The Fascinating Saga of the U.S. Camel Corps
Long before the automobile dominated America’s vast western deserts, the U.S. Army ran a unique and unexpected experiment with camels.
In the mid-19th century, as the United States expanded westward, the government faced daunting challenges associated with traversing and securing arid, inhospitable routes through the Southwest. Horses and mules suffered in the harsh heat and dry conditions, inspiring a search for a creature better suited to the desert. At the urging of Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, Congress authorized the importation of camels in 1855 as part of the “Camel Corps” initiative.
Led by Major Henry C. Wayne and the legendary explorer Lt. Edward F. Beale, the Army purchased 75 camels from the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. These “ships of the desert” arrived in Texas to the curiosity and skepticism of local soldiers and civilians alike. The camels were taller, stronger, and vastly more tolerant of heat and thirst than traditional pack animals. They could carry much heavier loads, travel longer distances without water, and showcased astonishing stamina.
Beale oversaw a famous 1857 expedition to survey a wagon road from Texas to California. His camel caravan proved both impressive and practical, with camels enduring conditions that left horses near collapse. Soldiers eventually warmed to the animals, remarking on their endurance and efficiency. However, camels were not without difficulties. Their scent and behavior startled horses and mules. Handlers voiced frustration over their stubbornness and camouflage skills—camels resting unmoving in sand could be mistaken for boulders.
The outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 shifted attention and resources away from the experiment. The Camel Corps project languished as Confederate soldiers seized some herds and remaining animals were neglected. By the late 1860s, the Army disbanded the project. Most camels were auctioned off or abandoned, some finding work with private freighters, ranchers, or even circuses. A number of camels are believed to have escaped into the wild, prompting scattered reports of camel sightings well into the 20th century in the American Southwest.
Today, the U.S. Camel Corps remains a quirky and largely forgotten episode in military history—a testament to ingenuity and adaptation in an era of dramatic growth and change. For many, it is a little-known reminder that America’s exploration of the West included not only cowboys and cavalry, but also the indomitable camel.###END###
