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The Last Camel Charge: The Untold Story of America's Desert Military Experiment
“A fascinating story, telling aspects of the American West that most of us know little about.” —True West Magazine
In the mid-nineteenth century, the U.S. Army was on the verge of employing a weapon that had never before been seen on its native a cavalry mount that would fare better than both mules and horses in the American Southwest...
Against the Mojave in the Arizona Territory, against the Mormons in Utah Territory, during the early stages of the Civil War, the camel would become part of military history and a nearly forgotten chapter of Americana.
This is the true story of that experiment and the extraordinary group of people who it brought together. The Last Camel Charge gives them their due as a vital piece of American history.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
In the mid-nineteenth century, the U.S. Army was on the verge of employing a weapon that had never before been seen on its native a cavalry mount that would fare better than both mules and horses in the American Southwest...
Against the Mojave in the Arizona Territory, against the Mormons in Utah Territory, during the early stages of the Civil War, the camel would become part of military history and a nearly forgotten chapter of Americana.
This is the true story of that experiment and the extraordinary group of people who it brought together. The Last Camel Charge gives them their due as a vital piece of American history.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
365 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2012
53 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Forrest Bryant Johnson
12 books13 followersForrest Bryant Johnson was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1935. He acquired the nick name “Frosty” while captain of the high school swim team and continued to use that name for many years. He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1957 with degrees in psychology and chemistry, working at the YMCA in the evenings and life guarding during summer months to pay his tuition. He had planned to go on to medical school but had neither the funds (no student loans in those days) nor the grades required by the only medical school in the state. While at the University he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the American Chemical Society and the Kentucky Archeological Society.
After graduation, Forrest was employed as an assistant chemists at a local industrial coatings manufacturer. In 1960 he entered the army as a private and received Basic Infantry Training at Fort Knox, Ky. In 1961 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and completed company grade officers training at Ft. Sam Houston, graduating with a grade of “Superior”. He went on to serve an additional eight years with the army completing his service with the rank of captain. Returning to civilian life and the coatings company, he was assigned the Iowa territory as a salesman and lived in Cedar Rapids. He was promoted to the Chicago territory and lived in Naperville, Ill. Soon he resigned to work with another company. His last position there was Sales Director. During those days in the Chicago area Johnson became interested in ancient Egyptian history and owned two Basenjis. He wrote his first book, Basenji Dog From The Past, published in 1972 by a small Chicago company. It was revised and re-released in 1992. Long out of print, the books are sought by collectors.
In 1970's the Chicago Tribune contracted with Johnson to lead an expedition into the swamps of Northern Minnesota to search for or prove or disprove the existence of an ape man reported to be roaming the wilderness there. The resulting Tribune article brought such an interesting response from the readers that Johnson wrote a fiction satire based on the subject, titled, The Strange Case Of Big Harry. Self published as, “Frosty Johnson” in 1972.
During the mid 1970s’ he wrote Hour of Redemption, World War11 non fiction, published by Manor Books in 1978 and republished in 2002 by Warner Books. In 1982 Johnson relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and wrote two fictions, Tektite and What Are You Doing Derby Day?. In 2008 his true World War 11 story, Phantom Warrior was published by Berkley and the same publisher released his Last Camel Charge in April, 2012.
Forrest Bryant Johnson has been married to former Japanese singing star, Chiaki Keiko (Chieko Takeuchi) for over twenty five years. Together they conduct desert scenic tours in and around the Las Vegas area. They also enjoy the friendship of three cats, “Brother”, “Dot com” and “BB”. Forrest has four adult children by previous marriage.
After graduation, Forrest was employed as an assistant chemists at a local industrial coatings manufacturer. In 1960 he entered the army as a private and received Basic Infantry Training at Fort Knox, Ky. In 1961 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and completed company grade officers training at Ft. Sam Houston, graduating with a grade of “Superior”. He went on to serve an additional eight years with the army completing his service with the rank of captain. Returning to civilian life and the coatings company, he was assigned the Iowa territory as a salesman and lived in Cedar Rapids. He was promoted to the Chicago territory and lived in Naperville, Ill. Soon he resigned to work with another company. His last position there was Sales Director. During those days in the Chicago area Johnson became interested in ancient Egyptian history and owned two Basenjis. He wrote his first book, Basenji Dog From The Past, published in 1972 by a small Chicago company. It was revised and re-released in 1992. Long out of print, the books are sought by collectors.
In 1970's the Chicago Tribune contracted with Johnson to lead an expedition into the swamps of Northern Minnesota to search for or prove or disprove the existence of an ape man reported to be roaming the wilderness there. The resulting Tribune article brought such an interesting response from the readers that Johnson wrote a fiction satire based on the subject, titled, The Strange Case Of Big Harry. Self published as, “Frosty Johnson” in 1972.
During the mid 1970s’ he wrote Hour of Redemption, World War11 non fiction, published by Manor Books in 1978 and republished in 2002 by Warner Books. In 1982 Johnson relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and wrote two fictions, Tektite and What Are You Doing Derby Day?. In 2008 his true World War 11 story, Phantom Warrior was published by Berkley and the same publisher released his Last Camel Charge in April, 2012.
Forrest Bryant Johnson has been married to former Japanese singing star, Chiaki Keiko (Chieko Takeuchi) for over twenty five years. Together they conduct desert scenic tours in and around the Las Vegas area. They also enjoy the friendship of three cats, “Brother”, “Dot com” and “BB”. Forrest has four adult children by previous marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 15, 2018
The Last Camel Charge: The Untold Story of America's Desert Military Experiment is a real treat, an interesting tale off the beaten track. Giving it 4 Stars for an informative and entertaining look at the Wild West. The book begins with the story of a death, one of many, at Vicksburg during the Civil War:
The book weaves many ongoing events in the 1850s. The Mormons feature throughout, as victims and as perpetrators of violence. I was generally aware of the anti-Mormon attitude but this was eye-opening to see it was “legal” to exterminate or banish Mormon in Missouri until 1976!
