158 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



their march by the want of water along the route. On Monday, Sep- 

 tember 1, Captain McLean, assistant quartermaster at San Antonio, 

 sent back the camels to me at 12 m., with 3,648 pounds of oats, an 

 average of 608 pounds to each animal. At 6 p. m. on Wednesday, 

 the 3d of September, the camels were again in this camp and had 

 delivered their loads, having travelled leisurely and with much less 

 weight than they could easily have transported. On Tuesday, Sep- 

 tember 2, the wagons were returned by Captain McLean at 12 m. 

 On Saturday, September 6, they arrived in camp at 12^ p. m., only 

 one wagon carrying 1,900 pounds, and the others averaging about 

 1,800 — the loads that experience has taught can be safely transported 

 in them over this rough and thinly settled country. From this trial 

 it will be seen that the six camels transported over the same ground 

 and distance the weight of two six mule wagons, and gained on them 

 42^ hours in time. Remember, moreover, that the keep of a camel 

 is about the same as that of a mule, (if any difference it being rather 

 in favor of the camel, as it eats no more, and ruminates like a cow,) 

 and that there is no heavy outlay for wagons, harness, &c., (the only 

 equipment being a very rude pack-saddle that can be made by the 

 camel drivers themselves,) and you will have all the data necessary 

 for a comparison of the two methods of transportation just related. 

 Now, I do not mean to be understood from this statement as advanc- 

 ing any general abstract opinion that six camels are equal in trans- 

 portation to twelve good mules and two strong, well-built wagons. 

 But I mean to say that, viewed in relation to this vast unsettled 

 country, where the roughness of the roads limits materially the loads 

 placed in the wagons, and where the general want of water through- 

 out regulates the day's journey of mules, six camels will accom- 

 plish as much as two six- mule teams, and in less time, and at much less 

 expense. Another test of the advantage of the animal is before me, in 

 a trial of them over a straight road hence to San Antonio, by which 

 some miles in distance are saved, but which, lying over the moun- 

 tains, is, from its roughness, impracticable for wagons. 



On the 8th of September 1 had an opportunity of experimenting 

 with one of the dromedaries. Lieutenant Chamblis went out with a 

 small party, and with him I sent a dromedary to transport the pro- 

 visions and forage (corn) for the men and horses, seven of each. The 

 next day he returned, and from his report and that of the men the 

 trial was very successful, the dromedary following the horses where- 

 ever they went, not only keeping up with them, but showing that, if not 

 restrained, he would have gone ahead of them. The weight he trans- 

 ported was between 300 and 400 pounds. 



For several months to come it will not be proper to put the camels 

 and dromedaries to work regularly, on account of their long sea voy- 

 age, their want of acclimation, and the near approach of the rutting 

 season ; but from time to time I can find opportunities, as I have 

 already done, to test their adaptation to the military service, and their 

 usefulness and economy in transportation generally. Meanwhile 

 there is ample occupation in studying their equipment with a view 

 to their improvement, and in instructing some of Captain Palmer's 



