PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 199 



on two more bales, about eighteen hundred pounds, but four bales 

 were sufficient for my purposes, and the animal had no particular 

 effort (objectionabk after so long a sea voyage) to make under them, 



I have not reported to you every instance of use to which the 

 ■camels have been put, thinking it to be unnecessary ; but their service 

 has been in character with my reports of the 24tli September and No- 

 vember 5, 1856. At the^commencement of December their use in cara- 

 van was suspended, the rutting season then beginning, and will not be 

 resumed on account of it until March. Captain Palmer and Assistant 

 Surgeon Smith are now superintending, as requested, the breeding. 

 Two births, still-born, the get of last year, have been reported to me. 

 On this bad fortune, and the probability of its being the case with all 

 the females impregnated last year, Dr. Smith expresses an opinion 

 that seems reasonable. [See his letter herewith,,] I have never, 

 myself, hoped for anything from the crossing of last year, but regard 

 that portion of th^ experiment as commencing with the present 

 season, after the acclimation, and in the usual condition of the animal. 



As soon as the lot recently brought over have been landed in Texas, 

 and have recovered the use of their legs — say in three or four weeks — 

 they should be taken up to the Yerde, where the others are, and where 

 they could be properly sheltered and cared for. 



With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant^ 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 

 Major United States Army. 



Hon. Jefferson Davis, 



Secretary of War, Washington, 



Camp Yerde, Texas, January 29, 185 Y. 

 My Dear Major : The day after your departure from San Antonio, 

 S started for the Yerde by the Cibolo, and arrived in safety, finding 

 ■everybody and everything doing well. Mild weather still continues, 

 the thermometer not having been below 40"^ since I saw you. In fact, 

 I think the severity of the winter entirely passed, and the camels, I 

 think, have suffered none from the cold. The night after my return 

 another camel was born dead, and, as far as I can judge, I think that 

 the most, if not every one, of the camels begotten on ship-board will 

 1)0 still-born. The reason m obvious, the unusual and unnatural sea 

 voyage. 



With great respect, truly yours, 



JOS. R. SMITH, 



Assistant Surgeon. 

 Major Henry C. Wayne, 



United States Army, Washington City. 