…for open defiance of the laws, the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the State . . . Filburn Boggs, Governor of Missouri, Extermination Order 44, October 27, 1838 (Rescinded 1976)
The Mormons are trying to set up a territory in Utah and surrounding areas where they could live in peace. The massacre of pioneers traveling west by Pah Utes and Mormons disguised as Indians along with events in the “Mormon War” bring context to the environment in which the camels will play a small part. Interestingly, the son of Sacagewea, Albert Sidney Johnston, Dick Garnett, Winfield Scott, Lew Armistead, David D Porter, Jefferson Davis and many other consequential names in history feature in the story to some extent.
Long before the current crop of politicians learned to use misdirection and shiny objects to distract the press and the people, it was a tool in the box of presidents:
Lt Edward Beale (Beale AFB named for him) features throughout as the man with the camels. Beale is tasked with finding (and later building) a route/trail along the 35th parallel to reach California. Beale makes many trips back and forth along this route and the camels are going to be tested as part of this effort. The camels and some camel drivers were found and brought to Texas under budget:
Overall the camels are a great success. They can travel fast, they will eat whatever grows in the desert, can travel for days without water and will find available water/springs faster than just about any scouting party. It was surprising that camels were not imported and herded considering how well they did.
The camel charge in the title is very exciting. The camels are carrying vital supplies to Beale’s road-building crew currently between Las Vegas and Albuquerque. Twenty men on camels face about 500 Mojave Indian warriors who intend to prevent the crossing of the Colorado River.
The author does tend to wander off topic and appeared to find any faintly related story to perhaps bulk up the core story. Still an interesting book, better than I expected
The book weaves many ongoing events in the 1850s. The Mormons feature throughout, as victims and as perpetrators of violence. I was generally aware of the anti-Mormon attitude but this was eye-opening to see it was “legal” to exterminate or banish Mormon in Missouri until 1976!
…for open defiance of the laws, the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the State . . . Filburn Boggs, Governor of Missouri, Extermination Order 44, October 27, 1838 (Rescinded 1976)
The Mormons are trying to set up a territory in Utah and surrounding areas where they could live in peace. The massacre of pioneers traveling west by Pah Utes and Mormons disguised as Indians along with events in the “Mormon War” bring context to the environment in which the camels will play a small part. Interestingly, the son of Sacagewea, Albert Sidney Johnston, Dick Garnett, Winfield Scott, Lew Armistead, David D Porter, Jefferson Davis and many other consequential names in history feature in the story to some extent.
Long before the current crop of politicians learned to use misdirection and shiny objects to distract the press and the people, it was a tool in the box of presidents:
Lt Edward Beale (Beale AFB named for him) features throughout as the man with the camels. Beale is tasked with finding (and later building) a route/trail along the 35th parallel to reach California. Beale makes many trips back and forth along this route and the camels are going to be tested as part of this effort. The camels and some camel drivers were found and brought to Texas under budget:
Overall the camels are a great success. They can travel fast, they will eat whatever grows in the desert, can travel for days without water and will find available water/springs faster than just about any scouting party. It was surprising that camels were not imported and herded considering how well they did.
The camel charge in the title is very exciting. The camels are carrying vital supplies to Beale’s road-building crew currently between Las Vegas and Albuquerque. Twenty men on camels face about 500 Mojave Indian warriors who intend to prevent the crossing of the Colorado River.
The author does tend to wander off topic and appeared to find any faintly related story to perhaps bulk up the core story. Still an interesting book, better than I expected
February 26, 2025
My sweet spot of book is a deep dive into some moment of obscure American history from the mid 19th century through early 20th. The Last Camel Charge hit the bullseye perfectly. Equal parts grand adventure, historical account and absurd story, Johnson weaves a tale that is both enjoyable and fascinating.
There are moments in history where on occurrence or event radically changes what proceeds from said moment. If the Civil War doesn't kick off in 1860, drawing much of the army's attention from the western territories, I believe we would have a breeding population of wild/feral camels roaming the modern day American Southwest. Sadly, what would've been is instead a footnote in military experimentation.
There are moments in history where on occurrence or event radically changes what proceeds from said moment. If the Civil War doesn't kick off in 1860, drawing much of the army's attention from the western territories, I believe we would have a breeding population of wild/feral camels roaming the modern day American Southwest. Sadly, what would've been is instead a footnote in military experimentation.
June 11, 2020
Very interesting read and there is a photo in the book of wild camels taken by a railway man in 2003! It starts with the story of the camels as an Army experiment, buying them from the Middle East and hiring several camel drivers to deal with the camels. The captain of the ship came up with a design installed on the ship to keep them comfortable and safe. Only 1 camel was lost. The army commissioned Edward Beale to test out the camels as he was making a road along the 35th parallel from East to West. The behavior of the camels was noted and compared to that of mules and horses. Several of the men in each group who worked with them became quite fond of the camels and they were much praised for their docility, willingness to work and calm demeanor. They were fairly unflappable and would eat just about anything that grew in the desert. In fact, they really liked the cactus fences that people grew in the desert. When the Civil War began it put an end to the camel experiments and the camels were sold off as the Army had no time to deal with them. In fact, General Sterling Price bought one that was rather a pet that accompanied him.
A fun read and extensively researched. One thing - I did get a little tired of all the massacres in the book and had to take a break part way. There were several things that I think were given too much attention, but most of those slip from memory to the main stories of the amazing camels.
A fun read and extensively researched. One thing - I did get a little tired of all the massacres in the book and had to take a break part way. There were several things that I think were given too much attention, but most of those slip from memory to the main stories of the amazing camels.
