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100-534: The Rose–Baley Party was the first European American emigrant wagon train to traverse the 35th parallel route known as Beale's Wagon Road , established by Edward Fitzgerald Beale , from Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico to the Colorado River near present-day Needles, California . In 1858, a wealthy businessman from Keosauqua, Iowa , Leonard John Rose , formed the party after hearing stories from gold miners returning from California. He subsequently financed

200-485: A 62-year-old Baptist minister kept a daily journal of the party's travels, recording the locations of their campsites, documenting their progress, and noting the availability of resources. On August 30, 1858, after having traveled more than 1,200 miles (1,900 km) in four months, the Rose–Baley Party were attacked as they prepared to cross the Colorado River near present-day Needles, California . Eight members of

300-499: A Mohave chief who appeared to be leading the attack stepped out in front of his warriors and taunted the emigrants, Gillum Baley, a veteran of the Black Hawk War and a noted marksman, took him down with a single rifle shot. The Mohave warriors then retrieved the chief's body and retreated from the battle. Later historians have questioned whether Mojaves were fully responsible for the attack, and if Hualapais had also taken part in

400-467: A Morgan stallion named Black Morrill; their combined value exceeded $ 3,000. He also purchased two hundred head of red Durham cattle, which he planned to resell in California for profit. To complete the train, Rose acquired four large ox-drawn prairie schooner style covered wagons , each required three yokes (i.e. six oxen) to pull each wagon. Three wagons were loaded with supplies, and the fourth

500-405: A captain. In reality, a captain had limited authority. His role was largely confined to getting everyone moving in the morning and selecting when and where to camp at night. Membership of wagon trains was generally fluid and wagons frequently joined or left trains depending on the needs and wishes of their owners. An accident or illness, for instance, might force someone to fall behind and wait for

600-795: A company with his family of seven, his foreman, Alpha Brown, and his family, and seventeen grubstakers, workers who were not paid a salary, but given food and board in exchange for their labor. Rose was born in Rottenburg , Germany in 1827; at the age of eight, he immigrated to the United States. In 1892, writing in The Californian , he identified what motivated him to leave Iowa, where he had built several successful businesses: In 1858 some miners who had just returned from California so fired my imagination with descriptions of its glorious climate, wealth of flowers, and luscious fruits, that I

700-629: A few axe blazes on trees." Portions of the road followed human and animal trails, and – although potable water was sporadically available – there were also long stretches called jornadas , where it was scarce. From the San Francisco Peaks to the Colorado River, vital resources were in short supply. Because Beale's Wagon Road crossed territory that consisted mainly of the Colorado Plateau 's rocky high desert,

800-478: A few extra days to recuperation and sightseeing, and several members of the wagon train climbed Humphreys Peak , which at 12,633 ft (3,851 m) is the highest point in Arizona. While climbing the mountain, they came across a large snowfield and were surprised to see snow and ice in late July. Before their descent, they entertained themselves by pushing a massive boulder down the mountainside. Up to this point,

900-487: A few words of Spanish and English, and Savedra was able to communicate with them using their dialect and sign language (likely Plains Indian Sign Language ). They admitted to having the group's missing animals, but insisted that the Mohave had stolen them. They repeatedly thumped their chest while uttering, "Hanna, Hanna", meaning "good" Native, insisting that the Mohave were "bad" Natives. According to Rose, Savedra knew that

1000-484: A frequency of 3.1% (respectively 0.9% and 2.2%) in European Americans, although that frequency may be scattered by region. DNA analysis on native European Americans by geneticist Mark D. Shriver showed an average of 0.7% Native African admixture and 3.2% Native American admixture. The same author, in another study, claimed that about 30% of all European Americans, approximately 66 million people, have

1100-510: A journey with so many woman and helpless children, and so many dangers attending the attempt." According to Baley, the emigrants first learned of the recently surveyed road while visiting Albuquerque. Townspeople and army officers, including Benjamin Bonneville , encouraged them to take the new route, which was shorter than the established southern trails by 200 miles (320 km), or approximately 30 days travel. They were also told that there

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1200-464: A mare and a mule went missing, and three searchers were sent to find them. They tracked the animals to a deep canyon, where Native Americans hiding in the rocks shot arrows at them. Savedra noticed the Natives watching the party from the nearby foothills the following day, and was able to draw them into camp using sign language. In Baley's opinion, the Natives were most likely Hualapai . They could speak

1300-448: A median of 2.3% of native African admixture. Later, Shriver retracted his statement, saying that actually around 5% of European Americans exhibit some detectable level of native African ancestry. From the 23andMe database, about 5 to at least 13 percent of self-identified European American Southerners have greater than 1 percent native African ancestry. Southern states with the highest African American populations tended to have

