The Bushwackers

The Bushwackers were a rough, informal group of frontier fighters and bandits in the American West during the late 1800s. They often operated outside the boundaries of law, engaging in raids, cattle rustling, and violence, especially along the Texas-Mexico border and in the southwestern United States. Sometimes, they included outlaws, vigilantes, or settlers defending their land. While some saw them as lawless criminals, others viewed them as folk heroes or resistance figures. Their activities contributed to the chaotic, often violent atmosphere of the frontier era, shaping regional history and folklore.