The Adventures of Big-Foot Wallace: The Texas Ranger and Hunter

by John Crittenden Duval

At six foot two inches and two hundred and forty pounds, Big-Foot Wallace cut a formidable figure and certainly made a major impact on the early history of Texas. As a nineteen year old he had heard that one of his brothers had been killed in the Battle of Goliad, an early confrontation in the Texan war of independence with Mexico, and swore to travel West to “take pay of the Mexicans” for his brother’s death. In the following years he fought time and again against the Mexicans for the newly formed Republic of Texas and saw action at Salado Creek, Hondo River and during the Mier Campaign. After returning for the wars in Mexico he abandoned the Texan military and joined the Texas Rangers under the leadership of John Coffee Hays and served for a number of years defending Texans against Native American and border bandits along the frontier. This riotous narrative of the adventures of one of the saltiest and most individualistic pioneer Indian fighters that the state ever produced is told in a leisurely, satirical fashion that reflects a way of life long since lost. Duval's chronicle of one of Texas' greatest adventurers is filled with Wallace's humor and colorful speech. Wallace emerges from the book in all his vigor and robustness, and the reader is transported to a rugged, uncultivated frontier where a few men who were rough enough were carving out a new empire. The flavor and the spirit of early Texas have been captured for countless readers by John C. Duval's Big Foot Wallace. About one-fourth of Big Foot Wallace is devoted to a detailed account of Wallace's experiences in the Mier Expedition. The remainder of the book deals with his adventures on the frontiers of Texas as an Indian fighter, a soldier of fortune, and a member of the first company of Rangers. John C. Duval, the author of Big Foot Wallace, has been called the first man of letters in Texas. Earlier Texans devoted their time to writing about politics and land, but Duval wrote of the frontier and its people with a clarity of perception equaled by few writers in any period. Duval was a man of the camp and range. Civilization did not fit him very well, and he spent much of his time in the wilderness alone. Like his friend and companion, Big Foot Wallace, Duval was an adventurer whose experiences were varied and exciting. In Big Foot Wallace Duval relates a number of his experiences that had been shared with Wallace. Writing late in life, Duval set down memories of events that had mellowed with time. He strove for pictorial and dramatic effects, not historical accuracy. Still Big Foot Wallace has been acclaimed by historians for its amazing accuracy. This book was published in 1870. Duval passed away in 1897 and Wallace in 1899.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Westerns, Biography Memoir, Adventure

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1870

About the author

John Crittenden Duval (1816–1897) was an American writer of Texas literature. He has been noted as being the first Texas man of letters and was dubbed the "Father of Texas Literature" by J. Frank Dobie. His Early Times in Texas was initially published serially in 1867 in Burke's Weekly (Macon, Georgia) and was finally published in book form in 1892. The story, which became a Texas classic, recounted Duval's escape from the Goliad Massacre, in which his own brother Burr H. Duval was killed, as well as other tales.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Chad A. Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old west at its best

Any fan of westerns or historical fiction will enjoy this book. There are some racial slurs in the book so be prepared for those. Entertaining, exciting and educational.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts very slow. Tenderfoot comes to Texas. Kills a deer and a bear. Gets lost. Kills an Indian. Gets captured and then adopted by a bereaved squaw. All told in a super laid-back style, like it was normal.

It picks-up in the middle, with the Mier Expedition. One of several/many clashes between Texas and Mexico. Hundreds of Texans and allies were held in Mexico for well over a year, in unhappy conditions. Some escaped. Santa Anna ordered all the escapees to be executed, but compromised for decimation, a 1 in 10 lottery: 17 black beans were put in a pot of white beans, and the men who drew black beans were executed. Much myth-making here. Although the book was written to sell, as entertainment, this passage is apparently as historical as we can expect, seen through the memory of an old man.

Along the way BigFoot insults almost everybody, in words we do not use today. He made deals with some indians but if they broke the pact he punished them with insults and bullets. Twice he goes off on "Negros" (not his word). Then on and on about greasers (Mexicans); I know that long imprisonment does not make friends but he really gets into his subject. Later he goes back East and doesn't like everybody there (and soon returns to Texas), but not in such detail as Indians, Negros, and Mexicans.

Still in all, one angle of the complexities of Texas history, and worth reading for background flavor.

[Andy Herzfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Duval has thoroughly researched Big-Foot Wallace a legendary Texas Ranger. He writes this book as if Big-Foot is telling the story and he is his own story. This is a gritty, determined hard charging frontiersman who fought Indians, Mexicans and Outlaws. This takes place before the Texas Rangers were formally established back then a group of capable men were rounded up to chase down the horse thieves or whoever it may be. Great detail in the struggles and the fights with Mexico and being a prisoner of the Mexican Army. Lots of thirst and heat and endless desert. He comes out on top and there is a surprising amount of really hilarious humor in this book that keeps you laughing as Big Foot tells on himself and others. Excellent book.