1400-728: A part of Spanish Florida , and the Russians were the first Europeans to settle in Alaska , establishing Russian America . The first English child born in the Americas was Virginia Dare , born August 18, 1587. She was born in Roanoke Colony , located in present-day North Carolina , which was the first attempt, made during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I , to establish a permanent English settlement in North America. In

1500-420: A patch of cottonwood trees that were suitable for building rafts. According to Baley, at approximately 2 p.m. on August 30, 1858, the emigrants camped near the Colorado River heard Alpha Brown's step-daughter, Sallie Fox , screaming. She had been playing in a wagon when she noticed several Mohave nearby. Having lost the element of surprise, three hundred warriors then let out war whoops as they shot arrows into

1600-606: A proportion of new arrivals has declined since the mid-20th century, with 75.0% of the total foreign-born population born in Europe compared to 12.1% recorded in the 2010 census. The figures below show that of the total population of the specified birthplace in the United States, 11.1% were born overseas. Breakdowns of the European American population into sub-components is a difficult and rather arbitrary exercise. Farley (1991) argues that "because of ethnic intermarriage,

1700-658: A regular supply of munitions. In the 18th century, organized commissary and quartermaster departments were developed to centralize delivery of supplies. The delivery took the form of "baggage trains", large groups of wagons that traveled at the rear of the main army. Westward-bound collective treks are reflected in numerous books, films, and television programs about the journeys. Examples include: Emerson Hough 's 1922 novel and James Cruze 's silent film based on it, The Covered Wagon (1923); Raoul Walsh 's film The Big Trail (1930); Robert North Bradbury 's film Westward Ho (1935); John Ford 's Wagon Master (1950) and

1800-475: A spring had been found 15 miles (24 km) west, but its supply was so sparse that it could not meet the needs of the entire wagon train at once. After a thorough debate it was decided that, despite stern warnings from Army officers in Albuquerque against splitting into smaller groups, the best course of action was to divide the train in two and water their stock separately. Udell recorded that on August 1,

1900-526: A survey was conducted of census recipients to determine their preferred terminology for the racial/ethnic groups defined in the Directive. For the White group, European American came a distant third, preferred by only 2.35% of panel interviewees, as opposed to White , which was preferred by 61.66%. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Caucasian American, White American , and Anglo-American in

2000-487: A temptation for the Indians to withstand. Beale suggested that, in addition to a military fort, the route was also in immediate need of bridges and dams to ensure safe travel and provide a reliable water supply; he requested US$ 100,000 to fund the improvements. Further complicating the journey, the only pockets of civilization between Albuquerque and San Bernardino, California , a distance of 600 miles (970 km), were

2100-479: A train. Contrary to popular belief, wagons were seldom circled defensively. 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

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2200-638: A well-equipped wagon train that included twenty horses and two hundred head of purebred red Durham cattle. He also acquired four large covered wagons and three yoke of oxen to pull each wagon. The Rose company left Iowa in early April, and in mid-May they were joined by the Baley company, led by a forty-four-year-old veteran of the Black Hawk War , Gillum Baley . Their combined outfits numbered twenty wagons, forty men, fifty to sixty women and children, and nearly five hundred head of cattle. John Udell ,

2300-588: Is highly localized; most states show only trace mean proportions of Scandinavian ancestry, while it comprises a significant proportion, upwards of 10%, of ancestry in European Americans from Minnesota and the Dakotas. Wagon train In the American West , settlers traveling across the plains and mountain passes in covered wagons banded together for mutual assistance. Although wagon trains are associated with

2400-425: Is the most level: our wagons only double-teaming once in the entire distance, and that at a short hill, and over a surface heretofore unbroken by wheels or trail on any kind. It is well-watered: our greatest distance without water at any time being 20 miles (32 km). It is well-timbered, and in many places the growth is far beyond that of any part of the world I have ever seen. It is temperate in climate, passing for

2500-474: The 2000 census this represented over 56.1 million or 19.9% of the United States population, an increase from 26.2 million (10.5%) in 1990 and 38.2 million (16.9%) in 1980 and are specified as "unclassified" and "not reported". In 1995, as part of a review of the Office of Management and Budget 's Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting),

2600-399: The 2020 United States census , British Americans (58 million), German Americans (45 million), Irish Americans (38 million), Italian Americans (17 million) and Polish Americans (9 million) were the five largest self-reported European ancestry groups in the United States. The 2020 census was the first census to allow data collection on subtypes of Europeans. During previous surveys,