December 19, 2019
The United States used to own camels. They imported them from the middle east with the intent of using them in the arid climates of the American Southwest. This book chronicles the brief existence of the United States Camel Corps.
The use of camels in the US is a pretty odd story. Odder still that the camels released at the conclusion of the experiment seem to have survived and, perhaps, thrived with documented sightings of wild camels up to 2003. The figures who had a hand in the Corps' existence are all pretty wild legends themselves.
However, this book seems to want to be a 'saga of the west' book featuring tons of gunwank and shoot outs and nods toward figures who don't really factor into the Camel Corps at all but are famous western figures and so their inclusion might keep a casual reader's interest better. So, that really kind of hampers it for me. The book needed to sell and so there was a lot of pop-history inserted into it. If the narrative had just been confined to the Camel Corps itself it likely would have been half its length. The book also could have used pictures. Perhaps the print version has images? I read the kindle edition. But reproducing the 2003 photograph would have been a nice touch.
The use of camels in the US is a pretty odd story. Odder still that the camels released at the conclusion of the experiment seem to have survived and, perhaps, thrived with documented sightings of wild camels up to 2003. The figures who had a hand in the Corps' existence are all pretty wild legends themselves.
However, this book seems to want to be a 'saga of the west' book featuring tons of gunwank and shoot outs and nods toward figures who don't really factor into the Camel Corps at all but are famous western figures and so their inclusion might keep a casual reader's interest better. So, that really kind of hampers it for me. The book needed to sell and so there was a lot of pop-history inserted into it. If the narrative had just been confined to the Camel Corps itself it likely would have been half its length. The book also could have used pictures. Perhaps the print version has images? I read the kindle edition. But reproducing the 2003 photograph would have been a nice touch.
June 23, 2017
This is, at the moment, my favorite book for 2017. I've read a lot about the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail, but didn't know much about trailblazing in the Southwest. Reads like a historical novel but is non-fiction. Now I want a camel. They only spit when irritated or mistreated. Loved this book.
March 23, 2022
Very detailed and thorough, but could have more of a storytelling plot. Kind of a day by day detail heavy account but lacks a nice narrative story to keep you intrigued. But I’m very grateful the author wrote this tale of an otherwise forgotten chapter and I wish more had come of the camel corps!
February 1, 2023
A lot of interesting history about Americans coming west in wagon trains and how they and the Indians and the military inter acted
April 21, 2017
Most Americans are familiar with the cry, "the Birtish are coming, the British are coming." In Texas there was a similar cry under very different circumstances, "the camels are coming! The camels are coming!"
Being a native Texan and avid history reader, over the years I've read allusion to camels as part of the state's history. I've even read of sighting in modern times. There were things I knew and there were things I THOUGHT I knew. In his latest work, Johnson clears it all up for me as he lays out the facts of the Army's Camel Corps experiment.
At the conclusion of the Capture of California during the Mexican-American War, as Ed Beale and Kit Carson make their way towards to D.C. to deliver reports on the victory to Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, the two ponder the idea of using camels in the deserts of the southwest. Jefferson Davis becomes a strong proponenet of the concept. After being initially denied funds to procure camels, Congress eventually appropriates $30,000 for an initial test of the idea after rumors of a Mormon uprising reach D.C. On the first shipment thrity-three camels along with eight native "Arabs" ship from Smyrna to Indianoloa, TX. Upon arrival, “Some (Arabs) took one look at Texas and elected to go home.” (. But two, "Hi Jolly" and "Greek George", would remain, serve their adopted home with distinction, and become American legends. A camp site was constructed at modern-day Kerrville, Texas for the development of the experiement. “The first test of the camel’s capabilities came when six of them were sent with packs from Camp Verde sixty miles to San Antonio. It became a race between the camels and three wagons, each pulled by six mules. The mission was to return with oats and other supplies. The camels went directly through the hill country, where the wagons could not pass, picked up 608 pounds each, and returned to camp in fifty-four hours. The three mule wagon did succeed in carrying 1,834 pounds each in ninety six hours but required frequent stops to rest and drink water” (pg 110). Camels would go on to serve on road construction crews, surveying projects in California, in campaigns against Native Americans, and at least one would find its way into a Confederacy regiment during the Civil War.
As a writer, Johnson proves to be a master storyteller with a brilliant sense of timing. He seems to employ a technique that introduces a theme, builds a story and then revisits the introdcution. Although it didn't bother me, I could understand how it might frustrate some readers. Therefore, I will caution anyone starting this read if you feel like Johnson is jumping around, be patient. The stories do tie together and the groundwork is imprortant for the context of the overall story. What I thought Johnson was superb at was capturing the spirit of the time. This was the pique of the destruction of many Native American tribes. The Mojave tribe, of which I was completely ignorant of, was the tribe of focus here. “He (Beale) also puzzled over another thought: what changed a happy race of people (Mojave) in the river valley into murderers?” (pg 271). Johson meticulously showed how that evolved. I was particularly interested in how, according to Johnson, the Mormons manipulated the natives for their own agenda (Mountain Meadows Massacre). But, it was also a time when Americans were creative and willing to sacrifice for the sheer sense of adventure. In response to the first sighting of a steamship on the river, Beale observed, “I felt jealous of Johnson’s achievement and it is to be hoped the government will substantially reward the enterprising spirit which prompted a citizen, at his own risk and a great hazard, to undertake so perilous and uncertain an expedition."
As a Texan, I couldn't help but appreciate the focus on a couple of historical figures important to this state's history: Chalie Goodnight and James Bowie.
I have one tiny criticism: Johson makes repeatedly makes the claim that Buchanan used the Mormon issue to deflect attention from slavery. This may very well be true and is a tactic used over and over by elected officials. It is used widely today. However, it is widely documented, and Johnson even admits it once, that Buchanan campaigned on dealing with both slavery and the "Mormon Problem". If he is going to take the stance that Buchanan's focus on the Mormon chuch was a red herring rather than following up on a campaign promise, I think he had a responsibility to cite some sources. This is so tiny and not the main focus of the work that it didn't cause me much angst.
