The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas
The early years of the Republic of Texas, a period rife with both opportunity and instability, witnessed the eruption of a violent and protracted conflict known as the Regulator-Moderator War. This internecine struggle, born from a volatile mix of land disputes, rampant lawlessness, and vigilante justice, engulfed several counties in East Texas, leaving a lasting scar on the region’s history. The seeds of this conflict were sown in a neglected borderland, a haven for outlaws and opportunists, where the long arm of the law struggled to reach.
For years, the area straddling the boundary between Spanish, Mexican, and later Texan jurisdiction, had been largely ignored. This neglect fostered an environment where land fraud, cattle rustling, and murder became commonplace. The vast distances, coupled with a sparse population and limited resources, made it difficult for authorities to maintain order. This power vacuum created a breeding ground for criminal activity and a culture of self-reliance, where individuals often took the law into their own hands.
As the Republic of Texas struggled to establish its authority, the escalating crime rate in East Texas prompted a group of citizens to form a vigilante organization known as the "Regulators." Their stated goal was to restore order and punish wrongdoers. However, their methods were often brutal and indiscriminate, blurring the line between justice and vengeance. This heavy-handed approach, intended to quell the lawlessness, inadvertently sparked further conflict, ultimately leading to the Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas.
In response to the Regulators’ excesses, a counter-vigilante group emerged, calling themselves the "Moderators." This faction aimed to temper the Regulators’ actions and ensure a more balanced application of justice. The formation of the Moderators marked a significant escalation in the conflict, transforming it from a localized effort to combat crime into a full-blown feud that pitted neighbor against neighbor. The escalating tensions, fueled by mutual distrust and accusations of wrongdoing, quickly spread beyond the initial area, drawing in sympathizers from surrounding counties. The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas was no longer confined to a small area.
The "war," as it came to be known, primarily affected Harrison and Shelby Counties, but its reach extended into Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and other East Texas counties. The lines between right and wrong became increasingly blurred as both factions engaged in acts of violence and intimidation. The escalating conflict destabilized the region, undermining the authority of the Republic of Texas and creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas challenged the fragile peace of the newly formed republic.
Leading the Regulators were Charles W. Jackson and Charles Watt Moorman, figures whose own pasts were shrouded in controversy. The initial spark for the conflict can be traced back to a dispute between Joseph Goodbread and Sheriff Alfred George in 1840. When Sheriff George sought the assistance of Charles Jackson, the situation escalated dramatically, culminating in Jackson shooting and killing Goodbread. The irony of the situation was not lost on many: Jackson, a former Mississippi riverboat captain, was himself a fugitive from Louisiana. Despite his own questionable past, Jackson was arrested for Goodbread’s killing but was released pending trial. This incident, coupled with the prevailing lawlessness, prompted Jackson to organize the Regulators, aiming to rid the area of cattle rustling and other criminal activities. The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas had begun with a single act of violence.
The Moderators, in turn, were led by Edward Merchant, John M. Bradley, and Deputy Sheriff James J. Cravens. Their formation was a direct response to the Regulators’ increasingly extreme methods. The Moderators sought to provide a check on the Regulators’ power and ensure that justice was administered fairly. The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas was a battle for control of justice in a lawless land.
On July 12, 1841, Charles Jackson’s trial for the killing of Goodbread was scheduled to take place before Judge John M. Hansford in Harrison County. However, the trial was doomed from the start. Judge Hansford, known to be a friend of Goodbread and a supporter of the Moderator faction, was viewed with suspicion by Jackson’s allies. Fearing that Jackson would not receive a fair trial, his supporters arrived at the courthouse heavily armed. The sight of the armed men so intimidated Judge Hansford that he fled the courthouse, leaving behind a note for the local sheriff stating his unwillingness to risk his life amidst what he perceived as a gathering of "bravos and hired assassins." The trial ended before it even began, further inflaming the tensions between the two factions.
This incident enraged the Moderators, who felt that Jackson had escaped justice. They retaliated by ambushing and killing Jackson and an innocent bystander named Lauer. This act of violence marked a significant escalation in the conflict, pushing the region closer to all-out war. The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas saw a cycle of violence and revenge.
In response to Jackson’s death, the Regulators, now led by Charles Watt Moorman, unleashed a wave of terror across Panola and Harrison counties. Moorman, allegedly a fugitive from Mississippi, led his men in hanging Moderators and driving others out of the area. The group swelled in numbers, leading Moorman to entertain the idea of overthrowing the Texas government and declaring himself dictator. The residents of East Texas lived in constant fear, unsure of who to trust or where to turn for help.
In October 1841, Moorman led a party to avenge the Jackson-Lauer killing, surprising the assassins 25 miles north of Crockett. After "arresting" the McFadden brothers, all but the youngest were hanged, showcasing the brutality of the conflict.
Meanwhile, articles of impeachment had been filed against Judge John Hansford for failing to bring Jackson to trial. On January 19, 1842, Hansford left office to escape impeachment and retired to his farm near Jonesville. However, his past actions continued to haunt him. Two years later, a mob of Regulators appeared at his house, demanding possession of some slaves he held under a writ of sequestration. When Hansford refused to hand over the slaves, the Regulators killed him, demonstrating the ruthlessness that characterized the feud.
In August 1844, the conflict reached a boiling point when more than 200 Moderators attacked approximately 60 Regulators near Shelbyville in what became known as the Church Hill Battle. This large-scale confrontation highlighted the intensity of the conflict and the deep-seated animosity between the two factions.
Finally, Texas President Sam Houston had had enough. Initially, Houston had expressed a laissez-faire attitude towards the conflict, suggesting that Shelby County, Tenaha, and Terrapin Neck should be declared independent governments and allowed to "fight it out." However, as Houston focused on annexing the Republic of Texas with the United States, the ongoing civil war in East Texas became a major impediment. On August 15, 1844, he ordered the state militia to Shelby County to end the "war."
Despite some initial resistance from both sides, the overwhelming force of the Republic’s militia brought an end to the conflict. Leaders from both factions were arrested, including Charles Watt Moorman. Some years later, after his release, Moorman was shot and killed in Louisiana in 1850, bringing a final, violent end to his involvement in the Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas. The war, though ended, left a legacy of distrust and violence in the region.