The US Army Camel Corps and other notable camels in US history

  • History
  • Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Army History
In summary, a debate arose over the deployment of camels in America, with Major Wayne proposing a delay for raising, studying, and training domestically bred herds. However, Jefferson Davis and John Floyd supported immediate deployment limited to the US Army. The Camel Corps' first assignment occurred in February 1857, and the camels became a part of American folklore, with legends of phantom camels appearing in the Southwest. In 1901, a herd of wild camels was reportedly seen in Arizona. There were also small Gatling guns made for troops with camels, including a one-humper and two-humper version.
  • #1
Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
8,143
1,761
... A debate immediately arose over the deployment of the camels that would prove crucial in determining their future. Major Wayne's vision was one in which camels not only performed military service, but would also become a common feature of American commercial and private life. To this end, he proposed a three- to four-year delay of their deployment during which large, domestically bred herds could be raised, studied and trained. But both Jefferson Davis and his successor as secretary of war, John Floyd, backed immediate deployment limited to US Army service. Their views prevailed.

The Camel Corps' first assignment came in February 1857...

...Roaming the deserts, these camels unwittingly carved themselves a niche in American folklore. Legends of phantom camels popped up throughout the Southwest, prominent among them that of the "Red Ghost," which was said to have been sighted several times with a headless corpse strapped to its back. In 1901, members of the US-Mexico boundary commission reported seeing a herd of wild camels in southern Arizona... [continued]
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200203/camels.west.htm
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
You may wish to Google the temrs "Gatling" and "camel gun" too. It gets pretty weird, but verifiable, just same.

There were small Gatling guns made for the troops with camels.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
turbo-1 said:
You may wish to Google the temrs "Gatling" and "camel gun" too. It gets pretty weird, but verifiable, just same.

There were small Gatling guns made for the troops with camels.

Of course there was a one humper and a two humper camel gun. :rolleyes:
 

FAQ: The US Army Camel Corps and other notable camels in US history

What is the US Army Camel Corps?

The US Army Camel Corps was a military experiment conducted by the US Army in the mid-19th century to determine the feasibility of using camels as pack animals in the arid regions of the American Southwest. The Corps was established in 1856 and disbanded in 1866.

Why did the US Army decide to use camels?

The US Army saw camels as a potential solution to the challenges of transporting supplies and equipment in the harsh desert conditions of the Southwest. Camels were known for their ability to carry heavy loads, travel long distances without water, and navigate difficult terrain.

How many camels were brought to the US for the Camel Corps?

A total of 77 camels were brought to the US as part of the Camel Corps, including both dromedaries (single-humped) and Bactrian (double-humped) camels. They were imported from the Middle East, specifically from Egypt and Turkey.

What happened to the camels after the disbandment of the Camel Corps?

After the Camel Corps was disbanded in 1866, many of the camels were sold at auction or given away. Some were used for various purposes, such as working in mines or as circus animals. Others were simply released into the wild and are believed to have formed small herds in the Southwest.

Are there any notable camels in US history besides those in the Camel Corps?

Yes, there have been other notable camels in US history. One of the most famous was a camel named "Old Douglas" who served as a mascot for the 43rd Mississippi Infantry during the Civil War. Another notable camel was "Hi Jolly" (real name: Hadji Ali), a Syrian camel driver who worked for the US Army during the Camel Corps experiment and later became a legend in Arizona. He is buried in Quartzsite, Arizona and a monument stands in his honor.

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top