Regulator–Moderator War

Background

A strip of land between Spanish Texas and the Louisiana Territory, called the Sabine Free State or the Neutral Ground, was left lawless because the United States and Spain could not agree on a boundary. This lawlessness spread into adjacent East Texas. Even after the Adams–Onís Treaty and Mexican independence, the region remained wild and uncontrolled.

War

The conflict involved Harrison and Shelby counties and later Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and other East Texas counties. It stemmed from land frauds, cattle rustling, barn burnings, and revenge killings. After Charles W. Jackson, a fugitive from Louisiana justice, shot Joseph Goodbread at Shelbyville in 1840, Jackson organized a militia called the Regulators to prevent cattle rustling. The Moderators, led by Edward Merchant, formed to moderate the Regulators.

Open hostilities broke out, with killings and house burnings. Jackson and a companion were ambushed and killed by Moderators; Charles Moorman replaced Jackson. Moorman led a party to avenge them, surprising the assassins north of Crockett. The McFaddens were tried and hanged for the Jackson-Lauer killing.

In summer 1844, the Moderators renamed themselves the Reformers, excluded Bradley, elected James J. Cravens, and planned to occupy Shelbyville. President Sam Houston sent George W. Terrell to investigate; Terrell wrote that society seemed about to dissolve into its original elements.

Aftermath

Though the Texas government declared the feud over in 1844 after capturing its leaders, killings dragged on. In 1847, Moderator Wilkerson poisoned drinks at his daughter’s wedding, making over 60 Regulators ill and killing about ten. The Regulators retaliated by lynching him.

The conflict only truly paused when both sides joined Captain L. H. Mobitt’s company during the Mexican–American War. Sheriff John J. Kennedy and Judge Joseph U. Fields of Harrison County helped restore order. Regulator chief Charles W. Moorman was killed in 1850.