Finally, I found the story of "Old Douglas" and the death of Hi Jolly particularly poignant
Being a native Texan and avid history reader, over the years I've read allusion to camels as part of the state's history. I've even read of sighting in modern times. There were things I knew and there were things I THOUGHT I knew. In his latest work, Johnson clears it all up for me as he lays out the facts of the Army's Camel Corps experiment.
At the conclusion of the Capture of California during the Mexican-American War, as Ed Beale and Kit Carson make their way towards to D.C. to deliver reports on the victory to Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, the two ponder the idea of using camels in the deserts of the southwest. Jefferson Davis becomes a strong proponenet of the concept. After being initially denied funds to procure camels, Congress eventually appropriates $30,000 for an initial test of the idea after rumors of a Mormon uprising reach D.C. On the first shipment thrity-three camels along with eight native "Arabs" ship from Smyrna to Indianoloa, TX. Upon arrival, “Some (Arabs) took one look at Texas and elected to go home.” (. But two, "Hi Jolly" and "Greek George", would remain, serve their adopted home with distinction, and become American legends. A camp site was constructed at modern-day Kerrville, Texas for the development of the experiement. “The first test of the camel’s capabilities came when six of them were sent with packs from Camp Verde sixty miles to San Antonio. It became a race between the camels and three wagons, each pulled by six mules. The mission was to return with oats and other supplies. The camels went directly through the hill country, where the wagons could not pass, picked up 608 pounds each, and returned to camp in fifty-four hours. The three mule wagon did succeed in carrying 1,834 pounds each in ninety six hours but required frequent stops to rest and drink water” (pg 110). Camels would go on to serve on road construction crews, surveying projects in California, in campaigns against Native Americans, and at least one would find its way into a Confederacy regiment during the Civil War.
As a writer, Johnson proves to be a master storyteller with a brilliant sense of timing. He seems to employ a technique that introduces a theme, builds a story and then revisits the introdcution. Although it didn't bother me, I could understand how it might frustrate some readers. Therefore, I will caution anyone starting this read if you feel like Johnson is jumping around, be patient. The stories do tie together and the groundwork is imprortant for the context of the overall story. What I thought Johnson was superb at was capturing the spirit of the time. This was the pique of the destruction of many Native American tribes. The Mojave tribe, of which I was completely ignorant of, was the tribe of focus here. “He (Beale) also puzzled over another thought: what changed a happy race of people (Mojave) in the river valley into murderers?” (pg 271). Johson meticulously showed how that evolved. I was particularly interested in how, according to Johnson, the Mormons manipulated the natives for their own agenda (Mountain Meadows Massacre). But, it was also a time when Americans were creative and willing to sacrifice for the sheer sense of adventure. In response to the first sighting of a steamship on the river, Beale observed, “I felt jealous of Johnson’s achievement and it is to be hoped the government will substantially reward the enterprising spirit which prompted a citizen, at his own risk and a great hazard, to undertake so perilous and uncertain an expedition."
As a Texan, I couldn't help but appreciate the focus on a couple of historical figures important to this state's history: Chalie Goodnight and James Bowie.
I have one tiny criticism: Johson makes repeatedly makes the claim that Buchanan used the Mormon issue to deflect attention from slavery. This may very well be true and is a tactic used over and over by elected officials. It is used widely today. However, it is widely documented, and Johnson even admits it once, that Buchanan campaigned on dealing with both slavery and the "Mormon Problem". If he is going to take the stance that Buchanan's focus on the Mormon chuch was a red herring rather than following up on a campaign promise, I think he had a responsibility to cite some sources. This is so tiny and not the main focus of the work that it didn't cause me much angst.
Finally, I found the story of "Old Douglas" and the death of Hi Jolly particularly poignant
June 24, 2020
I like history, especially about the West and areas I am familiar with to some extent. The Last Camel Charge by Forrest Bryant Johnson suits the bill. It is history about portions of California and eastward in the desert country. The camels along with Edwin Beale and Samuel Bishop are the main characters. It is the chronicle of an experiment by the US Army to try something better than horses and mules in the Southwest desert areas.
The Mormon conflict and the War Between the States drew attention away from the original experiment, and unfortunately some of those promoting the experiment sided with the Confederacy in the war, so interest by the army waned quite a bit regarding the camels. Ed Beale and Sam Bishop helped keep interest alive to some extent. They also used the camels for a time on their ranch in California. Both fellows operated in a private capacity most of the time. Beale was somewhat of a hero prior to the war, and he was tapped to get the camels purchased and brought to the US and then to lead some expeditions with the camels.
The book is heavily documented and tells a relatively obscure story. I found it most enjoyable to read. It contains some pictures and notes at the back of the book which added interest for me. It was nice to be able to see photos and portraits of some of the folks in the book. There are lots of bit players mentioned; that is the result of the army moving people around on various assignments. A section of the book is devoted to mentioning what happened to most of them. A large number who stood with the Confederacy were killed in the war.
One chapter was devoted to the weapons of the day. I found that to be most interesting, and being a word guy, I liked the explanation of the origin of the word sharpshooter. The charge mentioned in the title was not done by the army. It was led by Sam Bishop in an attempt to break through the Mojave Indians and cross the Colorado River. Twenty camels and twenty riders faced a few hundred Indians. The novelty and surprise of the camels made the attempt successful, and Bishop and his boys, most of whom were in their early twenties or late teens, were able to charge through the Indians and cross the river and deliver the camels to Beale and his road crew some days eastward.