2700-470: The 35th parallel from Fort Smith , Arkansas to Los Angeles , California. The wagon road began at Fort Smith and continued through Fort Defiance, Arizona before crossing the Colorado River near present-day Needles, California . The location where Beale crossed the river, en route to California, became known as Beale's Crossing. Beale described the route, "It is the shortest from our western frontier by 300 miles (480 km), being nearly directly west. It

2800-566: The Missouri River . In mid-May, they were joined by the Baley company while resting at Cottonwood Creek, near present-day Durham, Kansas . In the interests of safety, the groups agreed to an informal merger; their combined outfits numbered 20 wagons, 40 men, 50 to 60 women and children, and nearly 500 head of unbranded cattle. Baley notes that whereas most emigrants who traveled from the Midwestern United States to

2900-813: The Old West , the Trekboers of South Africa also traveled in caravans of covered wagons. Wagon trains followed several trails in the American West , nearly all originating at Independence, Missouri . Perhaps the most famous wagon train trail was the Oregon Trail which had a span of over 2,000 mi (3,200 km). Other paths included the Santa Fe Trail , the Chisholm Trail , the California Trail (which split southwestward from

3000-569: The Union as a free territory and granted Kansas the right to decide on the legality of slavery within the state. The resulting tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups fueled conflict near the Missouri state line, affecting its western counties, including Nodaway, where the Baleys and Hedgpeths lived. In Baley's opinion, the financial Panic of 1857 further contributed to instability in

3100-537: The United Kingdom to the United States persisted and provide a substantial cultural basis for much of the modern United States . Fischer explains "the origins and stability of a social system which for two centuries has remained stubbornly democratic in its politics, capitalist in its economy, libertarian in its laws and individualist in its society and pluralistic in its culture." Much of

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3200-631: The West Coast took the Oregon Trail , in 1858 concerns about the Mormon War led many, including the Rose–Baley Party, to avoid Utah by taking the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico Territory , where a viable southern route could then be taken to California. The Santa Fe Trail followed the Arkansas River until it split into two paths near Cimarron, Kansas . The Mountain Branch continued into

3300-720: The Zuni Mountains , a branch of the Rocky Mountains ; two days later they traversed the Continental Divide of the Americas , which, although 8,000 feet (2,400 m) to 9,000 feet (2,700 m) feet in elevation, was a relatively easy passage. Udell described the road as "smooth and fine, we traveled it in a day with our ox teams, and no hard labor." On July 7, they camped near El Morro National Monument , then called Inscription Rock, and several members of

3400-528: The "basic framework" of his research. The only other source of firsthand information is Rose, whose account was printed in the Missouri Republican in 1859, and later reprinted as an appendix in Dr. Robert Glass Cleland's work, The Cattle on a Thousand Hills: Southern California, 1850–1880 . In October 1857, an expedition led by Edward Fitzgerald Beale was tasked with establishing a trade route along

3500-514: The 1960s. Some European Americans such as Italians , Greeks , Poles , Germans , Ukrainians , Irish , and others have maintained high levels of ethnic identity. In the 1960s, the melting pot ideal to some extent gave way to increased interest in cultural pluralism, strengthening affirmations of ethnic identity among various American ethnic groups, European as well as others. The American legal system also has its roots in French philosophy with

3600-470: The Baley company had fallen behind the Rose company and decided to stop and make a mountain camp while Rose and others continued to the Colorado River, where they planned to water their combined stock and build a raft in preparation for the impending river crossing. By noon on August 28, Rose had reached a patch of cottonwood trees about one mile from the river, where their oxen were unhitched and allowed to join

3700-509: The Bentners had been attacked by a group of Hualapais, including seven renegade Mohave warriors. The emigrants killed approximately seventeen Mohave warriors. In the opinion of the cultural anthropologist Alfred L. Kroeber , "the event sealed the fate of the Mohave as an independent people." In 1859, the US military established Fort Mohave near the location of the battle at Beale's Crossing. When

3800-462: The Colorado as they pleased. About one hour later, another chief and several warriors approached the camp; after receiving gifts, they also left without incident. According to Rose, upon hearing of the emigrants plans the chief gave them, "a very searching look, as if not half believing it". By noon, the party had moved their camp still closer to where they planned to cross, about a mile downriver near

3900-578: The Colorado: Beale's Wagon Road and the First Emigrant Party (2002), little has been written about Beale's Wagon Road because the negative experiences of the first wagon trains to attempt the passage effectively "discouraged its use". Baley's great-grandparents joined his great-great uncle in forming the company in 1858, which merged with one led by Leonard John Rose to make the Rose–Baley Party. Baley's account drew heavily from

