Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers

Supply and Demand

The earliest members of the Texas Rangers were expected to bring their own gear to the field, including horses and weapons. There were times when ranger service was sporadic, with volunteers called up for a short period of time only when in demand. As they became a more established organization, rangers were able to purchase supplies. Quartermaster records offer insight into the kinds of rations used on missions and the sorts of purchases rangers made, such as new horseshoes, rifle repairs, and coffee.

Best Route for the Movements of Troops from San Antonio to El Paso, 1865. Map collection, Map number 01004k. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Map depicts the military route, roads, rivers, creeks, hills, waterholes, forts, towns, and missions. Includes information about available supplies and water along the route.

“Ranger chuckwagon,” undated. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/070-952. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

A chuckwagon like this would have been used to store and transport food and cooking equipment while the rangers travelled across the frontier.

Dudley White, horse and range equipment, April 8, 1958. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112-R-479-008. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Voucher number 11, Fire Arms, Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Pistols, Ranger Force, October 13, 1908. Vouchers, Quartermaster records, Ranger Force records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1192. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Vouchers like this one show the type of weapons rangers used. Colt pistols have been used by the Texas Rangers throughout their history.

Voucher number 66, H.B. Young and Bro, Supplies, Company D. Ranger Force, December 31, 1908. Vouchers, Quartermaster records, Ranger Force records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1192. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Vouchers like this one show the types of supplies needed by the Texas Rangers. Some everyday items of note include coffee, sugar, and pickles.

List of supplies paid for by Captain John C. Hays between February and June 1845, undated. Quartermaster Records, 1845: San Antonio Ranging Corps, Republic Ranger Quartermaster records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1152. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Submitted to Quartermaster for reimbursement for supplies purchased by Captain Hays. Supplies were often purchased and paid for locally by captains.

Receipt of payment by Capt. John C. Hays for new horseshoes, August 9, 1845. Quartermaster Records, 1845: San Antonio Ranging Corps, Republic Ranger Quartermaster records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1152. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

This receipt shows the payment owed to Captain Hays for his payment of new horseshoes for the Ranging Corps horses in February, April, and August of 1845.

Receipt of payment by Capt. John C. Hays for repairs and new parts for rifles and five shooters, August 9, 1845. Quartermaster Records, 1845: San Antonio Ranging Corps, Republic Ranger Quartermaster records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1152. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

This receipt shows payment owed to Captain Hays for repairs to rifles and five shooters for the Ranging Corps and repairing arms for Native Americans.

List of supplies in camp of Company B, June 1, 1877. Correspondence, 1877, Correspondence, Frontier Battalion records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1158A. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Supplies companies needed included food supplies like coffee and beans, and household supplies like candles and soap. The quartermaster was responsible for managing accounts and supplies.

Cooper Double Action Pistol, Ranger, 1863-1869. Artifacts collection, ATF0461. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Double-action pistol. Patent # 3381. Barrel address markings: “Cooper Firearms Mfg. Co., Frankford, Philadelphia, PA. Patent January 7, 1851, April 25, 1851, September 4, 1860, September 1, 1863, September 22, 1863.”

Colt Navy Pistol, Ranger, 1851. Artifacts collection, ATF0459. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Cap and ball model, with octagonal barrel. Patent # 97885. Etched on the barrel: “Address Sam Colt, Hartford CT, and Engaged May 16, 1843.”

Holster, 1880-1930. Artifacts collection, ATF0258. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Holster, Ranger. Brown leather. Front has the imprint of a cactus. Stamped on the back: 38 102.

Return from Captain Wm. Tobin, Texas Volunteers, January 12, 1860. Vouchers, 1856, 1859-1860, Vouchers, Quartermaster records, Pre-Civil War Ranger records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1242. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

This voucher includes cooking supplies like camp kettles and coffee pots, necessities like mules and saddles, and services like blacksmithing.

Captain Callahan Company receipt for supplies, January 5, 1856. Vouchers, 1856, 1859-1860, Vouchers, Quartermaster records, Pre-Civil War Ranger records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1242. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

This voucher includes necessities like medicine and a hospital tent. Ranger companies had to be self-sufficient out on their own.

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