Regulator-Moderator War
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The Regulator-Moderator War was a 19th century feud in East Texas during the Republic of Texas years.
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[edit] Background
A strip of land that bordered the Louisiana-Spanish border. Both the US and Spain ignored this swatch of land, which developed into a lawless patch that neither country controlled. Once Mexico gained its independence from Spain, nothing changed in regards towards the Neutral Zone. After Texas won its independence from Mexico, the land remained wild and lawless.
[edit] East Texas War
The Regulator-Moderator War was a land feud in Harrison and Shelby counties in East Texas from (1839-44). The feud eventually involved Nacogdoches, San Augustine and other East Texas counties. The main leaders were Charles W. Jackson and Charles W. Moorman for the Regulators and Edward Merchant, John M. Bradley and James J. Cravens for the Moderators. Their differences date back to land frauds, cattle rustling, barn burners and revenge killings. Dozens had been killed over the years.
[edit] Feud ends
Republic of Texas president Sam Houston grew tired of the lawless fighting and attempted to settle the matter once and for all. He sent George W. Terrell to investigate the mayhem who wrote to Houston, '" It really appears to me as if society were about to dissolve itself into its original elements"'. On 14 August 1844 Houston ordered Travis G. Brooks and Alexander Horton to lead 500 militia into East Texas and make peace between the factions. Brooks was immediately arrested, held, but soon released. Exasperated, Houston himself rode to East Texas and set up headquarters the last two weeks in August at San Augustine to take charge. Through his diplomacy of fairness and evenhandedness, Houston was able to get both factions to sign a peace treaty. Both factions put aside their differences during the US-Mexican War and joined together with Captain L.H.Mobitt's company.
[edit] Bibliography
- Sword of San Jacinto; A Life of Sam Houston; DeBruhl, Marshall; Random House; ISBN 0-394-57623-3
- Passionate Nation; The Epic History of Texas; Haley, James L.; Free Press; ISBN 978-0684862910
