It was the spring of 1848. Almost 400 wagons, each with a plow fastened on its tailboard were gathered at Kansas City, the jumping-off point on the long overland trail to Oregon. They had come from all over - some as far as 1,000 miles. Now they eagerly awaited the arrival of the last contingent of wagons from Liberty, for there were 2,000 miles to travel before snow covered the distant mountain passes.

Galloping Across the U.S.A. - Horses in American Life

Galloping Across America shows how Mustangs, Arabians, Palominos, Morgans, and other kinds of horses played a central role in the development of the United States as a nation. From transportation within cities -- the omnibus, fire wagons, delivery of goods -- to mail delivery from coast to coast to tilling soil and herding cattle, Martin Sandler shows how essential the horse was for the survival of four million citizens stretched across 800,000 square miles. As roads improved, stagecoaches became popular for crossing the country. Covered wagons delivered pioneers into the western regions for homesteading.