The stage was set for conflict: The First Congress of the Republic of Texas had arbitrarily designated the Rio Grande as the boundary of the new nation. Yet the historic boundaries of Texas, under Spain and Mexico, had never extended beyond the Nueces River. Mexico, unwilling to acknowledge Texas independence, was even more unwilling to allow this further encroachment upon her territory.

But neither country was in a strong position to substantiate claims; so the conflict developed as a war of futile threats, border raids, and counterraids. Nevertheless, men died—often heroically—and this is the first full story of their bitter struggle. Based on original sources, it is an unbiased account of Texas-Mexican relations in a crucial period.

• Preface
• 1. The Trans-Nueces Country
• 2. Mexican Threats and the Texan Military Establishment: May 1836–December 1838
• 3. Cattle Raids and Frontier Marauders
• 4. Mexican Threats of a New Campaign against Texas
• 5. The Opening of Frontier Trade
• 6. Lamar’s Efforts to Protect the Frontier
• 7. Lamar’s Efforts to Promote Trade
• 8. The Córdova-Flores Incident
• 9. Texan Participation in the Federalist Wars: First Phase
• 10. Mexican Federalists Seek Support in Texas
• 11. Texan Participation in the Federalist Wars: Second Phase
• 12. Formation of the Republic of the Río Grande
• 13. The Republic of the Río Grande on the Frontier of Texas
• 14. Texan Participation in the Federalist Wars: Final Phase
• 15. Invasion Excitement
• 16. The Southwestern Frontier: Late 1840–1841
• 17. Rumors of Invasion
• 18. Mexican Military Commander Requests Armistice
• 19. Capture and Death of Dimitt
• 20. Marauders Prey on Frontier Trade and Life
• 21. Frontier Issues in the Presidential Election of 1841
• 22. Frontier Raids, Threats, and Counter-Threats of Invasion
• 23. The Republic’s Colonization Program
• 24. Growth of a War Spirit in the West
• Epilogue
• Appendix
• Bibliography
• Index