Assistance on the Trail

Assistance on the Trail. Soldiers were not always available to help travelers.. , While emigrants were mostly self-sufficient, there were times when they needed extra help. Since there were few forts in the early years, aid often came from the feared "savages.” Instead of attacking the wagon trains as the eastern newspapers predicted, tribes often provided directions, offered ferry service, carried mail and traded for a variety of items among other aid. , By the 1860's, though, the tribes became frustrated with the loss of their way of life and the breaking of treaties. The result was more frequent conflict. , The army established Fort Mitchell, among others, in 1864 to help protect wagon trains from the growing unrest among the Native Americans. The 11th Ohio's Company F manned the adobe fort, located west of Mitchell Pass. Soldiers endured poor living conditions during the summers they occupied the fort. Their orders were to protect the pioneers. The fort was abandoned by mid-1866. , Consider the challenges you face during a long journey. Where do you look for assistance? , Captions: , During the 1840s and 1850s most encounters with the plains tribes were peaceful. , Hurriedly built of adobe, Fort Mitchell was one of several forts established to guard the trail in the 1860's.