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Wagon Train

 Note: Although this is “published” material it fits so nicely with Mr. Floyd’s piece and is of such interest we can’t resist using it.  This article was sent in by Eleanor Harris, taken from an uncopyrighted book at the TSLA, From the Carolinas to Tennessee to Texas by Paul E. Daugherty (1978).  On page 36 there is an article written for the pioneers when they began traveling to Texas.  This trip was made in 1845.

 “We pulled out of Bell Buckle, Bedford County, Tennessee with a wagon train of 28 wagons and 90 people, all bound for Texas.  The train included 39 men, 19 women and 42 children, and the wagons were pulled by 118 draft horses and mules.  There were also 30 saddle horses on the trip, and on April 20^th two more wagons joined the trail.  A list was made of all on the wagon train in order to aid friends and relatives in tracing them, if necessary.  The rules were as follows: 

1. Allow 5 days for each one hundred miles.  Bad days, what you can make, or stay in camp if agreed by all.  Real good days, and ground, make it easy pulling 25 to 30 miles per day, if campsites come right.
2. Take plenty of Guns and Ammunition.
3. Recommended – shave you head – Indians will have no interest in bald heads.
4. Do not drink whiskey or alcohol in freezing weather, or you are liable to freeze to death.
5. Do not fire rifles, only when absolutely necessary.
6. Do not stay up late – get your sleep.  Guards are on duty all night.
7. Do not smoke strong pipes and cigars in close spaces were women and children are.
8. Keep your politics and preaching to yourself.  Let the preachers do the preaching.
9. In case of a runaway of teams of wagons, get down and try to ride it out.  If you jump you are liable to get killed, or hurt badly.  The horse men will pick the team up, maybe not too far off.
10. All people – young married or not, stay inside the circle of wagons in Indian country, or you are liable to lose your scalp.
11. The wagon master will try to pick spots so men and women and children can bathe, clean up and wash clothes, when possible.
12. Be courteous and help others.
13. Do not be noisy, even with you musical instrument; only when it is safe.
14. When we can, we will have recreation and dances.
15. Do your part by all means.  Church services will be held when it is considered safe from the Indians and other hazardous conditions.”