Rex Trulove
When people think of camels, they normally think of the sandy desert regions of North Africa and the Middle East. This is understandable in that camels are well adapted for desert conditions. They’ve been used in that region since long before the birth of Jesus and are mentioned in the bible. However, it might come as a surprise to many people, including many Americans, that there are wild camels living in the US.
US camel origins
Camels actually originated in North America and migrated to Asia over the land bridge that once existed. They subsequently died out in North America, though the camel family is still represented in South America, with the alpaca, llama, and vicuna. This naturally means that camels must have been imported if there is currently a breeding population of wild camels in the US. Indeed, that is exactly what happened and it is well documented.
Importation of camels
Early in US history, most expansion occurred from the eastern US to the west. At the time, most of the land west of the Mississippi was wild and lawless. There were also numerous skirmishes between the settlers and various Indian tribes. To help with these issues, the US Army, specifically the cavalry, established a number of forts throughout the west.
One of the problem areas was the desert southwest. The cavalry used horses, but they could only go to places that had available water for the horses to drink and enough food for them to eat. The desert areas were not good for either food or water, but there was a definite need.
In the early 1800’s, a proposal was made to purchase and import some camels. It was noted that camels are capable of traveling long distances without food and water and that they could also maintain a steady pace for days, while horses needed rest much more frequently. At first, the camel proposal was taken lightly, though, and the US Congress didn’t authorize funding.
Opinions about the proposition began to change in the time period from 1846 to 1848, however. That was when the Mexican-American war was fought. Not only was the need for army personnel felt, after the war, the US found itself with a huge amount of primarily desert land, acquired from Mexico. This was the Texas territory.
In 1855, Congress approved the expenditure of $30,000 to acquire some camels, largely due to the efforts of Jefferson Davis, who was the secretary of war at the time.
The Camel Corps
In all, 33 camels were purchased from Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia. By February 1857, the camel herd had grown to 70 animals and these were stationed at Camp Verde, Texas. The advantages of camels over horses and wagons were quickly seen and many people fully supported the expansion of what had become the Camel Corps. This included Lieutinant Colonel Robert E. Lee (pictured), who used camels on a lengthy patrol in 1860.
A number of camels were moved to Camp Tejon in California and it is quite possible that the camel corps would have expanded even more, had it not been for the American Civil War. In particular, the Confederate Army captured Camp Verde, though Camp Tejon remained in Union control. None of the camels were used during the war.
<a data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_Stanton,_head-and-shoulders_portrait.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_Stanton,_head-and-shoulders_portrait.jpg</a>
Edwin Stanton
After the war, the new secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, who was unaware of how useful camels were and could be, ordered the camels to be sold. They were and many of the people who bought them ended up abandoning the animals or purposely turned them loose.
The last official sighting of wild camels in the southwest deserts was in the 1940s. However, since this would indicate that there was a breeding population of camels, it is extremely likely that they still live in that area. In fact, there are a number of people who have claimed to have seen them more recently. There seems to be little interest in the animals, so there have been no official updates to the status of the camels in the southwest US.
It should be mentioned, too, that the camels are technically not wild, but rather feral. The area also has a growing population of feral burros, which are non-native, destroying habitat and yet are protected by law.
Ship of the desert.Thanks for your informative article.
Yes, they’ve been known as the ship of the desert and that makes them ideal for the desert southwest of the US.
I didn’t know but it’s something I haven’t really thought about. A very informative post.
Thank you very much. Most people, including American, never even knew that there was a camel corps. If I remember right, there was a film done about it several decades ago. It was by Disney or NatGeo or Wild Kingdom; one of those that were about nature and things that are unusual.
I thought they only existed in the sahara.
At one time, they were much more widespread than just the Sahara. Still, the Sonoran desert of the South West US is remarkably similar to the Sahara, though not as big.
Fascinating to know. I think it would be awesome traveling through a desert in the U.S. on camelback.
It would sure be more efficient than going on horseback. Horses suffer in desert conditions and camels are made for it.
I didn’t know that camels originated in the USA. You always think of them being Middle Eastern, yes. Very interesting to know. =)
Yep, camels originally came from N. America and horses originally came from Europe and Asia.
Picturing militants on camels, in the morning, before you’ve finished your first cup of coffee, is wildly amusing lol Thank you for sharing, Rex <3 No, I had no idea!
At least the feral camels aren’t causing the same problems caused by the feral burros. :))
I can imagine! So, where can we find these feral camels now?
The last sightings that I’m aware of have been in southwest Arizona and southeast California.
Wonderful! I’ve always wanted to see the Pacific… It’s nice to know more adventure awaits along the way 🙂 I hope all is well with you and yours, my friend <3
ohhh nice godbless murica and the camel
This is something that many people in America don’t know, though it isn’t hidden. Most people here have no notion of the camel corps.
This is history that I love reading. Thanks for sharing.
I’m very glad that you liked it. It is interesting history to me, too. It has unfortunately been all but forgotten.
Thank you for sharing this history story of the camels in North America.
You are very welcome. I’ve always been fascinated by this.
Because the only camels I have seen in America are the cigarette brands.
I didn’t know….but great write! Thank you for sharing
I’d say that the majority of people didn’t know. Most people aren’t even aware that there was a camel corps in the cavalry.