"Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers, by Samuel C. Reid...is the most entertaining work of the kind that has come under our view...gives an accurate account of the scouting expeditions of McCulloch's Rangers...including the skirmishes with the Indians...sketches of the lives of those celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker." -Natchez Weekly Courier, March 22, 1848
"Samuel Chester Reid...joined Captain Ben McCulloch's Texas Rangers company, which Taylor assigned to advanced scouting duties. A habitual diarist, Reid described the unit's early war experiences...authored The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers. The highly popular book went through four printings and helped add to the growing national image of McCulloch and the Texas Rangers." -War with Mexico: America's Reporters Cover the Battlefront (2010)
"Reid goes on to tell that at one time Hays saved himself from...a tight place in a fight with the Indians near Enchanted Rock that they became more convinced than ever that 'Devil Jack' bore a charmed life." -Legends of Texas (1924)
Why were the Texas Rangers under Captain McCullough specifically chosen to conduct scouting missions deep into Mexican territory in 1846?
In 1848 Samuel Chester Reid (1818-1897) would publish an exciting account of his scouting experiences with Captain McCulloch's detachment of Texas Rangers in his book titled "Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers." It is this book of 330 pages that has been republished here for the convenience of the interested reader.
In introducing his book, Reid writes:
"The author of the following pages, participating in the enthusiastic feeling that prevailed on the reception of the news from Mexico of the battles of 'Palo Alto' and 'Resaca de la Palma,' was induced to join the volunteers called into service, and left New Orleans as adjutant of one of the regiments of Louisiana volunteers. Soon after his arrival at Brazos St. Jago, becoming dissatisfied with his position, and feeling confident that his regiment would be kept in the rear to garrison the different posts, he resigned his rank, and proceeded to Matamoras, where he joined the company of Texas Rangers, commanded by Capt. Benjamin McCulloch, which was detached from Col. Hays's regiment, and kept for scouting service by General Taylor. Long habituated to writing a journal, the author kept up his notes while in Mexico, which he has been induced to give to the public, at the solicitation of his friends."
Timeline of the author's life:
1818, Oct. 21: Born, New York, N.Y.
1838: Participated in United States government survey of Ohio River
1839: Settled in Natchez, Miss., and studied law under John A. Quitman
1841: Admitted to the Mississippi bar
1844: Admitted to the Louisiana bar
1846: Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court bar
1846 - 1848 : Served in the Texas Rangers under Ben McCulloch during the Mexican War
1847: Published The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers
1849: Editor, New Orleans Picayune, New Orleans, La.
1857: Declined invitation from James Buchanan to be ambassador to Italy
1861: Candidate for Confederate Congress from Louisiana
1861 - 1865 : Confederate war correspondent
1863: Published Great Battle of Chicamauga!,
1874: Founded Mississippi Valley & Brazil Steamship Co., St. Louis, Mo.
1897, Aug. 13: Died, Washington, D.C.
