The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Captain Sam Walker - Texas Ranger - Dec. 8th, 2003

www.texasranger.org ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
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FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

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Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker
(1815 - 1847)

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In the 180-year history of the Texas Rangers, there have been many shining stars, but none glowed any brighter than Samuel Hamilton Walker.

Walker’s years of life were few. He was born in Prince George County, Maryland, in 1815 and was killed in Mexico on October 8, 1847. During those brief 32 years, he packed in 132 years of adventures. Wars, Indian battles, filibusters, and honors were all a part of his life. To top it off, he had one of the most famous pistols in history named after him.

Sam Walker

Very little is known about Walker’s early life. From surviving letters and reports, it appears that he was well educated. In 1832, while still a teenager, Walker ended up in Washington, DC. Four years later, in May 1836, he joined the army.

Over the next two years, he had two tours of duty in the Florida swamps fighting Chief Osceola’s Seminoles. For “exceptional courage” shown in the Battle of Hacheeluski in January 1837, he was promoted to corporal. This may seem a small honor today, but in those early years of army history, it was the norm that promotions could, and usually did, take years.

Walker did his duty until he was mustered out of the Army in 1838. Single and still seeking adventure, he headed back to Florida, where he had a job waiting for him. An old Army buddy, George Gordon Meade of Gettysburg fame, had also left the service and was supervising the construction of the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia Railway. Walker remained in Florida until 1841, when he departed for Texas to become a legend.


They were cruel protectors of their civilization on a cruel frontier. Against daunting odds, small companies of Texas Rangers defeated Comanche warriors, Mexican armies, cattle rustlers and bandits -- even Bonnie and Clyde.

Records indicate that Walker arrived in San Antonio in January 1842. He soon he joined the company of the man most would agree was the greatest Ranger of the post-Civil War era, Captain John Coffee “Jack” Hays.

By 1842, the Texas Revolution was six years into history, but the wounds on both Texas and Mexico were still bare and festering. Several Mexican invasions of Texas had occurred, most notably that by Raphael Vasquez in early March 1842. After plundering and looting San Antonio for two days, Vasquez had retreated to Mexico. Only President Sam Houston’s calm hand prevented a war, but he could not alleviate the ever-growing hatred felt by both sides.

In September of the same year, not even Houston could keep a lid on the situation when the Frenchman Adrian Woll led a Mexican army into Texas and again captured San Antonio. For ten days, Woll infested the city. Houston placed Alexander Somervell at the head of the Texas Army, with two sets of orders to either (1) show restraint or (2) invade Mexico.


John Coffee Hays,
"Captain Jack" of the Texas Rangers

Sam Walker was not about to miss a fight, and he quickly signed on as a scout for Captain Jesse Billingsley. Billingsley’s force joined up with Matthew “Old Paint” Caldwell, where Walker served with Jack Hays and Henry McCulloch. As Woll retreated back to Mexico, the Texans only had a few minor skirmishes with the invaders. The Rangers returned to San Antonio. For the next two months, they reorganized in what would become known as the [Alexander] Somervell Expedition. When they moved, they headed toward Mexico and peacefully reoccupied Laredo. The Texans stayed in Laredo only a short time before moving on down the Rio Grande to the town of Guerrero to resupply.

On December 18, 1842, General Somervell declared the expedition ended and ordered his 498 men back to San Antonio. One hundred eighty-nine of them refused to quit. They elected William Fisher their commander and continued with the invasion of Mexico. Jack Hays did not join them. He warned his comrades to abandon their foolish ideas, but they did not listen. Two of those who disregarded Walker’s request were Sam Walker and W. A. A. “Big Foot” Wallace.

On December 23, the Texans invaded Mier, just south of the Rio Grande. They were unopposed. After demanding and receiving supplies, they returned to the north side of the border. On Christmas Day, some of Fisher’s spies reported that 700 Mexican soldiers were in Mier. This was a fight worthy of the Texans. They re-crossed the river and attacked.



The Rangers were good, but even they couldn’t handle the overwhelming force of this enemy. On the next day, December 26, they were forced to surrender.

Unfortunately, Sam Walker was not one the Texans who surrendered. He had been the first Texan captured in the ill-fated expedition. The day before, he and fellow scout Patrick Lusk had been on a scouting expedition. Walker had come upon some Mexican soldiers and fired. He was attempting to crawl under a fence when a Mexican soldier grabbed him by his foot and held him tight until reinforcements arrived.

What followed would enrage Texans as nothing had since the Alamo and the Fannin Massacre during the Texas Revolution. It was the Lottery of Death. The Texans were marched to prison in Saltillo. On March 1, 1843, Santa Anna ordered all 176 prisoners lined up against a wall and shot. Fortunately, Governor Francisco Mexia refused to commit such an atrocity.

The prisoners were then ordered to San Luis Potosi. By March 25, when they arrived at Rancho Salado, another order had arrived from Santa Anna. He ordered that every tenth man must be shot. This time, there would be no Governor Mexia to stop the murders.