4000-606: The European-American cultural lineage can be traced back to Western and Northern Europe , which is institutionalized in the government, traditions, and civic education in the United States. Since most later European Americans have assimilated into American culture, many Americans of European ancestry now generally express their personal ethnic ties sporadically and symbolically and do not consider their specific ethnic origins to be essential to their identity; however, European American ethnic expression has been revived since

4100-684: The Mississippi River in search of riches and fortune. Another Spaniard who explored the United States, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado , set out from New Spain in 1540 in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold . Coronado's expedition traveled to Kansas and the Grand Canyon but failed to discover gold or treasure. However, Coronado left a gift of horses to the Plains Indians. Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano and Frenchman Jacques Cartier are other Europeans who explored

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4200-801: The Missouri River." The Rose–Baley Party diverged from the Little Colorado River where it meets Canyon Diablo, near present-day Winslow, Arizona . Uncertain where the next source of clean water was, they decided to camp near the canyon, where they successfully hunted for game while searching for a fresh spring. By the late afternoon of July 24, Savedra returned to camp and reported that they had found water 17 miles (27 km) away at Walnut Creek, now part of Walnut Canyon National Monument . They immediately packed up their camp and left, as they were becoming accustomed to evening and night travel, which allowed them to refrain from exertion during

4300-502: The Mohave had returned to "finish them off", but after finding a large cache of supplies celebrated their windfall, which included Rose's eight-dollar-a-bottle brandy. In Baley's opinion, the newfound spoils were likely the only reason the Mohave did not follow the fleeing wagon train, now en route to rendezvous with the Baley company at their mountain camp. European American European Americans are Americans of European ancestry. This term includes both people who descend from

4400-547: The Mohave rarely ventured this far from their homelands, so they assumed the Hualapai had taken the animals, which were returned the following morning as the party camped at Peach Springs . The animals were led back by twenty-five Natives hoping for compensation in return, as Udell explained: "It was soon evident that they expected very extravagant rewards, all expecting shoes, clothing, and trinkets, besides some cattle ... many remained in camp with us that night, doubtless for

4500-604: The Oregon Trail), the Mormon Trail , and the Old Spanish Trail . Although "wagon train" suggests a line of wagons, when terrain permitted, wagons would often fan out and travel abreast to minimize the amount of dust blown onto other wagons. Travel by wagon train occurred primarily between the 1840s–1880s, diminishing after completion of the first transcontinental railroad . Some remnants of wagon ruts along

4600-400: The Rose company ventured west without the Baley company, who waited one full day before starting out from Leroux Springs. In the meantime, the search party had located enough springs to sustain them for the next 50 miles (80 km). Several days later, the party reached their last known source of water, and Savedra informed them that there was not another for 60 miles (97 km). Because that

4700-409: The Rose–Baley Party chose this path. The wagon train reached Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 23 and prepared for the journey to the Colorado River by way of Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico , where, despite Udell's lone dissent, they would become the first emigrant train to venture onto Beale's Wagon Road. Udell, writing in his journal, explained his concern: "I thought it was preposterous to start on so long

4800-472: The Rose–Baley Party had previously enjoyed the benefits of a primitive but well-established trail; however, at this point they became the first emigrant wagon train to venture onto the untested Beale's Wagon Road. In Baley's opinion, Udell was right to be concerned about the road, and adds: "although Beale had taken a few wagons over the route, [in 1858 it] was little more than a survey trail marked only by faint wagon tracks, an occasional stone cairn, and perhaps

4900-481: The Rose–Baley Party left Albuquerque on June 26 and began crossing the Rio Grande on a ferry . Three days later, as the last of their outfit crossed, one of Rose's men, Frank Emerdick, drowned in the river. Baley notes that they traveled for the next five days and, because there were no suitable campsites nearby, did not stop to celebrate Independence Day , as would most westbound emigrants. On July 5, they reached

5000-574: The Spaniards. The first Spanish colonization was in 1565 at St. Augustine, Florida . One of the most significant Spanish explorers was Hernando De Soto , a conquistador who accompanied Francisco Pizzaro during his conquest of the Inca Empire . Leaving Havana, Cuba, in 1539, De Soto's expedition landed in Florida. It explored the southeastern area of the United States. They reached as far as