I liked the book. It was an easy, entertaining and informative book to read. I recommend it. And what about the camels? What happened to them? The army sold them off, and some just disappeared into the wilderness. The book has a picture taken in 2003 of some wild camels in Texas, so the offspring are still roaming the badlands. Obviously the camel is and was well suited for the Southwest even if the army never really adopted them.
The Mormon conflict and the War Between the States drew attention away from the original experiment, and unfortunately some of those promoting the experiment sided with the Confederacy in the war, so interest by the army waned quite a bit regarding the camels. Ed Beale and Sam Bishop helped keep interest alive to some extent. They also used the camels for a time on their ranch in California. Both fellows operated in a private capacity most of the time. Beale was somewhat of a hero prior to the war, and he was tapped to get the camels purchased and brought to the US and then to lead some expeditions with the camels.
The book is heavily documented and tells a relatively obscure story. I found it most enjoyable to read. It contains some pictures and notes at the back of the book which added interest for me. It was nice to be able to see photos and portraits of some of the folks in the book. There are lots of bit players mentioned; that is the result of the army moving people around on various assignments. A section of the book is devoted to mentioning what happened to most of them. A large number who stood with the Confederacy were killed in the war.
One chapter was devoted to the weapons of the day. I found that to be most interesting, and being a word guy, I liked the explanation of the origin of the word sharpshooter. The charge mentioned in the title was not done by the army. It was led by Sam Bishop in an attempt to break through the Mojave Indians and cross the Colorado River. Twenty camels and twenty riders faced a few hundred Indians. The novelty and surprise of the camels made the attempt successful, and Bishop and his boys, most of whom were in their early twenties or late teens, were able to charge through the Indians and cross the river and deliver the camels to Beale and his road crew some days eastward.
I liked the book. It was an easy, entertaining and informative book to read. I recommend it. And what about the camels? What happened to them? The army sold them off, and some just disappeared into the wilderness. The book has a picture taken in 2003 of some wild camels in Texas, so the offspring are still roaming the badlands. Obviously the camel is and was well suited for the Southwest even if the army never really adopted them.
dnf
March 11, 2024DNF.
This book is actually about the Mormons, Native Americans, and a jumble of other topics in the West leading up to the Civil War. I skimmed the rest and couldn't find any real connection between the Mormons and the camels except them being aware of them being used. It is weird because after so many chapters and mentions they disappear and is replaced by the Native Americans mentioned throughout attacking and killing immigrants heading West to California. Besides these two topics the focus is on creating a road and we finally hear about camels. The first 10 chapters aren't about camels and there are many chapters in which the camels are barely mentioned or none at all. It is obvious they're used to sell this book because few would read a book on Mormons in the west and attempt at a Mormon War.
There are so many other topics included so the author tends to jump between them and a few times became confusing. One paragraph would be on Mormons the next on camels then the next on bleeding Kansas. It didn't help when the author wrote some sentence so in a confusing way either. Then you have bad spelling and the author repeating things was another issue as well.
If the focus had just been on the topic that it was supposed to have been then I would have finished it.
This book is actually about the Mormons, Native Americans, and a jumble of other topics in the West leading up to the Civil War. I skimmed the rest and couldn't find any real connection between the Mormons and the camels except them being aware of them being used. It is weird because after so many chapters and mentions they disappear and is replaced by the Native Americans mentioned throughout attacking and killing immigrants heading West to California. Besides these two topics the focus is on creating a road and we finally hear about camels. The first 10 chapters aren't about camels and there are many chapters in which the camels are barely mentioned or none at all. It is obvious they're used to sell this book because few would read a book on Mormons in the west and attempt at a Mormon War.
There are so many other topics included so the author tends to jump between them and a few times became confusing. One paragraph would be on Mormons the next on camels then the next on bleeding Kansas. It didn't help when the author wrote some sentence so in a confusing way either. Then you have bad spelling and the author repeating things was another issue as well.
If the focus had just been on the topic that it was supposed to have been then I would have finished it.
February 22, 2017
Well maybe 3 1/2 and worth a read if you like history. I will look up other books by this author to see if any of his other topics interest me. This is a fascinating story that I bet few people know - yes the US Army used camels circa 1850. "Wild" camels, maybe left over from these recruits, were last spotted in Texas in 2003... I really liked anything about the camels. I also liked learning facts about places & peoples I have visited or read about or recognize like Las Vegas (once an oasis!), the Mojave Desert, the Mormons, etc. ANd I was totally tickled to find a connection between the camel project and Key West since I live in the Keys; never expected a link. Naval Lt. David Dixon Porter, who was instrumental in transporting the camels from the Mediterranean to Texas, was the son of Commodore David Porter who headed the West Indies anti-piracy squadron in Key West 1823-1825.
In other ways the book was so detailed that I had trouble keeping track of all the people and events, so this was what I liked least.
In other ways the book was so detailed that I had trouble keeping track of all the people and events, so this was what I liked least.
September 8, 2021
I loved this book. Well researched and entertaining to read. The story of the US Army's experiment of using camels in the southwest in the 1850's. As the story unfolded, I kept asking why the camels weren't used more after proving to be better pack animals than mules or horses. They also proved adept at finding water in unmapped areas. The camel charge mentioned in the title was the only one where they were used that way in the United States and it was done by 20 civilians. Tracing the events that were written about with the camels to the present day and how the lead characters influenced such things as the placement of Route 66 and the naming of Bishop, CA were relevant to me today. (Disclosure: I live in Albuquerque and found the unflattering descriptions from the 1850's interesting.)
July 16, 2024
Fascinating history of the the southwest during the mid 1800's which included the well known and documented opening of the southwest with the Gold Rush, Indian wars, Mormons, Civil War, and the establishment of western forts and 'roads'. It almost reads like Lewis & Clark as they opened areas to the north in the early 1800's. The twist in this history is now we know, understand and LOVE camels! My respect for these undervalued gentle animals is enormous and I'm not sure any other book would capture the contributions of these gentle, hard working animals as well as this one. It's a must read from my perspective.
