The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 61, July 1957 - April, 1958 Page: 45
591 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Operation Camel
We are uneasy, not to say a little frightened for our welfare. The
mules must go without water tonight, are broken down now, and
some are expected to be abandoned on the march tomorrow. We
have only sufficient water for the men for thirty hours. The Pecos,
Rio Grande, and Fort Stockton are too distant to reach and we may
be unable to reach water on the Comanche Trail, San Francisco
Creek, or Willow Spring. Our march today has been rough ... we
have sent a man to search for water ... a canteen of water was
issued to the men with enough to make a cup of coffee. This is the
fourth day since the camels drank, which was at the Pecos. ... The
camels display quite a thirst.82
They marched all the next day
... with much hope at heart but very little sign or prospect of
success of our only object in life today, that of reaching water. The
whole command is very uncomfortable with regard to its future
prospects. The animals of burden are almost ceased to be talked of,
and the topic has become one of self interest alone. Drought de-
presses the most buoyant spirit, and keeps the mind in full operation
and anxiety. Some of the men are very weak, and have several times
reported about to give up and no water to drink. All we can tell
them is, if they stop, they must risk the consequences, that not a
moment can be lost for anyone. We have some apprehensions for
the safety of the command, and tomorrow a dispersion must take
place in small parties to look for water according to individual
judgment, to seek one another, if successful; if not, never to meet
again but by chance. The men have a quart of water issued tonight,
and have enough for two drinks tomorrow, but they are so feeble
and thirsty that it would not last them an hour if they could get to it.
The mules have stood it admirably, much to the wonder of every-
body. All are in camp tonight, but cannot graze for their thirst.
The camels are continually bellowing, which, I suppose, as it is
unusual, is a sign of a want of water. .... A part of our quartermaster
and commissary stores were abandoned at camp this morning. The
mules were too feeble to be laden; and fearing it too much for our
camels, marched thirty miles, through good grass region, bleak and
dreary.@
On July 4, Echols entered in his journal:
Although the command was very weary last night, it did not rest
as well as I have seen it; the whole conversation was 'something to
drink.' We had to use our canteens for pillows to secure our water,
as none of the most thirsty show much reluctance in emptying any
one they may come across at a draught. This morning brought forth
82Ibid.
Balbid., 41.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 61, July 1957 - April, 1958, periodical, 1958; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101164/m1/65/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.