5100-567: The United States. In contexts such as medical research, terms such as "white" and "European" have been criticized for vagueness and blurring important distinctions between different groups that happen to fit within the label. Margo Adair suggests that viewing Americans of European descent as a single group contributes to the " wonder-breading " of the United States, eradicating the cultural heritage of individual European ethnicities. There are several subgroupings of European Americans. While these categories may be approximately defined, often due to

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5200-519: The United States. The Spaniards viewed the French as threatening their trade route along the Gulf Stream. Since 1607, some 57 million immigrants from other lands have come to the United States. Approximately 10 million passed through on their way to some other place or returned to their homelands, leaving a net gain of 47 million people. Before 1881, the vast majority of immigrants, almost 86% of

5300-540: The Zuni and Laguna pueblos. According to Baley, U.S. Army officers stationed in Albuquerque insisted the emigrants hire Jose Manuel Savedra, a Mexican guide who had traveled with Beale during his initial survey of the route, and his interpreter, Petro. Unbeknownst to the group, Beale was unhappy with Savedra's scouting abilities, and had demoted him to helping with the animals in the pack train. The Rose–Baley Party paid Savedra's fee of US$ 500 in advance. Udell recorded that

5400-640: The attack, following the account of Lieutenant Colonel William Hoffman. According to Udell, eight members of the Rose-Baley party had been killed and thirteen wounded. Rose stated that of the train's livestock, only ten horses and seventeen cattle remained. Baley notes that in addition to the killing of Alpha Brown, all seven members of the Bentner family, including five children, were massacred while traveling unaccompanied from Baley's mountain camp to Rose's river camp. However subsequent investigations showed that

5500-474: The battle had ended, and the Mohave retreated, the Rose company gathered to discuss their options. Being low on ammunition and manpower, the emigrants were not confident in their ability to hold off another attack. So, although San Bernardino, at about 170 miles (270 km) away was much closer, they unanimously decided to backtrack the nearly 500 miles (800 km) to Albuquerque. Because they were dangerously low on supplies, their successful return to Albuquerque

5600-449: The camp, mortally wounding Rose's foreman, Alpha Brown. Udell described the attack as "like a shower" of arrows. According to Rose, "I have no doubt they expected to massacre us. But we were well armed and the men that were in camp ready to receive them." As the men mounted a defense, the women ran with their children to the covered wagons. Both Udell and Rose stated that the fighting lasted for approximately two hours. Baley explains that when

5700-484: The creek with rainwater, further easing their concerns; however, after traveling 20 miles (32 km) the following day, they realized that the recent rainfalls has not reached that far, forcing them to make a dry camp on August 17. On August 18, after having traveled the last 85 miles (137 km) without reliable grass or water, the Rose–Baley Party located a field and a spring that were sufficient to satisfy their stock. That night, despite posting round-the-clock guards,

5800-510: The day and raided their camp at night. Udell recorded that in the late afternoon of August 27, 1858, the Rose–Baley Party reached the Black Mountains . They made their crossing at Sitgreaves Pass, elevation 3,652 feet and named after Lieutenant Lorenzo Sitgreaves , who led an expedition party to the region in 1851. From the crest they could see the Colorado River in the distance. Having traveled all night and worked continuously during

5900-598: The diverse nations of the United Kingdom and Ireland , such as the English , Irish , Cornish , Manx , Scotch-Irish , Scottish and Welsh . Colonial ties to the United Kingdom spread the English language , legal system and other cultural attributes. Scholar David Hackett Fischer asserts in Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America that the folkways of four groups of people who moved from distinct regions of

6000-428: The emigrants had enjoyed a primitive but decent road, good small game hunting, and a consistent supply of water, grass, and wood. They had experienced what Baley described as "beautiful and interesting" scenery and encountered only friendly Native Americans; however, a drastic change in these conditions was imminent. According to Baley, on July 29 Savedra informed the Rose–Baley Party, now camped near Leroux Springs, that

6100-550: The emigrants, were promised that the wagon train planned to travel through the region en route to their intended destination in Southern California. This seemed to appease the Natives, many of whom helped the party during their descent down the western slope of the Black Mountains to the Colorado River below. The emigrants were now entering Mohave country, near present-day Needles, California . By midnight,

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6200-506: The first European settlers in the area of the present-day United States and people who descend from more recent European arrivals. Since the 17th century, European Americans have been the largest panethnic group in what is now the United States. The Spaniards are thought to have been the first Europeans to establish a continuous presence in what is now the contiguous United States , with Martín de Argüelles ( b. 1566) in St. Augustine , then