October 7, 2021
This is an extraordinary book about a little-known chapter of American military history. To combat the challenges of the great deserts of the South West, the military decided to employ camels for their purposes of subduing the Native Americans, the Mormons and each other. This gave rise to a rather grotesquely weird and wonderful cast of ill-assorted characters and the story rolls its humps thereafter. There are still wild camels out there, by the way.
May 30, 2020
More Than You'd Think
An incredibly well written history of the attempts made to introduce the camel into the United States, as a military transport animal and commercial carrier. Contains asides on the "Mormon War," the " Mojave War(s) , " and the Civil War (with which the camel interacted).
An incredibly well written history of the attempts made to introduce the camel into the United States, as a military transport animal and commercial carrier. Contains asides on the "Mormon War," the " Mojave War(s) , " and the Civil War (with which the camel interacted).
December 15, 2018
Do you know about the camels the U.S. Army used in the 1850s? If you didn't, Johnson will tell you. And man, will he tell you. This book is not so much about the camels as their place in exploring the American Southwest. The author describes so much context regarding the Mojave, the Mormons, the U.S. Army, and Westward Expansion that the first camel chapter (after a brief beginning tease) doesn't appear until around 80 pages in.
Definitely a treat for those who like history, especially military history and 19th-century American history. I just really like camels, but I still really liked this book.
Definitely a treat for those who like history, especially military history and 19th-century American history. I just really like camels, but I still really liked this book.
June 11, 2020
Wonderful historical read
A long history of the camels arrival and use in the Western United States. The camel's story is also the story of the development of the West. A great read.
A long history of the camels arrival and use in the Western United States. The camel's story is also the story of the development of the West. A great read.
August 17, 2021
On one hand, this is an exceptional book about a transformative and fascinating part of American history.
On the other, it is difficult to read yet another detailing of Native Americans getting shafted and shot by the colonial Manifest Destiny, and call it entertainment.
On the other, it is difficult to read yet another detailing of Native Americans getting shafted and shot by the colonial Manifest Destiny, and call it entertainment.
May 4, 2025
This book was far more interesting than I expected. covers the forgotten history of trying to start a camel cavalry in the American West, including some key battles with Native Americans and Mormons.
July 4, 2025
This is ostensibly about the U.S. military trying to use camels in the Southwest after the Mexican-American War, before the Civil War. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding that the "Great American Desert" wasn't actually like the deserts of the Middle East. Although camels did make great beasts of burden, there were other drawbacks to using them in place of mules and horses. Ultimately, the railroads that came West after the Civil War made their use unnecessary.
But this book wraps all sorts of side stories into the tale, such as Indian conflicts. The biggest side story is the dispute between Mormons of Utah and the U.S. government, ending up in the Mormon Wars of 1857-58. The author contends that the attacks on Mormons were an attempt to distract from the brewing conflict over slavery - but he doesn't really back that up.
Because of these side stories, the camels don't actually come into the story until Chapter 11, which seems odd for a book about the camels.
I did some digging around online and found a really good article that told me more without all the distractions. And none of it referenced war with Indians or Mormons.
I hate to say it, but to me, this book (aside from the surprising prologue) was boring.
But this book wraps all sorts of side stories into the tale, such as Indian conflicts. The biggest side story is the dispute between Mormons of Utah and the U.S. government, ending up in the Mormon Wars of 1857-58. The author contends that the attacks on Mormons were an attempt to distract from the brewing conflict over slavery - but he doesn't really back that up.
Because of these side stories, the camels don't actually come into the story until Chapter 11, which seems odd for a book about the camels.
I did some digging around online and found a really good article that told me more without all the distractions. And none of it referenced war with Indians or Mormons.
I hate to say it, but to me, this book (aside from the surprising prologue) was boring.
June 19, 2012
The Last Camel Charge
The Untold Story of America’s Desert Military Experiment
By Forrest Bryant Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-425-24569-9, Hardcover, Pages 384, $25.95, Publication Date: April 3, 2012, History, Published by Berkley Caliber a member of Penguin Group
Memorial Day is a fitting time to remember the heroes of the old West. Navy Lieutenant Edward Beale is one of those pioneers who were instrumental in the development of trails, which led to roads, and placement of today’s cities. Kingman Arizona is located where it is and Fort Mohave is where Beale Crossing is located.
What does this have to do with “The Last Camel Charge”? In the 1850’s there was misplaced fear about Utah and the Mormon community in Washington, D.C... Fear that the Mormons were going to take over the entire West and run it their way to the exclusion of other emigrants who were attempting to move west during and after the discovery of gold in California. In this era, Indians could see their lands being taken over so they harassed the settlers. The Mojave Indians lived on the banks of the Colorado River and though they were peaceful, finally rose up as they had no place to move.
Lt. Ed Beale had the task of finding a better means of transportation in the desert and through years of discussions, Congress and the President of the United States gave $30,000 for experimental importation and evaluation of camels! Use of camels was a secret weapon for the military and because Beale had experience with them, he was the chosen one in this noble experiment.
Beale was not the only person involved at this time and the book is so thoroughly researched that most of the heroes both pre-civil war and civil war are chronicled. This book is a remembrance to those who willingly gave their lives so that new émigrés could settle the western territories. Many monuments are scattered throughout modern cities and pay homage to the men who served. However, in some of these monuments are the remains of camels!
Camels were extinct in North America for thousands of years and only survived in the Mideast. Lt. Beale on a specially outfitted ship brought about 70 camels to Texas and then on to New Mexico, Arizona, and California. In Texas, the camel’s home was a specially built set of buildings at Camp Verde.
