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Overland emigrants discovered smaller groups of 20 to 40 wagons were more manageable than larger ones, especially without professional wagon masters. Many operated under democratic principles, creating bylaws and electing a captain. In reality, a captain had limited authority. His role was largely
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Membership of wagon trains was generally fluid and wagons frequently joined or left trains depending on the needs and wishes of their owners. An accident or illness, for instance, might force someone to fall behind and wait for the next train, or an emigrant might "whip up" to overtake a forward
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Although "wagon train" suggests a line of wagons, when terrain permitted, wagons would often fan out and travel abreast to minimize the amount of dust blown onto other wagons. Travel by wagon train occurred primarily between the 1840s–1880s, diminishing after completion of the
477:"Life and Death on the Oregon Trail, "Provisions for births and lethal circumstances", OCTA." Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) – Oregon Trail History. Oregon-California Trails Association, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2013. <
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Today, covered wagon trains are used to give an authentic experience for those desiring to explore the West as it was in the days of the pioneers and other groups traveling before modern vehicles were invented.
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At night, wagon trains were often formed into a circle or square for shelter from wind or weather, and to corral the emigrants' animals in the center to prevent them from running away or being stolen by
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The advent of gunpowder warfare meant that an army could no longer rely solely on foraging in the surrounding countryside, and required a regular supply of munitions. In the 18th century, organized
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departments were developed to centralize delivery of supplies. The delivery took the form of "baggage trains", large groups of wagons that traveled at the rear of the main army.
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Westward-bound collective treks are reflected in numerous books, films, and television programs about the journeys. Examples include:
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Originally, westward movement began in small groups, but well-funded travelers with 100 or more wagons could employ professional
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Brown, Dee
Alexander, and Martin Ferdinand Schmitt. The American West. New York: Scribner, 1994. Print.
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This article is about the group of animal-powered vehicles traveling together. For other uses, see
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confined to getting everyone moving in the morning and selecting when and where to camp at night.
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History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Through the Ages
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banded together for mutual assistance. Although wagon trains are associated with the
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Logistics of
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The Plains Across: The
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which had a span of over 2,000 mi (3,200 km). Other paths included the
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445:"Nine Places Where You Can Still See Wheel Tracks from the Oregon Trail"
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is a group of wagons traveling together. Before the extensive use of
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384:(under the pseudonym Dana Fuller Ross) between 1979 and 1989.
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of South Africa also traveled in caravans of covered wagons.
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train after a quarrel. Some might break away to settle in
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182:(which split southwestward from the Oregon Trail), the
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166:. Perhaps the most famous wagon train trail was the
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118:followed an army with supplies and ammunition.
586:The California Trail: An Epic With Many Heroes
342:(1950) and the television series it inspired,
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158:Wagon trains followed several trails in the
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94:Learn how and when to remove this message
607:. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
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57:This article includes a list of general
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601:Unruh, John D. Jr. (1993).
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146:Transit, traces, and trails
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588:. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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314:Raoul Walsh
304:James Cruze
267: 1900
212:Pioneer Day
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664:Great Trek
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186:, and the
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420:War wagon
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374:1967 film
352:'s film,
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388:See also
358:(1951);
332:(1935);
326:'s film
322:(1930);
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312:(1923);
227:hostlers
131:Old West
84:May 2012
640:in the
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