One thing that I think many have overlooked is the influx of European immigrants that had absolutely no clue as to the proper handling of firearms, let alone tactics, or any knowledge of the locals. Many left Europe to escape military conscription. There arriving in Texas in the 1840's.
Sure there were the Jager and Scheutzen veriens from Germany and many of these folks had military backgrounds. But the bulk on the newbies coming in hadn't a clue. The Poles, Wends, Moravians, Czechs, even those from the British Isles. All they had been given was the hype of the speculators.
Survey the names of the the individuals you mentioned above. The descendants of these people had been in North America 150, 175, and some even 200 years prior to coming to Texas. The use of weaponry was second nature to these individuals. There's your handful!
Another thing is population centers in the republic of the 1840's was in the eastern portion of the state. Native concerns were a small matter there. The frontier that we've been discussing, for the most part, is that area 40 miles either side of the current IH 35 corridor which was sparcely populated by white folks.
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Last edited by kaywoodie; 02/06/12.
