The Texas Guard during martial law and a state of emergency: A select study focusing on Galveston, Sherman, Beaumont and Texas City

Texas Volunteer, National, and State Guard troops hold a distinguished history of service to Texas and have proved to be invaluable in efforts to aid civil authorities during emergency situations and in extreme conditions when martial law has been enforced. This research focuses on use of Guard units during extreme racial incidents leading to the declaration of martial law as was found in Sherman in 1930 and in Beaumont in 1943. The Volunteer Guard was called to duty in Galveston in 1900 when a hurricane devastated that city. Martial law was immediately instated. In addition, troops were summoned to Texas City in 1947 after an explosion obstructed and prevented the functioning of civil processes. Although martial law was not declared during this crisis, a state of emergency was proclaimed. In all four instances, the Guard was praised for exemplary service to the State and control was rapidly restored to civil authorities.