Leander H. McNelly
Burton, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in Virginia; was valiant Confederate soldier. In 1870, appointed one of four State Police captains by Gov. E. J. Davis. Then with Texas Rangers, McNelly was assigned a special force, "The Washington County Volunteer MiIitia," to mediate the Sutton-Taylor feud. Company then assigned to Rio Grande border to control international cattle thieves in "Las Cuevas War." His men always proudly called themselves, "Little McNellys."
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Virginia-born Leander H. McNelly served as a Confederate soldier before Reconstruction Governor E. J. Davis named him one of four captains of the Texas State Police in 1870. Later, as a Texas Ranger, McNelly commanded a special force—the Washington County Volunteer Militia—sent to quell the violent Sutton-Taylor feud. He then took his men, who proudly called themselves the "Little McNellys," to the Rio Grande to fight cross-border cattle raiders in the so-called Las Cuevas War.
Why it matters
McNelly became one of the legendary Texas Ranger captains of the frontier era, embodying the hard and controversial lawman's role along a lawless post-Civil War border.
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Related people
- · Leander H. McNelly
- · E. J. Davis
Related events
- · Sutton-Taylor feud
- · Las Cuevas War
Themes & tags
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