Many astonishing surprises came about during these experimental years. Although water was not a problem for these desert animals, they could go for days without water. The dietary habits were something not expected! Camels loved cactus, mesquite trees, and other roughage, which horses and mules could not stomach. Camels have four stomachs and razor sharp teeth. During one of the Indian encounters with odds against Beale’s troops of ten to one, the camels saved the day! They could swim! In addition, they could gallop at 40 miles per hour up to 75 miles distance, something that horses could not do. Lt. Beale led a charge through the Indian forces with 20 camels, did not lose a man or camel, and crossed the Colorado River to safety!
Photographs depicted in the book show that in 2003, camels were still roaming at large in Texas and Bullet Bob Smith a railroad historian spotted a herd. A photograph shows them. Many other historical pictures feature camels and key figures involved in the bringing of camels to the West.
Historically, Forrest Bryant Johnson has done a great service for those who want to know more about the Mohave Desert. He has brought to life a history of the past by using the camel to tell the story. Conflicts with Indians, Mormons, and civil war battles are mere sideshows when it comes to the main feature of the camel!
Of particular interest to Kingman residents is the naming Beale Street and Stockton Hill Road, as these people were very instrumental in establishing the trail to California known as the Mother Road (Route 66). Lt. Beale also named his second son, Truxtun! This is a four star book which centers on the historic town of Kingman, Arizona!
The Untold Story of America’s Desert Military Experiment
By Forrest Bryant Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-425-24569-9, Hardcover, Pages 384, $25.95, Publication Date: April 3, 2012, History, Published by Berkley Caliber a member of Penguin Group
Memorial Day is a fitting time to remember the heroes of the old West. Navy Lieutenant Edward Beale is one of those pioneers who were instrumental in the development of trails, which led to roads, and placement of today’s cities. Kingman Arizona is located where it is and Fort Mohave is where Beale Crossing is located.
What does this have to do with “The Last Camel Charge”? In the 1850’s there was misplaced fear about Utah and the Mormon community in Washington, D.C... Fear that the Mormons were going to take over the entire West and run it their way to the exclusion of other emigrants who were attempting to move west during and after the discovery of gold in California. In this era, Indians could see their lands being taken over so they harassed the settlers. The Mojave Indians lived on the banks of the Colorado River and though they were peaceful, finally rose up as they had no place to move.
Lt. Ed Beale had the task of finding a better means of transportation in the desert and through years of discussions, Congress and the President of the United States gave $30,000 for experimental importation and evaluation of camels! Use of camels was a secret weapon for the military and because Beale had experience with them, he was the chosen one in this noble experiment.
Beale was not the only person involved at this time and the book is so thoroughly researched that most of the heroes both pre-civil war and civil war are chronicled. This book is a remembrance to those who willingly gave their lives so that new émigrés could settle the western territories. Many monuments are scattered throughout modern cities and pay homage to the men who served. However, in some of these monuments are the remains of camels!
Camels were extinct in North America for thousands of years and only survived in the Mideast. Lt. Beale on a specially outfitted ship brought about 70 camels to Texas and then on to New Mexico, Arizona, and California. In Texas, the camel’s home was a specially built set of buildings at Camp Verde.
Many astonishing surprises came about during these experimental years. Although water was not a problem for these desert animals, they could go for days without water. The dietary habits were something not expected! Camels loved cactus, mesquite trees, and other roughage, which horses and mules could not stomach. Camels have four stomachs and razor sharp teeth. During one of the Indian encounters with odds against Beale’s troops of ten to one, the camels saved the day! They could swim! In addition, they could gallop at 40 miles per hour up to 75 miles distance, something that horses could not do. Lt. Beale led a charge through the Indian forces with 20 camels, did not lose a man or camel, and crossed the Colorado River to safety!
Photographs depicted in the book show that in 2003, camels were still roaming at large in Texas and Bullet Bob Smith a railroad historian spotted a herd. A photograph shows them. Many other historical pictures feature camels and key figures involved in the bringing of camels to the West.
Historically, Forrest Bryant Johnson has done a great service for those who want to know more about the Mohave Desert. He has brought to life a history of the past by using the camel to tell the story. Conflicts with Indians, Mormons, and civil war battles are mere sideshows when it comes to the main feature of the camel!
Of particular interest to Kingman residents is the naming Beale Street and Stockton Hill Road, as these people were very instrumental in establishing the trail to California known as the Mother Road (Route 66). Lt. Beale also named his second son, Truxtun! This is a four star book which centers on the historic town of Kingman, Arizona!
May 30, 2016
A gem of Wild West Americana!
As an adolescent America spilled west toward California and the Pacific, it was the western deserts that posed the most serious barrier to expansion. Tortuous heat, paucity of food and water, and hostile peoples pressured the U.S. Government of the mid-nineteenth century to not only map safe routes for travelers and settlers, but to provide military protection through the sparsely populated barrens. More easily said than done of course; horses, mules, and even oxen – the most common modes of transportation – fared poorly in the desert wastes as the whitened bones of many of these beasts, left bleaching in the rock and sand, attested.
So why not use camels?, mused American military planners. If the mighty animals could trot across the arid dune seas of Arabia with ease, why not the deserts of the American southwest?
Thus begins the U.S. military’s nearly forgotten flirtation of with a camel-mounted cavalry – a tale rather rippingly told by author Forrest Bryant Johnson. Beginning with the importation of the camels to Texas, Johnson traces their use in explorations across the southwest and then on into the novel’s titular battle against the Mojave Native Americans. And while the camels remain a rather nice through line for the narrative, Johnson offers a refreshingly broad look at the events and issues that shaped pre-Civil War western settlement. The book also offers a nice little biography of explorer Edward Fitzgerald Beale and a few other western notables – but its Johnson’s recounting of the Mountain Meadows and Rose Wagon Train massacres that really make the pulse pound. This book may be about camels, but there’s some pretty high drama in there too and a rather sophisticated portrayal of the great forces that shaped the political and military landscape of the period.
