98 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



name of seaman Edward Fitzsimmons, who was especially charged 

 by Lieutenant Porter with the care of the animals, and who, to a 

 faithful discharge of the trust confided to him, added such zealous 

 solicitude for their safety, that much of the favorable issue of the ex- 

 periment, so far, is undoubtedly to be attributed to his watchfulness. 



To the rest of the officers and crew of the ship the thanks of the 

 department are also due, for the interest they have manifested in the 

 object of the expedition and for the earnestness with which they at all 

 times contributed to its success. 



Will you permit me to call your attention again to my request of 

 the 8th of February, for the work on climatology mentioned in my 

 letter of that date ; and to ask you to send me also a good work on 

 the diseases of the ox tribe, the camel resembling very closely that 

 class of ruminants. These, as well as any instructions you may have 

 for me, will reach me at Indianola, where the condition of the ani- 

 mals will necessarily detain me a month or six weeks before I can think 

 of proceeding with them into the interior. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 



Major, United States Army. 



Hon. Jefferson Davis, 



Secretary of War, Washington. 



May 8, 11 a. m. 



P. S. The "Supply" has just anchored inside of the Southwest 

 Pass. The Fashion passed up on Tuesday, and is to be down again 

 to-morrow. 



H. C. W. 



Indianola, Texas, May 14, 1856. 



Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival here with " the camels." 

 The animals were safely landed, all, by 11^ a. ra., at Powder Horn. 

 They are in good condition, considering their long confinement on 

 shipboard, and the tossing upon the sea that they have been subjected 

 to, and with the exception of a few boils and swelled legs, are appar- 

 ently in health. On being landed, and feeling once again the "solid 

 earth" beneath them, they became excited to an almost uncontrolla- 

 ble degree, rearing, kicking, crying out, breaking halters, tearing up 

 pickets, and by other fantastic tricks demonstrating their enjoyment 

 of " the liberty of the soil." Some of the males, becoming even pug- 

 nacious in their excitement, were with difficulty restrained from attack- 

 ing each other. 



Saddling them as soon as it could be done, they were gently led to 

 this place, arranged in the stable put up for them by Captain Van 

 Bokkelen, and secured. This occupied us until about 8 p. m. My 

 attention for "two or three days must be given exclusively to the 

 animals, which will prevent me, for that time, from writing to you 



