Into the West (miniseries)

Into the West is a 2005 miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks which began as a six-week event on June 10, 2005 on Turner Network Television (TNT). Each of the six episodes is two hours in length (including commercials).

Episode 4 - Hell on Wheels

In December 1863, Clara reaches Omaha and finds her cousins, Daniel Wheeler (Lance Henriksen), Robert Wheeler (Warren Kole), Jackson Wheeler (Glen Powell Jr.), and Lilly Wheeler (Mia Stallard). Daniel is a wheelwright in Omaha, and is not happy to see Clara; only through the works of his wife and their son Robert, does Daniel agree to take Clara in.

Related Topics:
Lance Henriksen - Wheelwright

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The race is on as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads lay down tracks across the U.S., bringing East and West together. Joining the Central Pacific railroad crew is Jacob Wheeler's son Abe, who is working east from Sacramento. He meets and befriends Chow-Ping Yen (Garrett Wang), and works with the Chinese workers ("Coolies"). Chow-Ping saves Abes life at one point.

Related Topics:
Central Pacific - Union Pacific Railroad - Garrett Wang - Coolies

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In March 1864 while photographing California Governor Frederick Low, Ethan Biggs and his wife, Margaret (Jacob?s daughter), decide to see some the Indian Territory and take a stagecoach to Denver.

Related Topics:
Frederick Low - Stagecoach

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While in Denver they hear LtCol John Chivington speak against the Indians and recruit for the Third Colorado Cavalry. On a stagecoach leaving Denver, Ethan and Margaret are captured by Roman Nose (Rod

Related Topics:
John Chivington - Third Colorado Cavalry

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Rondeaux), taken to the camp of Black Kettle, where they are adopted by the Cheyenne.

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While Ethan photographs the people of Black Kettle's camp, Margaret works to establish peace between the Cheyenne and the local Governor and Army. On September 28, 1864, Black Kettle holds council with Colorado Territory Governor John Evans, Colonel John Chivington and Major Wynkoop (Arron Shiver), to ensure peace. Major Wynkoop's character is based on Silas Soule.

Related Topics:
John Evans - John Chivington - Silas Soule

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On November 29, 1864, Colonel Chivington attacks Black Kettle's village with the Third Colorado Cavalry, and most of the village, to include Ethan Biggs, are killed at the Sand Creek Massacre. Margaret is saved by Black Kettle.

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Red Cloud (Raoul Trujillo) is introduced in the miniseries and begins his gathering of forces that will lead to Red Cloud's War. On December 21, 1866, a large band of Cheyenne and Sioux under Crazy Horse (Tatanka Means) attack a supply train near Fort Phil Kearny. Capt. Fetterman (Dylan Kenin) leads a relief party of 80 men. Ignoring orders not to venture beyond Lodge Trail Ridge, he led his troops into an ambush. He and his entire party were killed in the attack, later called the Fetterman Massacre.

Related Topics:
Red Cloud - Red Cloud's War - Crazy Horse - Fort Phil Kearny - Fetterman - The Fetterman Massacre

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Jacob Jr., becomes a scout for the Army, and works for Col George Armstrong Custer (Jonathan Scarfe) and the 7th Cavalry.

Related Topics:
George Armstrong Custer - 7th Cavalry

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General William Tecumseh Sherman meets with Black Kettle, other Indian Chiefs and while Margaret watches another treaty is signed. Despite the treaty, on November 27, 1868, Col Custer and the 7th Cavalry attack Black Kettle's Cheyenne village at the Battle of Washita River. Margaret is taken captive to an Army Fort and reunited with her brother Jacob Jr., who tries to help her.

Related Topics:
William Tecumseh Sherman - Battle of Washita River

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Abe continues to work on the railroad until the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, with the driving of the Golden Spike, joining the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at

Related Topics:
First Transcontinental Railroad - Golden Spike

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Promontory Summit (sometimes called Promontory Point, which is, however, a different location at the southern tip of a peninsula in the Great Salt Lake).

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Meanwhile, Daniel Wheeler, his sons, Robert and Jackson, together with distant cousin Clara seek their fortune in several railroad boomtowns, starting with North Platte, Nebraska. By May 1868 they are in Cheyenne. But after the transcontinental railroad is completed on May 10, 1869, Robert and Clara decide to strike out on their own.

Related Topics:
Boomtowns - North Platte, Nebraska - Cheyenne

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• When Abe Wheeler walks away from Chow-Ping, he is no longer seen in the series, although it is assumed that he died in some manner. This could also be considered a plot hole in that there is no explanation of what has become of him.