The Donner-Reed caravan passes the halfway point of its journey to California, and now the real problems begin. After meeting legendary mountain man, Jim Bridger, the caravan chooses to take an unproven road across central Utah. They believe it is a shortcut which will save them hundreds of miles. It turns out to be a disaster, and the trip across the Great Salt Lake Desert leads to a heartbreaking decision.

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In 1846 in Springfield, Illinois, the Donner family teams up with the Reed family to form the core of a caravan that will travel to the rich farmland of California. The problem is, they’re already late. They soon discover that they’re among the very last travelers to begin the journey to the West, and the hardships begin almost immediately.

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A quick update episode about changes to the release schedule for Legends of the Old West in 2026. Next year will begin with an encore presentation of the story of the Donner Party, followed by a 3-episode miniseries about the Alaska gold rush and then the regular full-length series.

In addition to a slightly reduced schedule, Legends of the Old West and Infamous America will now have staggered release schedules. All episodes will continue to release on Wednesdays, but new episodes of each podcast will not be perfectly in sync with each other. 

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In April of 1889, Major Joseph Wham receives orders to deliver U.S. Army payroll to five forts in eastern Arizona. He brings Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry and the 10th Cavalry as an army escort. At a place called Bloody Run outside of Fort Grant, a gang of bandits ambushes the payroll convoy, and the soldiers end up in a fight for their lives.

For the full story of the Wham paymaster robbery, please see the book “Ambush at Bloody Run” by Larry D. Ball!

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After Victorio’s War, an old Apache leader called Nana rises to lead a small band of fighters into New Mexico for a month of devastating raids. At Carrizo Canyon, they lead a detachment from K Troop of the 9th Cavalry into an ambush. During the firefight, the actions of Sergeant Thomas Shaw and Sergeant George Jordan earn them the Medal of Honor.

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In 1879, Apache leader Victorio leads a campaign of deadly raids across New Mexico Territory. For nearly a year, the 9th Cavalry skirmishes with Victorio’s warriors, but can’t end the raids. In 1880, Victorio crosses into Texas and faces new tactics from the 10th Cavalry. The Buffalo Soldiers win decisive victories and force Victorio down into Mexico where he soon meets his end.

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In northern Colorado, a column of the 5th Cavalry becomes trapped near Milk Creek during an ambush by Ute warriors. Two days into the siege, a troop of 9th Cavalry arrives to help its struggling comrades. Sergeant Henry Johnson leads a life saving mission to bring water to the wounded.

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A small detachment of the 9th Cavalry from Fort Bayard in southern New Mexico Territory tracks a band of Apache who were likely responsible for an attack in Arizona Territory. The detachment follows the Apache into the Florida Mountains where the soldiers quickly find themselves surrounded. In the fight to escape the trap, the brave actions of Corporal Clinton Greaves help save his unit.

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In 1867, Company K of the 9th Cavalry spends a long summer rebuilding Fort Lancaster on the road between El Paso and San Antonio. At the end of the year, a force of 400 fighters – led by Kickapoo warriors – attack the fort. In the first serious frontier action of Company K, the Buffalo Soldiers engage in a fierce battle to protect the fort and their horses.

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David Crockett volunteers for the Texian army and is assigned to help protect an old Spanish mission called Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo. He arrives two weeks before the Mexican army led by President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, which has been marching to Texas to retake the city of San Antonio. For 13 days at the end of February and the beginning of March, 1836, Crockett and the other defenders of the Alamo withstand a siege until the Mexican army launches the final assault.

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David Crockett’s political career rises throughout the 1820s, but it begins to fall in the 1830s as he continually runs afoul of President Andrew Jackson. By the mid-1830s, he has heard so many stories about Texas that he has decided to try to build a new life on the new western frontier of the United States. When his political career ends, he starts the journey to Texas and he learns along the way that he will likely have to return to his days as a warrior because a rebellion is rising.

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