List of conflicts involving the Texas Military

The history of conflicts involving the Texas Military spans over two centuries, from 1823 to present, under the command authority (the ultimate source of lawful military orders) of four governments including the Texas governments (3), American government, Mexican government, and Confederate government.

Since 1823, Texas forces have undergone many re-designations and reorganizations. For example, the Texas Rangers were a branch of the Texas Military Forces from 1823 to 1935 providing cavalry, special operations, and military police capabilities. Administrative control (ADCON) of the Texas Rangers was transferred from the Texas Military Department to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1935 where they now perform duties similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for Texas as a State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The following list of conflicts reflects duty at the time as a military unit.

Conflicts in this list may apply to several categories, but they've been generally organized by the preponderance of the mission. For example, the Laredo Smallpox Riot was a civil disorder and emergency management conflict, and Operation Border Star is both a border control and counter-drug conflict.

List Key
Casualty key: KIA (killed in action), WIA (wounded in action), MIA (missing in action), DIA (deserted in action), POW (prisoner of war)

Outcome key:


 * Conventional Warfare / Low-intensity Conflict: Strategic, Tactical, Moral, Pyrrhic victory, or loss.
 * Military Operations Other Than War: accomplished or failure.

Texas governments
This list includes conflicts under the command authority of the Colony of Texas, Republic of Texas, and State of Texas.

Legal Authority
As a colony in Mexico from 1823 to 1835, the Texas Military was legally empowered by Agustín de Iturbide and the Coahuila y Tejas legislature to "organize the colonists into a body of militia to preserve tranquility." Operations were conducted under command of Stephen F. Austin.

As a sovereign republic from 1835 to 1845, the Texas Military was legally empowered by Article 1 of the Consultation and Article 2, Section 6 of Constitution of the Republic of Texas "to execute the law, to suppress insurrections, and repel invasion." Operations were conducted under command of the War Department and Adjutant General Department.

As a state of America from 1845–present, the Texas Military is legally empowered by Title 32 of the United States Code and Article 4, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Texas to "execute the laws of the state, to suppress insurrections, and to repel invasions". Operations are conducted under command of the Adjutant General Department and Texas Military Department.

Border control
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the Texas government. For related conflicts commanded by the American government, see Border control.

Counterdrug
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the Texas government. For related conflicts commanded by the American government, see War on Drugs.

United States of America government
This list includes conflicts under the command authority of the United States of America.

Legal Authority
Title 10 of the United States Code legally empowers the United States government to mobilize Texas Military Forces when more resources are needed than available in the United States Armed Forces for war, national emergency, or national security. Operations are conducted under command of the United States Department of Defense.

Border control
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the American government. For related conflicts commanded by the Texas government, see Border control.

Mexican War
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the American government. For related conflicts commanded by the Texas government, see Invasions / Incursions.

Mexican Border War
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the American government. For related conflicts commanded by the Texas government, see Invasions / Incursions.

War on Drugs
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the American government. For related conflicts commanded by the Texas government, see Counterdrug.

United Mexican States government
This list includes conflicts under the command authority of the United Mexican States (First Mexican Republic) government.

Legal Authority
Faculty 18 and 19, Section 5, Title 3 of the 1824 Constitution of Mexico legally empowered the First Mexican Republic government to mobilize Texas Military Forces. Operations were conducted under command of the Mexican Army.

Confederate States of America government
This list includes conflicts under the command authority of the Confederate States of America.

Legal Authority
The First, Second, and Third Conscription Acts of the 1st Confederate States Congress legally empowered the Confederate States government to mobilize Texas Military Forces. Operations were conducted under command of the Confederate States War Department.

American Civil War
Note: These conflicts are commanded by the Confederate government. For related conflicts commanded by the Texas government, see Invasions / Incursions.