[Jason Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big-Foot Wallace admittedly liked to "stretch the blanket" when telling stories, but also was known as a fundamentally honest person. The result is a charming and informative autobiographical series of narratives that give a real insight into the life and adventures of a Texas Ranger that should be taken with a grain of salt.
The account is certainly entertaining, and I recognize it as source material for McMurtry's Lonesome Dove series that I am also rereading and watching.
The reader should note that Wallace has 19th century southern and frontier sensibilities and would be classified a racist in today's world, but it should be remembered that many of us are classified as racists, so there is that.
Anyone who is interested in the life and times of the True West, this is a "must read."

[Doug Adamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting read that provokes a number of reactions. One can empathize with the suffering and hardship Wallace endured when captured by the Mexican army when he and 200 others tried to capture the town of Mier. Much misery ensued. One wants to laugh with/at Wallace's seeming naiveté when travelling from Texas back to Lexington, Virginia. One is dismayed, if not appalled at the casual and repeated racism on the part of Wallace against Blacks, Mexicans, and Indians. At times, one wonders how true some of the tales are. Let the reader beware.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lengthy vignettes of a brief interlude in time now passed.

This is not a history book nor a scholarly writing. The value of this book is in the descriptions of events that are obviously enhanced for reader enjoyment. An entertaining read.

[LyleStiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wuz good readin'

This is one of those books that you can not put down. If you love real history and the early American west, this is for you. Told in the way of a adventurous old timmer, spinning a yarn about his younger days, over a campfire under the stars.

[Jennings Reveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun listening to Big Foot. I would have loved to meet him.

Probably tells the story of the Wild West as it really was. One can only imagine the hostility felt as the Indians saw their way of life disappearing.

[Brenda Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to read about the early days of the Republic of Texas, but Wallace is also very racist.

[John Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventure is as adventure was

As I stand on a pair of size 13's the trials of big-foot are not unfamiliar to me. The adventures though are truly a big deal...

[Bigbill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The language and attitude was a refreshing change. Enjoyed learning more about "Big-Foot" and the history of Teas that he imparted in this book.

[Doris Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but too racist for me.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. I typically like true stories over fiction. It was interesting to hear from this perspective.

[Mark Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A right fun read and historical too

I could not put this yarn down. Duval is correct about the intresting life Bigfoot Wallace lived in early Texas.

[Trey Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Well written and a great read. Good for anyone interested in the lore of the old west. I highly recommend.

[Kenneth W Ortensie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read.

I just enjoyed reading this book and following the many adventures of Big Foot. Big Foot hand at farming is even true today in Texas.

[Jonno · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastical tale. Based in a little truth. It was amusing and ironic to read Munchausen's name in the book!

[linda stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This is about as honest and down to earth as you can get. Loved the rhetoric. Loved the humor. Hated for it to end.

[Babs M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this type of books and of course Big Foot is legend.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable. Very entertaining. Some absolutely wild adventure history here. Surprised I haven’t heard this legend before. Great read., Better than the rating suggests

[MICHAEL D. CASTLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review comes from my brother-in-law, who is doing the reading of this non-fiction book. He reads primarily non-fiction, mostly military history genre. As he was finished reading about USMC Col. Chesty Puller, he wanted something a bit different, but still of historical significance, so I picked this book out for him. He is a fairly common reader, as far as speed goes, and is moving rapidly through this book. He really likes it, and I can hear him chuckling from time to time as he moves through this book on Ranger Wallace. He tells me this is a fascinating history of a part of American history of which he has marginal knowledge or experience. When he is finished with the book, I'm going to take it up and fill another corner of my brain with this Texas history. If you are interested in this time of our country's history, this one will give you a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in early Texas.

[Wesley Frizzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that he didn't tell us more about his rangering experiences. Otherwise, interesting for someone who lives not too far from his early foray into the frontier.

[Suzanne Hencken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting chiefly for the fact that it was written in 1871. It presents a picture of the times, I think a lot of it has the air of "tall tales" about it. The most interesting to me were the chapters that dealt with his time of capture in Mexico. This book would be judged racist by today's standards, the reader must keep in mind that it was written in a different time. A lot of the terminology is interesting, for instance he refers to pants as pantaloons and includes a lot of what was probably current slang for that time such as "slick back quarter".

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is too funny. His laid-back sense of humor had me laughing throughout the entire book. He's a killer of Native Americans which I shouldn't think is too funny because I have Wyandot and sioux blood in my own veins, but his stories and expressions are hilarious. He's also very racist when it comes to black people, but it's hard not to laugh. His expression, "I wish to be kicked to death by grasshoppers." and other idioms are classic.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reprint of the 1871 dime novel that is said to tell the life of Texas legend William A. "Big-Foot" Wallace. It is written in the popular style of the period like other works about frontier notables. The author interjects himself deeply into the story. There are historical inaccuracies in the work.

[Keith Beddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a very formal style but gien the time it was written not surprising. A lot of things in it would be shocking to 21st Century readers but were accepted as normality
at the time. Wallace comes across as a quiet resourceful and courageous man. A good read.

[Vince Pillig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Good read about the Mexican army and being captured by them . Would've liked to heard more about Texas and the Indians.