196 PUECHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



That it may be fully appreciated, I will premise that from my first 

 connexion with the experiment, in 1848, to the present time, I have 

 never entertained the idea that the benefits to be derived from the 

 introduction of the animal among us could be extensively realized in 

 our day. I regard it more in the light of a legacy to posterity, of 

 precisely the same character as the introduction of the horse and 

 other domestic animals by the early settlers of America has been to 

 us. With this view, it seems to me that while at the same time we 

 carry out the immediate purposes of utility and economy specified in 

 the resolution of Congress authorizing the experiment, the uses of 

 the camels imported should be in subordination to the breeding of and 

 establishing the stock among us. Indeed, the breeding and the 

 character of the stock that may be produced are essential features of 

 the experiment itself. The transportation of the animal from the 

 old to the new world has been fully and successfully demonstrated. 

 The acclimation has been partially, and so far fortunately, accom- 

 plished — so fortunately that I have no doubt of its complete success. 

 The breeding and the character of the stock yet remain to be shown ; 

 and for this time and careful management are required. The mili- 

 tary benefits to be derived from the introduction of the camel, are in 

 my view, of little moment in comparison with its bearing upon trade 

 and communication throughout the vast interior of our continent ; 

 and to the army has been committed, it seems to me, the charge of 

 an experiment which, in its action upon the development of our coun- 

 try, if successful, may be regarded as initiatory of railroad connexion, 

 not only across, but in the northern and southern directions of the 

 •continent. 



I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that the camels imported 

 have a fixed home for three or four years, at least, at some point on the 

 frontier, where they may be carefully tended, and from which they 

 may be used from time to time in transportation and scouting. The 

 point at which they are now established presents excellent opportuni- 

 ties for all the requirements of the experiment, and particularly for 



• comparison with the ordinary means of transportation through an 

 arid and broken country, with range of service embracing journeys 

 of from sixty to six hundred miles. I recommend^ then, that they 

 be kept where they are. 



For the care and management of the camels enlisted men are neces- 

 sary — say twenty-five, including three or four good non-commissioned 

 officers. For this purpose, unattached recruits may be assigned, per- 

 haps, as to the cavalry and artillery services at the Military Academy. 

 My observation and experience with civil employes in Texas satisfy 

 me conclusively that the successful accomplishment of the experiment 



• can only be justly attained by the rigidness of military responsibility. 



The officer in charge of the experiment should be left very much 

 to the guidance of his own judgment and discretion, with as few mili- 

 tary superiors over him as may be consistent with the laws and rules 



• of service, both as a matter of justice to his individual reputation, 

 ;and for the stronger reason that with a division of control and accoun- 

 ^tability responsibility ceases. 



These main features established, the details of the arrangement will 



