123 



Finally, to get the utmost out of a Camel Corps, it should bo 

 permitted aud able to act indopoudently of other troops, cavalry 

 move too fast for it, infantry too slowly. The essence of such 

 corps is to be able to strike blows unexpectedly at great distances 

 and to perform long tedious marches in a small number of days. 

 Tho camels must not be hurried ; they must be groomed, well 

 fed,"**" and watered daily. Ordinary marches of Camel Corps are 

 30 miles per diem, miles per hour is said to be the best pace 

 Avhen there are only running camels to be dealt with. Grazing 

 should be given when practicable, some grain daily is good for 

 the animals, and should be flavoured with salt. The loads must 

 not be too great ; 2G() lb. for camels doing severe continued 

 work is sufficient ; this has sometimes to be much exceeded, as in 

 Artillery camels, of which the loads are arranged to vary from 

 551 lb. to 333 lb., aud some of them, especially the Trail, are 

 very awkward aud prevent a driver being carried. Chevalier's 

 Corps, on one occasion, marched 550 miles in eight days 

 (nearly 70 miles per diem) ; Major Bethune's Corps was on 

 the road 42 hours out of 48 hours before confronting the enemy ; 

 and lost only 2 out of 155 camels during five months' active 

 service ; rather a contrast to the Nile records ! Carbuccia lost 

 5 by death and 16 became inefficient out of 277 on an expedition 

 which lasted eighty days. 



Sore backs sre the greatest cause of inefficiency in camel 

 corps, the saddlery needs experienced and constant attention. 

 The Indian pattern saddle is the lightest and best. The men's 

 blankets are tied over the saddle to make the seat comfortable. 

 Napoleon's men used to carry' the musket on the oif side of the 

 saddle, and some rations and ammunition in the saddle pockets. 

 Cooking pots, intrenching tools, reserve ammunition, and water 

 tins are generally carried by baggage camels. 



Water has generally to be carried in the countries where camel 

 corps are most serviceable. The common water-bottle may be 

 used tied behind the saddle. Also at Suakim canvas hose water- 

 bottles, 5 feet long by 2^ feet in diameter, proved very useful ; 

 they contained 5 quarts of water, were filled easily by means 

 * It is useful to carry some spices (masalah; for the camels. 



