The Regulator-Moderator War of East Texas

Texas Vigilantes

Texas Vigilantes

The first significant feud to break out in Texas was born during Texas’ days as a republic. For years, Spanish, Mexican, and Texas authorities had ignored a strip of land bordering Louisiana and Mexico in East Texas. By the time Texas became a republic, the swatch of land had developed into a lawless place where land frauds, cattle rustlers, and killings were common.

In an attempt to control the rampant crime, a group of vigilantes calling themselves the “Regulators” formed. Still, this group was so extreme in their attempts to stop crimes that another group of counter-vigilantes soon formed to “moderate” the Regulators. Before long, each faction grew to include sympathizers from miles away, spreading the “war,” primarily in Harrison and Shelby Counties, to involve Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and other East Texas Counties.

Regulators-Moderators War Map

Regulators-Moderators War Map

Leading the “Regulators” were Charles W. Jackson and Charles Watt Moorman. The affair began with a dispute between Joseph Goodbread and Sheriff Alfred George in 1840. When the sheriff asked for Charles Jackson’s assistance, Jackson shot and killed Goodbread. Ironically, Jackson, a former Mississippi riverboat captain, was a fugitive himself from Louisiana. Arrested for Goodbread’s killing, Jackson was released pending a trial. Sometime later, he organized the Regulators to rid the area of cattle rustling. Soon afterward, the Moderators were formed, with principal leaders Edward Merchant, John M. Bradley, and Deputy Sheriff James J. Cravens.

On July 12, 1841, Charles Jackson’s trial for the killing of Goodbread was scheduled before Judge John M. Hansford in Harrison County, Texas. Hansford had been a friend of Goodbread’s and was a well-known supporter of the Moderator faction. Jackson’s friends, figuring that the man would not get a fair trial before Judge Hansford, arrived at the courthouse armed to the teeth. When Hansford saw the armed men, he fled the courthouse, leaving a note for the local sheriff stating: “I am unwilling to risk my person in the courthouse any longer when I see myself surrounded by bravos and hired assassins.” The trial ended before it even began.

Charles Watt Moorman

Charles Watt Moorman

This enraged the Moderators, who soon took matters into their own hands, ambushing and killing Jackson and an innocent bystander named Lauer. Afterward, the violence escalated when the Regulators burned the homes of two families siding with the Moderators. Charles Watt Moorman, allegedly a fugitive from Mississippi, now led the Regulators, spreading the reign of terror north into Panola and Harrison counties, hanging Moderators, and driving others out of the area. The group soon numbered so many men that Moorman considered overthrowing the Texas government and declaring himself the dictator. In the meantime, residents were beginning to live in constant fear.

In October 1841, Moorman led a party to avenge the Jackson-Lauer killing, surprising the assassins 25 miles north of Crockett. “Arresting” the McFadden brothers, all were hanged except for the youngest brother.

In the meantime, 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 the impeachment and retired to his farm near Jonesville. 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.

In August 1844, more than 200 Moderators attacked some 60 Regulators near Shelbyville in what became known as the Church Hill Battle.

Finally, Texas President Sam Houston had had enough. Before this time, Houston had stated: “I think it advisable to declare Shelby County, Tenaha, and Terrapin Neck free and independent governments and let them fight it out.” However, Houston was now working to annex the Republic of Texas with the United States. The civil war in east Texas was not helping matters, and on August 15, 1844, he ordered the state militia to Shelby County to end the “war.”

Texas President Samuel Houston

Texas President Samuel Houston

There was some initial resistance from both sides, but the show of force by the Republic put an end to the conflict. Leaders from both sides were arrested, including Charles Watt Moorman. Some years later, after his release, Moorman was shot and killed in Louisiana in 1850.

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated April 2023.