Deaf Smith

Erastus 'Deaf' Smith was an American frontiersman known for his role in the Texas Revolution and the Army of the Republic of Texas. He received his moniker owing to hearing loss as a youngster. He took part in the Grass Fight as well as the Battle of San Jacinto. Deaf Smith headed a company of Texas Rangers after the war. Erastus ("Deaf") Smith (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was the Forrest Gump of the Texas Revolution. He was part scout, half spy, part messenger, and all hero.

Deaf fought in one of the rebellion's first battles, at Concepcion; sparked another important battle, the Grass Fight; was wounded in the Texans' takeover of Bexar (San Antonio); was dispatched with Henry Karnes to learn the fate of the Alamo; and burned a crucial bridge at the Battle of San Jacinto. He later became a captain of the Texas Rangers. In Texas, Deaf Smith County is named for him. Smith's contributions to South Texas are also recognized by a historical marker at the entrance to Lake Casa Blanca International Park in Laredo. Many Texas school districts name their campuses after Texas Revolutionary War heroes. Several schools in Texas have been named after Deaf Smith, notably Lamar CISD's Deaf Smith Elementary in Richmond.