Douglas the Confederate Camel Jefferson Davis (Secretary of War in 1853) was convinced that camels were the military super weapon of the future. In March of 1855, the U.S. Congress appropriated the Texas Camel Experiment $30,000. The project failed due to the camels temperaments, politics, and other animals being scared of them. Somehow during the Civil War, Douglas ended up with Company A of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry in the Confederate Army. They became "the Camel Regiment." Although the men were fond of Douglas, their horses weren't; the camel reportedly spooked one into starting a stampede that injured and maybe even killed 1 or 2 of them at the Battle of Iuka. Sadly, during the Siege of Vicksburg, "Old Douglas" was shot and killed by a Union sharpshooter after wandering off into enemy territory. The company's colonel, Col. Bevier, was so enraged at Douglas's murder that he ordered his 6 best snipers to fire on the solider who shot the camel--they were successful. However, that didn't stop Douglas's body from falling into Union hands; according to legend, they carved the camel up, ate him, and made souvenirs of his bones. It's not all bad news, though...Douglas was honored with his own grave marker at a Vicksburg cemetery. He served in the Iuka, Corinth, Central Mississippi Railroad, and Vicksburg Campaigns. read more

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