The idea of Texas was forged in the crucible of frontier warfarebetween 1822 and 1865, when Anglo-Americans adapted tomounted combat north of the Rio Grande. This cavalry-centricarena, which had long been the domain of Plains Indians and theSpanish Empire, compelled an adaptive martial tradition thatshaped early Lone Star society. Beginning with initial tacticalinnovation in Spanish Tejas and culminating with massivemobilization for the Civil War, Texas society developed adistinctive way of war defined by armed horsemanship, volunteermilitancy, and short-term mobilization as it grappled with bothtribal and international opponents.

Drawing upon military reports, participants’ memoirs, andgovernment documents, cavalry officer Nathan A. Jenningsanalyzes the evolution of Texan militarism from tribal clashesof colonial Tejas, territorial wars of the Texas Republic, the Mexican-American War, border conflicts of antebellum Texas,and the cataclysmic Civil War. In each conflict Texan volunteersanswered the call to arms with marked enthusiasm for mountedcombat. Riding for the Lone Star explores this societal passion—with emphasis on the historic rise of the Texas Rangers—through unflinching examination of territorial competition withComanches, Mexicans, and Unionists. Even as statesmen StephenF. Austin and Sam Houston emerged as influential strategicleaders, captains like Edward Burleson, John Coffee Hays, andJohn Salmon Ford attained fame for tactical success.