Old Copy of Texas Ranger Photo Entitled "Capt. Brocks Co. Stationed at Rio Grande, Tex. Garza War" c.1891

➼ History & Context

The Texas Rangers have had a fearsome reputation as excellent trackers and ferocious fighters since they were first founded in 1823. Stephen F. Austin, worried that the Mexican law enforcement could not cover the lands around his colony effectively enough, paid the initial ten men out of his own pocket.

Officially recognized by the new Republic of Texas government in 1836, with the influx of more people to the area the Rangers quickly increased their ranks. Rangers were paid $1.25 per day and $5 per month for food and supplies, officers a bit more, and all had to bring their own horses, tack, weapons, and ammunition to the endeavor.

As author John C. Caperton said, “Each was armed with a rifle, a pistol, and a knife. With a Mexican blanket tied behind his saddle and small wallet in which he carried salt and ammunition and perhaps a little panola or parched corn, spiced and sweetened – a great allayer of thirst – and tobacco, he was equipped for a month.”

Tasked with patrolling for thieves and cattle rustlers and protecting Texans from raids from both across the border with Mexico and from the Native peoples that had been displaced from their ancestral lands, the Rangers developed their skills and reputation.

So lauded were they, and known for their favor for the Colt Paterson 5-shot revolver, that Colt approached them to collaborate on a new 6-shot revolver. A scene from one of the Rangers’ most famous exploits was even engraved on the cylinder – though in an interesting deviation Colt outfitted the mounted men in the uniform of the U.S. Dragoons. [Check out the Colt First Model Dragoon for more info on Colt’s evolved firearm]

➼ The Garza War

Also known as the Garza Revolution, the Garza war took place in Texas and across the border in the Mexican state of Coahuila between 1891 and 1893. One of several outbreaks of rebellion during the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz in Mexico, this uprising was distinct in its use of the Texas border to escape reprisal. 

As this use of the border crossing was a violation of neutrality, the US sent in the Army to address the situation on the Texas side of the border. Only a few small skirmishes happened on the American side, and one Captain Bourke said in his writing that all their traveling and searching was “without the slightest result, beyond wearing out horses, men, and officers” and he recommended to his superiors that they should all learn Spanish to better communicate.

The situation soon devolved into a great deal of violence as multiple different people came to power in the rebel forces and chaos crept in, leading to events like the Massacre at San Ygnacio. The rancher who led the rebels there, Francisco Benavides, was one of the first taken by American forces in their reestablished second campaign.