THE MULE. J 9 



not believe that any mule in the team lost as much as 

 ten pounds of flesh. Each of these mules, let me say, 

 was upward of five years old. 



In 1858, 1 took a train of mules to Camp Floyd, in 

 Utah, forty-eight miles south of Salt Lake City; 

 During the march there were days and nights that 

 I could not get a drop of water for the animals. 

 The young mules, three and four years old, gave out 

 from sheer exhaustion ; while the older ones kept up, 

 and had to draw the wagons along. Now, there are 

 many purposes to which a young mule may be put with 

 advantage ; but they are altogether unfit for army 

 purposes, and the sooner the Government stops using 

 them, the better. 



When they are purchased for army use, they are al- 

 most sure to be put into a train, and turned over to the 

 tender mercies of some teamster, who knows nothing 

 whatever about the character of the animal. And here 

 let me say that thousands of the best mules in the army, 

 during the war, were ruined and made useless to the Gov- 

 ernment on account of the incompetency and ignorance 

 of the wagon-masters and teamsters who had to deal 

 with them. Persons who own private teams and horses 

 are generally particular to know the character of the per- 

 son who takes care of them, and to ascertain that he 

 knows his business. Is he a good driver ? Is he a good 

 groom ? Is he careful in feeding and watering ? These 

 are the questions that are asked ; and if he has not these 

 qualities he will not do. But a teamster in the army has 

 none of these questions put to him. No ; he is in trusted 

 with a valuable team, and expected to take proper care 



