Wagon train

In the American West, settlers traveling across the plains and mountain passes in covered wagons banded together for mutual assistance.

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 Native Americans.

[4] 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.

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.

[6] The delivery took the form of "baggage trains", large groups of wagons that traveled at the rear of the main army.