of Brushy Creek, each engagement is covered in new detail. This volume concludes with the Cherokee War of 1839, which saw the assembly of more Texan troops than had engaged the Mexican Army at San Jacinto in 1836. Volume II includes a complete lists of Texan casualties of the frontier Indian Wars from 1835 through 1839.^ The third volume of the Savage Frontier series focuses on the evolution of the Texas Rangers and frontier warfare in Texas during the years 1840 and 1841. Comanche Indians were the leading rival to the pioneers during this period. Peace negotiations in San Antonio collapsed during the Council House Fight, prompting what would become known as the "Great Comanche Raid" in the summer of 1840. Author Stephen L. Moore covers the resulting Battle of Plum Creek and other fights in new detail. Rangers, militiamen, and volunteers made offensive campaigns into West Texas and the Cross Timbers area of present Dallas-Fort Worth. During this time Texas' Frontier Regiment built a great military road, roughly parallel to modern Interstate 35. Moore also shows how the Colt repeating pistol came into use by Texas Rangers. Finally, he sets the record straight on the battles of the legendary Captain Jack Hays.^ This fourth and final volume of the Savage Frontier series completes the history of the Texas Rangers and frontier warfare in the Republic of Texas era. During this period of time, fabled Captain John Coffee Hays and his small band of Rangers were often the only government-authorized frontier fighters employed to keep the peace. Author Stephen L. Moore covers the assembly of Texan forces to repel two Mexican incursions during 1842, the Vasquez and Woll invasions. This volume covers the resulting battle at Salado Creek, the defeat of Dawson's company, and a skirmish at Hondo Creek near San Antonio. Texas Rangers also played a role in the ill-fated Somervell and Mier expeditions. By 1844, Captain Hays' Rangers had forever changed the nature of frontier warfare with the use of the Colt five-shooter repeating pistol.