Customer Reviews

Frontier Defense in the Civil War: Texas' Rangers and Rebels (Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students Texas A & M University)

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This 237 page book tells the story of the defense of the Texas frontier from Indians, Jayhawkers, Unionists, and Deserters, by Texas Rangers, Texas State Troops, Frontier Regt, Bourland's Border Regt, and the Frontier Organization. Author David Paul Smith, has an extensive set of endnotes, index, and bibliography, which make this a great book for those who wish to probe this turbulent period in more detail.

The majority of the book deals with the region North and West of Fort Worth, although all of the Western frontier of Texas is covered. The author combines the facts with explanations to cover a period when reliable records are scarce and myth/legend are legion. Particularly impressive are the descriptions of the Elm Creek Raid and Battle of Dove Creek.

In addition, Frontier Defense also briefly covers strategy & tactics used before and during the War Between the States.

Simplified maps of the frontier districts are included, but a good map of Texas is needed unless the reader is very familiar with the frontier outposts. The free Texas Historical Commission map "Texas in The Civil War" is an essential item needed to accompany this book.

The border with Mexico, Gulf Coast, and Eastern Texas are not covered as this regions are beyond the scope of the work.

D. Smith has a talent for storytelling. In reading his book, I can almost hear his voice recounting so many stories (as he did when I was his student). Frontier Defense in the Civil War provides readers with a small piece of history rarely discussed. For those interested in the Civil War or the history of Texas, this is a fascinating book, and with Smith's wonderful prose, it a pleasure to read.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Texans suddenly faced the dilemma of having to confront two enemies: US armed forces and the Plains Indians. A significant number of US troops that played a major role in protecting settlers from Indian raids were withdrawn from the Texas frontier at the onset of war, and the Confederate government in Richmond was not about to replace them with its own troops: they believed the Texans over estimated the Indian threat there. David Smith in this book shows how the Texans dealt with this dual threat through the efforts of the Home Guard and the Texas Rangers, and dealt with them successfully. Through a combination of excellent organization and individual sacrifice and valor, the determined Texans defended their state admirably. Smith is a good writer and relates this chapter of Texas's history compellingly and with vigor. Well annotated and with a good bibliography as well.