The Mexican-American War was a defining moment for the Texas Rangers.

Men who were already household names in Texas became household names across the country.

They would meet with presidents and be celebrated from New York City to San Francisco.

The war also caused great change within the Rangers.

It represented the changing of the Guard, the passing of the torch.

After the war, one captain would finish his career in ride west into the sunset.

One would leave Texas in search of fortune only to return with frustration.

And a new captain would rise to take command of all the Rangers.

But the fighting in Mexico would take its toll.

One of the most prominent Rangers, a man whose insights would have a dramatic impact

on the American West, would not survive the war.

From Black Barrel Media, this is season 5 of the Legends of the Old West Podcast,

presented by the Cowboy Lifestyle Network.

Here's episode 3 of the Texas Rangers.

War and the Walker Colt.

After General Zachary Taylor signed an unpopular eight-week armistice with Mexico in September 1846,

the Texas Rangers drifted home.

They received joyous welcomes from New Orleans to San Antonio,

but their days were not spent entirely in celebration.

There was sadness and mourning, too.

In October, Samuel Walker attended a ceremony to memorialize his good friend Robert Addison Gillespie.

Gillespie had fallen at the Battle of Monterey,

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