6300-460: The highest percentages of hidden African ancestry. European Americans on average are: "98.6 percent Native European, 0.19 percent Native African and 0.18 percent Native American." Inferred British/Irish ancestry is found in European Americans from all states at mean proportions of above 20%, and represents a majority of ancestry, above 50% mean proportion, in states such as Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Scandinavian ancestry in European Americans

6400-448: The imprecise or cultural regionalization of Europe, the subgroups are nevertheless used widely in cultural or ethnic identification. This is particularly the case in diasporic populations, as with European people in the United States generally. In alphabetical order, some of the subgroups are: Before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans predominantly inhabited the United States. The earliest Europeans to colonize North America were

6500-409: The last five days returned to camp and reported that they had found an acceptable source 40 miles (64 km) distant and another 80 miles (130 km) away. The emigrants spent the next morning filling casks and preparing for travel; they left late that afternoon, and after having trekked continuously for nearly twenty-four hours arrived at Partridge Creek the next day. That night a thunderstorm filled

6600-496: The loose stock racing towards the water. There the emigrants encountered more Mohave, but unlike the friendly ones that greeted them at Sitgreaves Pass, these were rude and hostile. After a thorough watering, the work oxen were returned to the wagons. Rose and his wife, Amanda, decided to scout the river bank for a suitable campsite, exiting their wagon to make the journey by foot. Moments later, an aggressive Mohave placed his hand on her shoulder and bosom, and she ran back, terrified, to

6700-426: The morning and afternoon, the Rose–Baley Party stopped to prepare their first meal of the day. Soon afterward, a small group of Mohave warriors approached and asked, in a combination of broken English and Spanish, how many people their wagon train included and whether they intended to permanently settle near the Colorado River. The Mohave, who appeared friendly and had brought with them corn and melons, which they sold to

6800-506: The most part over an elevated region. It is salubrious: not one of our party requiring the slightest medical attendance from the time of our leaving to our arrival ... It crosses the great desert (which must be crossed by any road to California) at its narrowest point." During the summer of 1858, a large emigrant wagon train became the first to traverse Beale's 35th parallel route to Mohave country. A wealthy businessman from Keosauqua, Iowa , Leonard John Rose, known as L.J. Rose, formed

6900-489: The mountains of southern Colorado, and the Cimarron Cutoff avoided mountains, but traversed the 50 mi (80 km)-wide Cimarron Desert before the paths met near Las Vegas, New Mexico . The Cimarron Cutoff was 100 miles (160 km) shorter and easier to navigate with large wagons, but according to Baley it also led its travelers through the territory of the hostile Comanche and Kiowa people. Nonetheless,

7000-414: The next acceptable supply. Udell wrote, "Our water still holds out ... like the widow's cruse of oil, and tastes more pleasant, having been stirred up so often for us." On August 13, Udell noted that the area received a substantial rainfall that marginally eased the Rose–Baley Party's concerns regarding the scarcity of water in the region. Later that evening, the men who had been searching for it during

7100-442: The next reliable drinking water was seventy or 80 miles (130 km) away, and there would not be a closer source until the coming rainy season. This distance exceeded what most animals could travel without water, and several members of the party were opposed to proceeding any further west until another source had been found. Udell disagreed, "I contended that we had better travel on, for, with careful and proper treatment, we could get

7200-574: The next train, or an emigrant might "whip up" to overtake a forward train after a quarrel. Some might break away to settle in Colorado Territory or other territories along the way. 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 . While Native Americans might attempt to raid horses under cover of darkness, they rarely attacked

7300-552: The next water available to the Rose–Baley Party was at a spot named Jacob's Well, located 36 miles (58 km) west of Zuni Pueblo and 32 miles (51 km) west of their July 10 campsite. Accordingly, Baley notes that the emigrants were careful to not get lost between watering holes. Udell recorded that, after traveling for more than half a day, they rested and watered their stock at the well, which produced brackish but acceptable water. Later that evening, they trekked another 8 miles (13 km) to Navajo Springs , where they camped for

7400-578: The night and rested the next day. According to Udell's journal, after Navajo Springs the next available water was 40 miles (64 km) distant, at the Little Colorado River . In between was an area that is now home to Petrified Forest National Park , and several members of the party gathered souvenirs of petrified wood there. They reached the Little Colorado at a spot near present-day Holbrook, Arizona , on July 16, and although

7500-402: The number of people with British ancestry was considered to be significantly under-counted, as many people in that demographic tended to identify themselves simply as Americans (20,151,829 or 7.2%). A 2015 genetic study of 148,789 European Americans concluded that British ancestry was the most common European ancestry among white Americans, with this component ranging between 20% and 55% of

