in 1837, he worked as a surveyor in the area around gonzales, texas. there he met and joined jack hays' company of texas rangers. he became an experienced indian fighter. he fought in the battle of plum creek in 1840. in 1841 he was part of the expedition against indians along the tributaries of the guadalupe river. in 1842 he was elected a first lieutenant in captain jack hays' company of rangers.