Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-02
THE CAMELS.

THE CAMELS.
The camels which were recently brought to
New Orleans from the East, excite much Gu
riosity. A correspondent of the New Orleans
Picayune, who was on board the transport
Fashion, in which they were brought on shore
from the ship Supply, gives the following ac-
count
Towards evening, the dreary mud banks of
the mouth came in view, the land all the time
sinking lower and lower. The camels were
on board the United States storeship Supply,
by the side of which we were soon fastened,
and ready to receive the animals 1t being
late we did not transfer any of them that day.
We went aboard the ship Supply, however,
impelled by curiosity to see the wonderful
beasts. They were lodged below, well shell
tered from the bad weather, and had three
Arabs and two Turks to attend TO their wants
The ship had brought them long voyage
from Smyrna, consequently the poor animals
had been confined in very narrow place for
over three months. They numbered thirty
five, including several young ones, one of
which was born on the voyage. in the vicinity
of the Trade Winds, in consequence of which
the jolly Jack tars called it s.Trade Wind.'
The others had various Arabic cognomens,
but it is intended to name them after the
States of the Union, which would be highly
appropriate.
The next day the camels were installed in
their new home, but not without some difficult
ty, for their natural timidity rendered them
difficult TO manage. The animals being all
safely on board, and everything in perfect Or
der, we babe adieu to the ship Supply, both
fired salute, and our ponderous wheels stri-
king the waters bore us out into the open sea-
in full speed for Matagorda Bay.
The weather, with very little exception, con-
tinued pleasant and the sea smooth, very
fortunate thing for the camels. They are n
very patient animal, scarcely ever uttering u
sound, but are extremely bclligerent among
themselves, it requiring all the watching and
care that can be bestowed on them to prevent
them from biting each other.
There were two or three that boasted two
humps, but the majority had only one. 1t is
supposed they will prove of infinite service on
the great praries of Texas, and each camel
will certainly be more valuable there than five
horses-the country, in some respects, resem-
bling the desert plains of the East, if VIC sub
stitute grass in the place of sand. They can
carry enormous weights, and can bear heavy
fatigueS and long continued journeys-thus
being of great service to our armies on the
frontiers. The only difficulty to be apprehen-
ded is from the climate in winter, for the cold
will weigh most vigorously on them. To this,
however, they may become gradually accus-
toned, and the animal being fully acclinateds
there will be no further trouble about that.
They will carry without stopping, except at
long intervals, immense weights of baggage
and stores, under hot, broilng sun, the fa-
tigue of which would soon kill horse. By
importing great many, the United States
will soon have a considerable breed of camels
on the Western Continent. 1t may be said to
Columbia's honor, that she has taken the lead
in introducing these powerful aids to civiliza-
tion among us, for the conquests of peace sur
pass those of war. We arrived at the bay of
Matagorda on Monday evening, May 10. The
next morning the animals were taken ashore,
and at last regained their liberty. The in
habitants crowded around them, with pardon
able curiosity, to behold the huge, uncouth
animals, and many were the sensible compar-
isons given vent to on the occasion. The Ar
abs and Turks, who had dressed themselves in
rich Oriental costume, were kept busy ex-
planning to the inquisitive crowd. Now and
then a camel, in the full excess of joy, would
run with terrible leaping and kicking among
the people, who would consequently give it
| full room tie gambol in. That evening, they
all started for their destination, in regular
Eastern order, as for distant caravan.