7600-549: The numerous generations that separate respondents from their forebears and the apparent unimportance to many whites of European origin, responses appear quite inconsistent". As the largest component of the American population, the overall American culture deeply reflects the European-influenced culture that predates the United States of America as an independent state. Much of American culture shows influences from

7700-401: The only known journal kept by a member of the group. John Udell , a 62-year-old Baptist minister who had left his home in Missouri with his wife, Emily, kept a daily record of the party's travels, recording the locations of their campsites and their estimated distance from Missouri, the weather and road conditions, and the availability of grass, water, and wood. Baley described Udell's journal as

7800-450: The other two animals were found nearby, having been recently killed, but not yet butchered. That night, the Rose–Baley Party decided to once again split their wagon train in response to the scarcity of water. According to Baley, as they journeyed from their campsite at Peach Springs to the Colorado River more than 100 miles (160 km) away, they were almost continuously harassed by Natives, who sent arrows flying into their wagon train during

7900-406: The party were killed, including five children, and thirteen wounded. The emigrants killed several of the attackers, and decided to backtrack more than 500 miles (800 km) to Albuquerque, New Mexico , instead of continuing on to their intended destination in southern California. According to Charles W. Baley, great-grand nephew of Baley company leader, Gillum Baley, and the author of Disaster at

8000-595: The party's stock had grown extremely thirsty. The supply at Cataract Canyon was limited, and it contained what Udell called "wigglers"; however, they had no choice but to drink from, and allow their animals to drink from, the less than ideal source. By August 9, the Rose–Baley Party had begun to lose confidence in Savedra's ability to find water, and had been forced to do their own scouting for the precious resource. They had taken to building casks out of pine in hopes that they could gather enough in containers to last them until

8100-441: The party, including Rose and Udell, carved their names into stone —a tradition dating back to 1605. Their inscriptions indicated that they were aware of being the first emigrants in the region. On July 10, the Rose–Baley Party reached Zuni Pueblo, which according to Baley was then home to as many as 2,000 Native Americans. They spent several hours visiting and sightseeing, and the Zuni sold them cornmeal and vegetables, as this

8200-568: The peak heat of the day. They covered 20 miles (32 km) on July 25 before stopping near a spring in the pine-covered foothills of Arizona's tallest mountains, the San Francisco Peaks, which can be seen for 100 miles (160 km) in most directions. The range's cool forests gave them a much-needed respite from the intense heat and aridity of the high plains desert. Baley notes that the Rose–Baley Party so enjoyed their camp, near present-day Flagstaff, Arizona , they decided to devote

8300-425: The purpose of stealing, but the guard kept so sharp a lookout that they found no opportunity." On August 20, the party awoke to another fifty Hualapai anticipating gifts in exchange for the return of the stolen animals. The Natives left around noon, after receiving tobacco, trinkets, and food, but the emigrants noticed that six oxen were missing. A search team located four carcasses that had been stripped of their flesh;

8400-535: The region, driving many mid-westerners to seek a better life in California. The combined Baley-Hedgpeth outfits were led by a 44-year-old veteran of the Black Hawk War , Gillum Baley, and comprised eight Murphy wagons , 62 oxen, 75 head of cattle, and several riding horses. They employed half-a-dozen grubstakers to tend their stock. The Rose company left Iowa in April; they traveled to Kansas City, Missouri , then named Westport, which they reached via steamboat across

8500-429: The relative safety of their wagon. Rose, not wanting to incite the Mohave, ignored the incident and continued to the river. Other Mohave harassed Alpha Brown's family, briefly threatening to take his wife's dress and abduct their son. That danger was averted, but many Mohave set about driving off and slaughtering several of the party's cattle before leaving the emigrants alone at their encampment, some two hundred yards from

8600-406: The rich meadow lands are agricultural, and consequently peaceable, they are very numerous, so much so that we counted 800 men around our camp on the second day after our arrival on the banks of the river. The temptation of scattered emigrant parties with their families, and the confusion of inexperienced teamsters, rafting so wide and rapid a river with their wagons and families, would offer too strong

8700-418: The river and 10 miles (16 km) away from the Baley company's mountain camp. The following morning, they moved their camp to the river bank to facilitate easier watering of their stock. They were visited around noon by twenty-five warriors and a Mohave sub-chief, who heard their complaints about the killing of their livestock and assured them that no further depredations would occur, and that they could cross

8800-650: The river was brackish and underscored with quicksand , the emigrants were able to secure drinkable water by digging holes in the riverbank that allowed sediment to settle until the water was clear enough for consumption. Next, they followed the river 85 miles (137 km) to a location that Baley identified as Canyon Diablo . On July 18, Udell recorded that spirits were high amongst the Rose–Baley Party: "Our large company continue to be harmonious, friendly, and kind to each other ... General good health prevails ... Travel today, 10 miles (16 km), and 1,112 from

