In 1837, the Second Congress passed the Militia Act of 1837 with appropriations, which established one division composed of four brigades.
It was initially led by Thomas Rusk, who was replaced by Felix Huston in 1839, and Sidney Sherman in 1840.
[3][12][8] After annexation, the First Texas Legislature passed the Militia Act of 1846, which established five divisions each composed of two brigades.
During the Frontier / Antebellum period, notable units included the Texas Rangers, Alamo Rifles of San Antonio, the Galveston Artillery Company, the Lone Star Military Company of Galveston, the Washington Light Guards of Houston, the Milam Rifles of Houston, the Turner Rifles of Houston, and the Refugio Riflemen.
[4] During the America Civil War, the Texas Militia was generally designated the Home Guard or State Troops and tasked with defense of the frontier against Indian and Mexican incursion, defense of the coast against Union invasion, and suppression of Union loyalists.