| Texian Militia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 5 Aug 1823 – 2 Oct 1835 |
| Allegiance | First Mexican Empire, 1823 Provisional Government, 1823–1824 First Mexican Republic, 1824–1835 Texian Government, 1835 |
| Type | Militia |
| Role | Desert warfare Force protection Guerrilla warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Screening Skirmishers Tracking |
| Size | ~300 at peak |
| Part of |
|
| Engagements | Guerilla Conflicts
Insurrection Texas Revolution |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | |
The Texian Militia was the militia forces of Texian colonists in the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas from 1823 to 1835 and the inaugurate force of the Texas Military.[1] It was established by Stephen F. Austin on August 5, 1823 for defense of the Old Three Hundred colonists against the Karankawa, Comanche, and Cherokee tribes; among others.[2] Its most notable unit, the Texas Rangers, remained in continuous service of Texas Military Forces until 1935.
The Texian Militia sparked the Texas Revolution at the Battle of Velasco and became legendary at the Battle of Gonzales (the "Lexington of Texas") which marked its transition to the Texian Army and Texian Navy. Their legend continued at the Battle of the Alamo as the only relief force to answer the To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World letter. The Texian Militia comprised 22% of the Texian Army service members who fought until the Battle of San Jacinto, helping the Texian Government win independence from the Centralist Republic of Mexico on May 14, 1836 at the Treaties of Velasco.[3]
- ^ Weber, David J. (1982). The Mexican Frontier, 1821–1846: The American Southwest Under Mexico (Histories of the American Frontier Series). University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 978-0826306036.
- ^ Cox, Mike (2008). The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821–1900. Tom Doherty Associates. ISBN 978-1429941426.
- ^ Lack, Paul D. (1992). The Texas Revolutionary Experience: A Political and Social History, 1835–1836. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 978-0890964972.