The Lincoln County War was a violent conflict in New Mexico Territory between rival economic factions that escalated into a bloody range war from 1878 to 1881. It’s most famously known for involving Billy the Kid and the Regulators, a group of young gunmen fighting against a powerful business monopoly. Here’s a concise breakdown:
🔥 Overview of the Lincoln County War
📍 Where:
Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory (particularly the town of Lincoln)
📅 When:
Primarily 1878, with aftermath lasting until 1881
⚖️ What Was It About?
A power struggle over control of local economy, law enforcement, and justice between:
-
Murphy-Dolan faction
-
Dominated trade and politics
-
Backed by Sheriff William Brady
-
Controlled L.G. Murphy & Co.
-
-
Tunstall-McSween faction
-
Attempted to break the monopoly
-
Led by English rancher John Tunstall and lawyer Alexander McSween
-
Supported by cattle baron John Chisum
-
⚔️ Key Events
1. Feb 18, 1878 – Murder of John Tunstall
-
Tunstall was ambushed and killed by a posse deputized by Sheriff Brady.
-
His death sparked outrage and galvanized his young ranch hands into action.
2. Formation of the Regulators
-
Included Billy the Kid, Dick Brewer, Charlie Bowdre, Doc Scurlock, and others.
-
Deputized under Territorial Justice of the Peace, they sought legal revenge.
3. April 1, 1878 – Ambush of Sheriff Brady
-
Regulators assassinated Sheriff William Brady in the street in Lincoln.
4. April 4, 1878 – Battle at Blazer’s Mill
-
Gunfight with Buckshot Roberts resulted in deaths of Dick Brewer (Regulator leader) and Roberts.
5. July 15–19, 1878 – The Five-Day Battle / Siege of the McSween House
-
Peppin posse (Murphy side) surrounded the McSween house.
-
On July 19, they set it on fire.
-
Alexander McSween and several others were killed.
-
Billy the Kid and a few Regulators escaped in dramatic fashion.
🧨 Aftermath
-
The war left over a dozen men dead.
-
The Murphy-Dolan side regained control, but Lincoln never fully recovered.
-
Billy the Kid was later arrested, escaped jail, and was killed by Pat Garrett in 1881.
⚠️ Why It Mattered
-
The Lincoln County War exposed the corruption in frontier justice, where lawmen were often hired guns for businessmen.
-
It solidified Billy the Kid’s legendary status in American folklore.
-
It contributed to the image of the “Wild West” as lawless and brutal.
A visual timeline
Map of key Lincoln County War locations:
-
Lincoln, NM – Site of the McSween house and the Five-Day Battle
-
Fort Stanton – Military post tied to local power struggles
-
Blazer’s Mill – Site of the infamous gunfight with Buckshot Roberts
-
San Patricio – Regulator hideout and local community
-
Roswell – John Chisum’s cattle empire
-
Stinking Springs – Where Billy the Kid was captured
-
Fort Sumner – Where Billy was killed by Pat Garrett
-
White Oaks – Growing mining town with historical connections to the war
🔥 Regulator Profile: Charlie Bowdre
🧍 Full Name:
Charles “Charlie” Bowdre
📅 Born:
1848, Georgia (or Mississippi—exact birthplace uncertain)
📍 Died:
July 19, 1880, Stinking Springs, New Mexico Territory (killed during Pat Garrett’s siege)
🔹 Personality & Reputation:
-
Described as quiet, loyal, and brave, Bowdre wasn’t as flamboyant as Billy the Kid but was respected by all sides.
-
He was deeply religious, carried a Bible in his saddlebag, and read scripture regularly.
-
George Coe described him as someone who would fight fiercely, but only when necessary.
🔫 Involvement in the Lincoln County War:
🐎 Early Connections:
-
Ran a cheese-making operation with Doc Scurlock on the Rio Ruidoso before the war.
-
Became close friends with fellow future Regulators, including Billy the Kid, Scurlock, George and Frank Coe, and Ab Saunders.
⚔️ Member of the Regulators:
-
Deputized to avenge the murder of John Tunstall.
-
Took part in several critical episodes:
-
Killing of Sheriff William Brady (April 1, 1878)
-
Battle of Blazer’s Mill (April 4, 1878) – fought alongside Dick Brewer against Buckshot Roberts
-
Five-Day Battle in Lincoln (July 15–19, 1878) – helped defend McSween house and survived the burning and escape
-
❤️ Personal Life:
-
Married Manuela Herrera, a local Hispanic woman, in 1878. Her family opposed his involvement with Billy and the Regulators.
-
He considered leaving the outlaw life behind multiple times but felt a deep bond to the Regulators, especially Billy.
⚰️ Final Stand – Stinking Springs (Dec. 1880):
-
Bowdre had planned to surrender and walk away from the gang.
-
Pat Garrett’s posse surrounded the house at Stinking Springs.
-
The next morning, Charlie was sent outside (possibly as a decoy or to feed horses) and was shot multiple times by Garrett’s men.
-
According to legend, his last words were:
“They’ve shot me to pieces, boys… leave me alone and let me die.”
Historical accounts of Charlie Bowdre’s death vary regarding his exact last words. The quote, “They’ve shot me to pieces, boys… leave me alone and let me die,” is not consistently attributed to him in available historical sources.Some sources suggest his last words were “I’m killed, Billy, they killed me,” as he was shot while trying to leave a besieged house. Another source claims he stumbled out, shot multiple times, repeating the phrase, “I wish… I wish…”.Such accounts were often passed down orally and recorded later, which can lead to discrepancies. What remains consistent is that Charlie Bowdre was shot by Pat Garrett’s posse on December 23, 1880, and died as a result. He was buried next to his friend Tom O’Folliard at Fort Sumner, where Billy the Kid was also later laid to rest.
🪦 Legacy:
-
Bowdre’s death shook Billy the Kid and others deeply.
-
He is often portrayed as a tragic figure — a man of principle caught in a brutal war between law and outlaw, loyalty and survival.
-
He’s buried at Old Fort Sumner Cemetery, not far from Billy the Kid’s own grave.