Page 10 - The Dispatch December 2019

Story By: Bob Seyller
Texas Military Department Public Affairs

In the early days of Texas, the Rangers provided security
and rule of law. However, as Texas grew, the Rangers also
grew in both size and mission. During the Texas Revolu-
tion, the force formalized from a security force for settlers
to well-trained soldiers and finally into lawmen delivering
justice to an untamed frontier. No matter their role, it was
clear: they were a military force. Nearly 100 years after the
Texas Revolution, this connection would lead to a Rang-
er’s first term as adjutant general when Brig. Gen. William
Sterling took office.

Born in Belton, Texas, near the turn of the century, Sterling
grew up on his family’s ranch. It was there where Sterling
learned how to ride, forage and shoot, before enrolling
in Texas A&M University for courses in animal husbandry.
Studying for two years, Sterling never attained his degree.
Instead, he left to put his knowledge to use on ranches
throughout Hidalgo County. Sterling had worked toward a
life of raising cattle and tending herds. However, Sterling’s
career would soon change as violence from the revolution
in Mexico spilled across the Rio Grande.

In 1915, as World War I raged across Europe, another war
was being waged closer to Texas. Beyond the Rio Grande,
violence spread throughout Mexico in a bloody civil war.
At the height of the conflict, Mexican forces raided Ameri-
can cities and military outposts, incurring the wrath of the Fear of the Mexican reoccupation plot was growing as the
famous Gen. John J. Pershing and his 10,000-man punitive Zimmerman Telegram arrived, both at the height of the
expedition. U.S. march to World War I. The telegram offered Mexico
help in conquering most of the Western United States in
As Pershing pushed deeper into the heart of Mexico, exchange for allying with Germany and possibly Japan.
hunting Gen. Francisco Pancho Villa, violence continued The plot called for the extermination of all Anglo men over
along the Texas border. There, Sterling found his calling 16 and any Latino that fought against Mexico. Texas’ re-
as a scout and reserve member of the United States 3rd sponse to this threat came from a combination of soldiers,
Cavalry Regiment and Texas Rangers. Working closely with rangers and deputized citizens who left nearly 1,000 of the
both groups, Sterling saw firsthand the slaughter of more Mexican seditionists dead.
than 500 Texans at the hands of Mexican troops. As the
raids worsened, word spread of the “Plan of San Diego,” a As the Texas border came under control, the United States
plot that called for race riots between Anglos and Tejanos. prepared to join the European war effort. Sterling, like
These riots were to be ignited by bloody incursions from many Americans, joined this effort, commissioning with
Mexican seditionists. Supporters of the plan believed the the Texas Infantry as a second lieutenant. Though he nev-
riots would eventually force America to return the South- er served overseas, Sterling's time with cavalrymen on the
western states to Mexican control. border helped him prepare newly enlisted soldiers for the
war.

10 TheDISPATCH December 2019