150 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES, 



ing me to name a suitable agent for the purchase of additional camels^ 

 ^and to report my opinion of the relative advantages of Powderhorn 

 and Indianola for a depot for the quartermaster's department. 



If it is the intention of government to send out to the east an officer 

 of the array to procure an additional supply of camels, I can specify 

 no one for the duty, as, with the exception of Major Crosman, who de- 

 clined the commission last year, I know of none especially qualified 

 for it, by interest in the experiment, or by study of the animal and 

 the localities in which it is to be found. If it is intended to send a 

 civilian, I have already recommeded one, (Mr. Heap,) who accompanied 

 me in my recent trip, to the favorable notice of the Secretary of War. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 

 Brevet Major, Assistant Quartermaster. 

 Major General Thos. S. Jesup, 



Quartermaster General, Washington City, D. 0. 



San Antonio, June 28, 1856. 



Sir : On the 19th instant I reported to you my arrival here with 

 the camels, and that they were camped about two miles from this at 

 the headwaters of the San Pedro. Finding, however, that this prox- 

 imity to town was not beneficial to my men or animals, I moved theiu 

 out to the Medina, about twelve miles, to the ranch of Major Howard, 

 of San Antonio, with whom I have made a temporary arrangement 

 until their permanent disposition is determined. 



From all that I have learned, the vicinity of this place appears to be 

 as well adapted to the acclimation and breeding of the camel as any 

 part of the country, and to offer more facilities for carrying out these ex- 

 periments than any other ot our posts in Texas. Wherever I may go 

 in Texas, the necessary conveniences for both animals and men must, 

 I find, be constructed, and here I understand that can be done more 

 economically and readily than at other stations. The grazing and 

 water are good, the climate as suitable as any between this and the 

 Pacific, and there is no risk of injury by the Indians. It is, moreover, 

 at convenient distance from the coast for the reception of any future 

 importations that may be made. 



In the selection of a permanent site, however, much will depend 

 upon the views of government as to the purpose of the importation 

 and the uses to which it is desired to put those imported. As to the 

 comparative utility and economy of the animal as a means of trans- 

 portation, there can be no doubt ; and in other respects it is unques- 

 tionably a desirable addition to our stock of domestic animals. Shall 

 those, then, introduced be mainly devoted to breeding and increasing 

 the number, or shall they be put to hard labor with the risk of being 

 worn out in the service ? 



In my view, the introduction of the animal has been the primary 

 object, and to achieve this will lequire time, five years at least. To 



