Ghost Camels of the American Frontier: The Unlikely Saga of the Camel Corps

Imagine camels trudging through the deserts of Texas and Arizona, carrying supplies for the U.S. Army. In one of the most fascinating and bizarre experiments in American military history, the U.S. government imported camels to tackle the rugged Southwest. This video dives deep into the story of the Camel Corps Experiment of the 1850s, backed by then-Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Despite proving their resilience, the camels faced resistance from soldiers, and the outbreak of the Civil War ultimately doomed the project.

One camel, Old Douglas, went on to serve with the Confederate 43rd Mississippi Infantry in the Civil War. His loyalty and tragic end at the Siege of Vicksburg left a lasting legacy. Today, the story of the Camel Corps and Old Douglas lives on in folklore, from tales of “ghost camels” roaming the West to a commemorative stone in Vicksburg honoring Douglas as a Civil War companion.

Join us on History Crossroads as we uncover the unusual legacy of camels in America, revealing a chapter of history that’s as strange as it is inspiring.

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