The Somervell and Mier Expeditions of 1842, culminating in the famous "black bean episode" in which Texas prisoners drew white or black beans to determine who would be executed by their Mexican captors, still capture the public imagination in Texas. But were the Texans really martyrs in a glorious cause, or undisciplined soldiers defying their own government? How did the Mier Expedition affect the border disputes between the Texas Republic and Mexico? What role did Texas President Sam Houston play? These are the questions that Sam Haynes addresses in this very readable book, which includes many dramatic excerpts from the diaries and letters of expedition participants.

Sam W. Haynes is Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Arlington.

• Preface
• 1. "Carthage Must Be Destroyed"
• 2. The Vásquez and Woll Incursions
• 3. The Southwestern Army of Operations
• 4. The March to Laredo
• 5. The Battle of Mier
• 6. "Our National Calamity"
• 7. The Black Bean Episode
• 8. "There Is No Hope of Release"
• 9. "A Mysterious Silence"
• 10. "A Fragile Peace"
• 11. The Annexation Crisis
• 12. Epilogue
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index