In 1855, Congress approved a plan developed by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to import camels as pack animals for the U.S. Army operating in the American Southwest.
The camels were also considered for use as a long-range mounted force that could drive “hostile Indians out of the country.” The storeship USS Supply was refitted with special hatches, stables, hoists and a “camel car” for the sole purpose of loading and transporting dromedaries.
Once the first herd of camels was obtained in North Africa, Supply [w]as further modified to compensate for the towering humps of the camels by cutting away part of the main deck. The camels were delivered to Texas where their potential was recognized but the plan was never fully implemented due to the advent of the Civil War.
So instead of wasting them, the U.S. Army sold the camels to zoos. TRUE
[Image and story found here. More about the Camel Corps here.]
Tacky Raccoons 
The U.S. military actually conducted trials at a place called
Fort Tejon in California using camels. The idea was that
their ability go a long way without water would make them
ideal for fighting Indians in the Southwest. There was even
a Western comedy called Hawmps starring Christopher
Connely and Slim Pickens based on this story.
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Leonard J–
Nice update on an oddity. I remember the name of the movie “Hawmps” but I never saw it. Aside from that, EVERY movie featuring Slim Pickens is worth watching, whether you like it or not.
My personal favortie is from “The Flim Flam Man.”
https://youtu.be/8hEm6LiU3rw
Bunk
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