Wagon Train Captains and Pilots

Wagon Trains had 2  principal officers - the captain and the pilot.  Captains were men who organized the caravan initially, or were elected once the train was formed.  He was the administrator and also the judge.  He established the order, drew up the roster for duty and settled quarrels which were many and bitter.

Pilots,  or guides like Walker, actually led the train once it started westward and made the day to day
tactical decisions.  Pilots were responsible for where they traveled, how they traveled, where they made camp, as well as how they guarded livestock, forded creeks, made and mended equipment, dealt with the Indians, and survived the trip in general.  Pilots were usually veterans and the ones to soothe fears and boost morales.

A perfect role for Captain Walker...

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This Day in History:  On October 16,  1815, the sadistic and murderous western gunman,  William Preston Longley, later known as Wild Bill,  is born in Austin County, Texas.

Next time...Inexperienced and Packin' Heat