In the mid nineteenth century, tens of thousands crowded the docks of Liverpool for a one-way voyage to America. In 1856, nearly two thousand of these emigrants were eager to begin a journey that would conclude with a thousand mile walk pushing their possesions in two-wheeled carts across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.

They began the trek in high spirits, even though it meant months of walking. However, for two handcart companies, a late start, harsh winter weather, hunger and illness spelled disaster. More than two hundred perished, and the survivors could only pray for a miracle.

And that miracle came from men who risked their lives traveling hundreds of miles through freezing weather and fierce snowstorms to save almost a thousand emigrants. Dramatic and powerful, Sweetwater Rescue is the story of one of the greatest acts of heroism in nineteenth century America.