Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.

1) The group reached Independence Missouri, which was considered the official start of the Oregon Trail, in the middle of May.

2) In April 1846, a group of eight families left Springfield Illinois to join the many heading west in search of a better life.

3) Among those joining him was the eponymous George Donner, who would become wagon captain, along with his wife and five daughters.

4) This caravan was being organised by a businessman and farmer named James Reed, who would travel with his wife and four children.