The Scouting Expeditions Of Mcculloch's Texas Rangers; Or, The Summer And Fall Campaign Of The Army Of The United States In Mexico -- 1846; Including Skirmishes With The Mexicans, And An Accurate Detail Of The Storming Of Monterey; Also, The Daring Scouts At Buena Vista Together With Anecdotes, Incidents, Descriptions Of Country, And Sketches Of The Lives Of The Celebrated Partisan Chiefs Hays, Mcculloch, And Walker

REID, JR., SAMUEL C.

Publication: G B Zieber and Co, 1848, Philadelphia

An early firsthand account with the same collation as the original 1847 edition. Embossed cloth, titles stamped in gold gilt on the spine, 251 pp., [blank], frontispiece (picture of General Taylor), preface, illustrated, plates, map.

Basic Texas Books 170 says "This is the best contemporary account of the Texas Rangers in the northern campaigns of the Mexican War. Written by a Louisiana lawyer who served with the rangers under Jack Hays and Ben McCulloch, it is an excellent account of one of the most rambunctious military forces ever assembled out of Texas. Jeff Dykes called it 'a highly entertaining eyewitness account, based on Reid's field diary, of the activities of Gen. Taylor's army. McCulloch's Texas Rangers were the eyes and ears of Taylor and the intelligence they provided had much to do with his success.' Of this group of Rangers, W. P. Webb said: 'Their part was to be the first in action, the last out; to fight, not to parley."

The author, who was an officer in the Rangers, describes the dangerous and often grueling expeditions undertaken by McCulloch’s unit in the wild and rugged terrain of Texas. The narrative highlights the Rangers’ skill in scouting, their interactions with Native American groups, and their role in the broader struggle for Texas independence and security. Reid’s work also serves as a tribute to the bravery, tenacity, and leadership of McCulloch, painting a vivid picture of frontier life and military tactics during this turbulent period in Texas history.

Light wear to the spine ends and corners, foxed and toned throughout, else a very good, tight copy of a very desirable book. Housed in a quarter leather and cloth clamshell case with raised bands and titles stamped in gilt on the spine.