8900-438: The separation of powers and the federal system along with English law in common law. Another area of cultural influence are American Patriotic songs : Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of American officialdom. Some European Americans have varying amounts of Native American and Native African ancestry. In a recent study, Gonçalves et al. 2007 reported Native African and Native American mtDna lineages at

9000-403: The stock through to water, and if we remain here until the rainy season, in all human probability our provisions would be exhausted, and we should parish with starvation." Despite his pleas, nobody wanted to go on until they had located potable water, so six men agreed to undertake a search in hopes that Savedra had overlooked a closer source. Two days later, a man returned to camp and reported that

9100-439: The total population in all 50 states. The same applies to Americans of Spanish ancestry, as many people in that demographic tend to identify themselves as Hispanic and Latino Americans (58,846,134 or 16.6%), even though they carry a mean of 65.1% European genetic ancestry, mainly from Spain . An increasing number of people ignored the ancestry question or chose no specific ancestral group such as "American or United States". In

9200-470: The total, arrived from Northwestern Europe , principally Great Britain , Ireland , Germany , and Scandinavia , known as "Old Immigration". Between 1881 and 1893, the pattern shifted in the sources of U.S. "New Immigration." Between 1894 and 1914, immigrants from Central , Eastern , and Southern Europe accounted for 69% of the total. Prior to 1960, the overwhelming majority came from Europe or of European descent from Canada. Immigration from Europe as

9300-456: The well-traveled trails are still visible today. Originally, westward movement began in small groups, but well-funded travelers with 100 or more wagons could employ professional wagon masters (or trail masters) and hostlers . Overland emigrants discovered smaller groups of 20 to 40 wagons were more manageable than larger ones, especially without professional wagon masters. Many operated under democratic principles, creating bylaws and electing

9400-438: The wounded in one wagon, the children in the ambulance, and the healthy adults on foot, the Rose company began the difficult journey back to Albuquerque, during which, according to the author Arthur Woodward, they observed a fiery comet that further upset the already frightened children. By 10 p.m. the party began to hear war whoops and the clanging of pots and pans coming from the direction of the Colorado River. Baley suggests that

9500-520: Was a reliable supply of food and water along the way, and the area was free of hostile Native Americans. E.F. Beale was in Washington, D.C. at the time, making recommendations to members of Congress and the War Department : I regard the establishment of a military post on the Colorado River as an indispensable necessity for the emigrant over this road; for although the Indians living in

9600-407: Was inspired with an irresistible desire to experience in person the delights to be found in the land of plenty. To finance the venture, Rose sold the majority of his assets, and after paying off his debts was left with $ 30,000, then a considerable amount of money. These funds enabled him to finance an especially well-equipped wagon train that included twenty horses, including two Morgan fillies and

9700-547: Was partly contingent upon finding assistance from west-bound emigrants. Before beginning the return trip, they wrapped Alpha Brown's body in chains and committed it to the Colorado River. With only one remaining wagon and the ambulance, they decided which items they could carry and which they should abandon. Those who were able rode horses, and the rest walked. This day all who were left alive of Mr. Rose's party came into camp, bringing melancholy intelligence.  —Udell's journal, August 31, 1858 At approximately 6 p.m., with

9800-575: Was the last such opportunity to purchase supplies until San Bernardino, approximately 500 miles (800 km) away. According to Baley, this is most likely the first time the Zuni had encountered European women and children, and the first time the emigrants had ever seen people with albinism , which, although rare, was noticeably present in the Zuni population. They left Zuni Pueblo late that afternoon and entered unfamiliar territory that, until now, had only been traversed by Native Americans, explorers, mountain men , and Spanish missionaries. In Baley's opinion,

9900-434: Was too long for their animals to travel without water, the party decided to backtrack approximately 26 miles (42 km) to the location of the last reliable supply at Cataract Creek. Udell again protested to no avail, recording in his journal that night: "Had there been a road that I could have traveled without a guide, I should have gone on and risked the consequences." Having trekked 52 miles (84 km) without clean water,

10000-475: Was used by Alpha Brown and his family. Rose's family traveled in a small wagon that had once been used as an ambulance, which was pulled by a pair of mules. According to Baley, political and economic factors prompted two Hedgpeth and two Baley families to leave northwestern Missouri for California in early 1858. One factor was the enactment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act , which admitted Nebraska into

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