Who would die? One hundred fifty-nine white beans and seventeen black beans were placed in a jar. Each man dug his hand into the jar and brought out a bean. Anyone unfortunate enough to withdraw a black bean died. Walker and Big Foot Wallace both brought out a white bean and where spared. The leader of the Texans, William Fisher, also drew a white bean. However, Santa Anna would not hear of the Texas commander being spared, and he was shot.

For months, Walker and his fellow Texans were summarily beaten and worked, in some cases to death. On July 30, 1843, Walker escaped and managed to get on a ship headed for New Orleans. He arrived there in September.

Walker didn’t stay long in the Crescent City. He wanted to get back to Texas and start settling scores south of the border. He repeated his vows of vengeance so often to his friends that he earned a new nickname, “Mad” Walker.

[snippy_about_it]

I think we could use a thousand or so Rangers on the Mexican border,,,right now!

Yeehaa!

Mornin' SCDogPapa.

[SCDogPapa]

Hi ya Snippy! Wondered if I'd ever "see" you again. :)

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning feather.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you WaterDragon, there is so much here to learn not always taught in school.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Good morning back!!

If we were any happier, they'd have to tax it! :o)

Hope this finds you as happy!

[snippy_about_it]

I'm here! Why did you think you'd lose me? I'm out here in Oregon visiting SAM and now I'm on west coast time.

[SCDogPapa]

I'm out here in Oregon visiting SAM and now I'm on west coast time.

Oh! ok,,er,,er,,I can live with that. LOL!

[HiJinx]

Arizona has Rangers too, don't they?

Aye, that we do...but they are largely either ceremonial or used for event security. You'll see them at carnivals, public parks, concerts, etc. They are also used to accompany people making large cash deposits who don't normally do so...for example, folks who have once or twice a year fund-raisers.

They aren't a formal law enforcement organization in the sense of the Texas Rangers.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. :)

(((Hugs)))

[SAMWolf]

Thanks HiJInx. I just seem to remember that in the 1800's there were Arizona Rangers set up like the Texas Rangers.

Sort of makes you wonder if it's worth the taxpayer money to keep around ceremonial law officers.

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome Snippy.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C. Rain again today.

[HiJinx]

Oh, right! Yeah, the Rangers of the 1800's were the same as the Texas Rangers, but they more or less disbanded shortly after statehood.

Now, the Rangers are a not-for-profit organization.

[SAMWolf]

Texas Rangers

by R. Wayne Edwards

The brave and gallant general
Told the men in his command,
"We're going up to plunder
In the northern Texas land."

When on a distant hilltop
He saw a Texas Ranger.
He dispatched his two best men
Though he saw little danger.

They quickly chased the Texan
To the backside of the hill.
Then the general waited
For the report of their kill.

Two empty saddled horses,
He saw, were all that returned,
So he sent ten men to deal
The sure fate the Ranger earned.

Ten horses without riders
Came retreating from the hill;
So one hundred men dispatched
Just to guarantee the kill.

Soon, one wounded man returned
Tattered, bloody boot to hair.
"It's a trap," the soldier shouted,
"There're TWO Rangers over there."

[snippy_about_it]

There're TWO Rangers over there.

Great punch line!

[SAMWolf]

Come all you Texas Rangers
Wherever you may be
An' I'll tell you of some trouble
That happened unto me

My name is nothin' extry
So that I will not tell
Come all you jolly Rangers
I'm sure I wish you well

T'was at the age of eighteen
I joined the jolly band
We marched from western Texas
Down to th Rio Grande

We saw the smokes arising
It seemed to reach th sky
The very first thought that struck me
Now is my time to die

I thought of my old Mother
Who in tears to me did say,
To you they are all strangers
With me you'd better stay

I thought her old and childish
An' that she did not know
An' my heart was with th Rangers
I was determin'd to go

We saw those Indians comin'
We heard them raise their yell
My feelin's at that moment
No human tongue could tell

We saw the glitterin' rifles
The bullets 'round us hail
My heart did sink within me
My courage almost failed

And as the bugle sounded
Our Captain gave command,
To arms, to arms, he shouted
N' by your horses stand

We fought for five long hours
Before the strife gave o'er
The like of dead and wounded
I never saw before

Nine of the noblest Rangers
That ever rode the west
Were buried by their comrades
With bullets in their breast

[snippy_about_it]

These poems are great. We'll have to do a thread on these mighty Texas Rangers.

[SAMWolf]

Sounds like a plan.

[Iris7]

When getting to know someone, I have the habit of telling stories, both first and second hand. Much character is exposed by reactions to the right story. Frank Hamer is one of my favorites. This Hamer cop story was written up in one of the gun magazines by an editorial and color writer, an ex-sheriff in Texas, forget his name. Very practical, wise old cop.

By the way, you three pass with flying colors.

[snippy_about_it]

Geez Iris7, I hate tests! LOL. Glad I passed though. :)