The Chisholms is a CBS western miniseries starring Robert Preston, which aired from March 29, 1979, to April 19, 1979; and continued as a television series from January 19, 1980, to March 15, 1980. The 1979 miniseries showed the family moving from Virginia to Wyoming. When the TV series commenced in 1980, the pioneers were shown en route along the California Trail from Wyoming to Sacramento, California.
Ft. Laramie comes under siege from hostile Native Americans as the Chisholm family draw near.
Betsy uses her charms to create a rivalry between Bo and Gideon for her affections. When grazing foe the cattle is destroyed by fire the troops use grain intended for the Indians for feed.
Hadley decides he can not be in a wagon train with Cooper Hawkins. He leaves the train and takes a new, faster trail to California through the desert. Betsy asks if she can join the Chisholms, but she starts to cause family friction.
As the Chisholms continue across the desert, the come across Betsy's brothers. Soon, Cooper Hawkins arrives and is searching for the brothers. Hadley has to decide who is telling the truth.
The family realizes they don't have enough food to get through the mountains. Will and Keewidinok go on ahead to get supplies and bring them back. Snow starts to fall as the wagons move. Hadley's health does not seem to be improving.
The family buries Hadley and finds an empty tavern and bar near by. Min decides she wants to stay. They learn there is a tax lien on the property and they don't have any money. An old friend of Cooper's rides by.
A friend of Hawkins stops by for a visit. He leaves and then returns with a bullet hole. Min and the girls go into town where Min catches the attention of Mr. Sinclair who is a widower.
While the family is picking up some apple trees they ordered from Cape Horn, Keewidinok's life was saved by a black man who had just arrived from Africa. When they arrived home, the trees were broken and family arguments ensued.
Bo's friendship with a Franciscan padre tries the patience of devoutly Baptist Minerva.