Admittedly, it did take me a few chapters to settle into this book, but once I started turning the pages, I was completely immersed in this obscure corner of the Old West. Interesting, insightful, dramatic, and filled with larger than life historical personalities, The Last Camel Charge will make you feel the hot, desert sun on your back and put sandy grit in your teeth.
P.S. Would recommend this book as a great companion read to Edward Dolnick’s Down the Great Unknown, which covered John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Grand Canyon. Tensions with the Mormon settlers in Utah play a pretty big role in the culmination of that story and Johnson lays the groundwork for those issues in The Last Camel Charge with a white-knuckle recounting of the infamous Mountain Meadows massacre and subsequent deployment of U.S. troops to Utah.
January 13, 2016
Thoughts while reading:
I cannot quite decide what kind of mistake the author made on page 81. He states, "
Camels were domesticated more than a thousand years ago and served men as companions and work animals before the writings of the Bible or Quran." This statement just does not add up, historically speaking. The oldest book of the Bible is the Book of Job and believed to have been written around 1500 B.C. The Quran was written around 673 A.D. If camels were domesticated merely 1000 years ago [as the author states], that would still have put their domestication after both holy books were written. It would have been more accurate if he had merely stated that camels were domesticated well before the earliest books of the Bible, blah, blah, blah. Maybe he meant to say 'thousands of years ago' instead of 'a thousand years ago' - this would have made more sense and been more accurate. It is just that this book is presented as a historical record and the information inside as correct/factual, so it is a bit of a mistake that can call the rest of the work into question.
I'm still enjoying it so far, though.
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It turned out better than I thought it might. But I wasn't sure what to expect, so I am not sure how high my expectations were for it. It had an interesting flow to it. It bounced around a lot; every couple of chapters seemed to back up in terms of the time frame before the narrative started moving forward again. Despite the 'choppiness' I still enjoyed the book. It held my interest throughout the entire work.
I read this book primarily due to a movie from the 1970s called 'Hawmps' that I used to love watching in the 1980s at my church; they showed it to the youth group on a regular basis. Eventually I did some 'mild research' in some books about the Old West that my grandparents had and discovered there was some truth to the movie [in general; about the camel experiment]. Granted, it was mentioned in a brief paragraph in a thick book, but there you go. So it was fun to read a more indepth focus on the US Army's camel experiment back in the 1850s.
I could see myself reading this book again at some point in the future.
I cannot quite decide what kind of mistake the author made on page 81. He states, "
Camels were domesticated more than a thousand years ago and served men as companions and work animals before the writings of the Bible or Quran." This statement just does not add up, historically speaking. The oldest book of the Bible is the Book of Job and believed to have been written around 1500 B.C. The Quran was written around 673 A.D. If camels were domesticated merely 1000 years ago [as the author states], that would still have put their domestication after both holy books were written. It would have been more accurate if he had merely stated that camels were domesticated well before the earliest books of the Bible, blah, blah, blah. Maybe he meant to say 'thousands of years ago' instead of 'a thousand years ago' - this would have made more sense and been more accurate. It is just that this book is presented as a historical record and the information inside as correct/factual, so it is a bit of a mistake that can call the rest of the work into question.
I'm still enjoying it so far, though.
----------------------------------
It turned out better than I thought it might. But I wasn't sure what to expect, so I am not sure how high my expectations were for it. It had an interesting flow to it. It bounced around a lot; every couple of chapters seemed to back up in terms of the time frame before the narrative started moving forward again. Despite the 'choppiness' I still enjoyed the book. It held my interest throughout the entire work.
I read this book primarily due to a movie from the 1970s called 'Hawmps' that I used to love watching in the 1980s at my church; they showed it to the youth group on a regular basis. Eventually I did some 'mild research' in some books about the Old West that my grandparents had and discovered there was some truth to the movie [in general; about the camel experiment]. Granted, it was mentioned in a brief paragraph in a thick book, but there you go. So it was fun to read a more indepth focus on the US Army's camel experiment back in the 1850s.
I could see myself reading this book again at some point in the future.
February 16, 2013
One of the best history books I've ever read. So much so that it's the reason I'm heading out to Arizona this spring. This book details a lost chapter in American history, the Camel Corps. If you like mainstream history books that transport you back in time, this is for you. The author just has a fantastic style that sucked me in from page one. Between being lost in the deserts, fighting the Mojave, and the sightings of these camels to this day make it a fun read.
April 27, 2015
Vegas denizen Johnson provides a brilliant look at the "Last Camel Charge" with his detailing of events dealing with the Mojave and the Mormons. A brilliant read and one that revealed just how much Hi Jolly did in his lifetime. As I was planning to write a book on the camel experiment, I have to say that I was delightfully disappointed that someone had beat me to the punch and did such a brilliant job.
April 30, 2013
The author gives alittle bit of information regarding the US Army's experiment with camels during the mid-1800s but unfortunately there are several works ot there that are more detailed about the actual workings of the experiment. The author does provide a lot of historical background about periferal events and people.
January 31, 2014
I really enjoyed this. Johnson uses the little known Camel Brigade to weave a broader tale of the American West and touches on the build up to the Civil War.
What a gem, I am truly surpassed that this didn't gain more traction and a wider audience it is well deserved !!
What a gem, I am truly surpassed that this didn't gain more traction and a wider audience it is well deserved !!
May 13, 2012
Well written story of the us army camels. Coverage is expansive of people involved. Camels were sighted in Texas in 2003!
December 18, 2014
Never ever would have guessed that camels were considered for military duty in the southwest. Good reading to learn more about this chapter in military history, as well as settling of the Southwest.
January 1, 2015
Really a fantastic book, had a really hard time putting it down. Made me miss my bus stop a few times.
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