| “ | At least two-hundred men have been killed in Lincoln County during the past three years, but I did not kill all of them.
— Billy the Kid on the Lincoln County War
|
” |
The Lincoln County Regulators, or just the Regulators, were an American Old West deputized posse that fought in the Lincoln County War in New Mexico, during the late 19th century. They are well known for including Billy the Kid as a member. The Lincoln County War began when a posse of three men, deputized by Sheriff William J. Brady, confronted and fatally shot English cattle and horse rancher John Henry Tunstall on February 18, 1878.
Tunstall's ranch-hands and other local citizens formed a group known as the Regulators to avenge his murder, and counter what they viewed as a corrupt territorial criminal justice system controlled by allies of Murphy, Dolan, and company. The Lincoln County War and the Regulators would launch Billy the Kid to everlasting fame. It is probable that in reality other Regulators, for example Doc Scurlock, were closer to actually being "gunmen" than Billy. It is likely that in some cases, Billy the Kid was credited with killings that in fact were carried out by other Regulators. By the Regulators' end, any killings committed by them had his name appended, whether he was the actual shooter or not. This would eventually be detrimental to his attempts at amnesty.
Battle vs. Johnson County Homesteaders (by Jon memeing)[]
Johnson County Homesteaders:
Lincoln County Regulators:
The night was cold and dewy. The townsfolk of this lonely town in the American West were preparing to close stores and hit the hay. The day was not that fruitful but was still fulfilling. There was nothing better here than good old-fashioned self-reliant manual labor.
But not everyone had the same belief or need of sleep. Some were there only to cause trouble. A deep bloody sort of trouble. "This is for Tunstall!" a man on a horse suddenly yelled, as he pumped lead unto the town's sheriff, killing him. The rest of the townsfolk panicked and cried like little hound doggies left without a shepherd. The man was accompanied by four others on horseback, and they all began riding around, further scattering the people, and causing more havoc. They all wore sombreros from New Mexico. They were the infamous regulators.
Others though, were not easily scared. Five homesteaders began taking positions inside various buildings and covers. They took aim from their windows with their peacemakers and winchesters. "It's an invasion! They're at it again!" cried one of them.
The homesteaders fired, catching one of the regulators at the back, making him fall off his horse and onto the ground. His life was extiguished even before he hit the dirt . The regulators saw one of their own die, and they yelled in anguish, hellbent on avenging their fallen comrade. But as they shot out their lightnings and coach guns, their shots only hit the durable cover that the homesteaders were hiding behind from. One of the homesteaders took aim with his rifle and killed another regulator .
Seeing that they were at a disadvantage, the regulators dismounted and rushed a building where two of the homesteaders were staying. As they got inside and began running up the stairs, the homesteaders there tried to barricade the room they were in. But the regulators pumped shells after shells, destroying the wooden brittle doors and killing those inside .
The regulators now used the windows of the building to their advantage. A homesteader from the house near them tried to snipe them, but the regulators managed to take cover. One of them provided covering fire while the other jumped into another window of the opposition's house. As the homesteader was still busy firing his rifle, a blade was plunged from behind his back, killing him .
But before the regulator could savor his victory, a rifle shot got him in the head, killing him . Angered, the remaining two regulators fired their pistols and shotguns, their combined power penetrating the cover of the homesteader, hitting him and making him fall off his window .
Things were not going well. This town proved to be too crazy. The two regulators, exhausted and terrified, decided to leave there and now. They raced downstairs and out to where their horses were, but they found their animals dead from bullets. They also heard a faint hiss coming from below. It was too late for them to do anything as they saw sticks of dynamite explode in their feet. The power was so strong, the regulators were turned into crimson vapor .
The remaining homesteader waves his stetson and yelled, "Yee-haw!"
Expert's Opinion[]
The experts believe that the Johnson County Homesteaders won because of their better weapons, tactics and x-factors. The Lincoln County Regulators were no pushover due to the carnage they had experienced. But they fall short of the weapons and skills that the Johnson County Homesteaders were carrying.