court have been tabled indefinitely, we can offer instead an inconspicuous but entertaining collection of books on a subject that may alleviate the urge to return to the dunes: camels. Because as many eager but naive travelers have found, these exotic, mercurial beasts are as likely to frustrated as they 
are to fascinate. (Observe this uncooperative steed, photographed c. 2006 by a far-flung Blog correspondent, that lowered itself to receive an excited rider only to change its mind and refuse to rise. Luckily its handler had not demanded payment up-front.)Fortunately for us, such realities were mostly unknown to the numerous 19th Century English-speaking traveler/authors who were willing to provide us with literary records of their adventures. Not even the United States Army could resist the lure of the camel - particularly the advantages its fabled durability could 
provide in negotiating the terrain of its newly conquered southwest. And so it was that in 1855 Secretary of War Jefferson Davis - himself a veteran of the campaigns against Mexico a decade earlier - presided over an expedition to import camels for use as Army transport across the unforgiving landscapes of the newest American frontier. The official record of the experiment (Washington, 1857; $250) is among the four titles waiting to be found in the shop's rare book room.
provide in negotiating the terrain of its newly conquered southwest. And so it was that in 1855 Secretary of War Jefferson Davis - himself a veteran of the campaigns against Mexico a decade earlier - presided over an expedition to import camels for use as Army transport across the unforgiving landscapes of the newest American frontier. The official record of the experiment (Washington, 1857; $250) is among the four titles waiting to be found in the shop's rare book room.The report chronicles both 
voyages aboard the U.S. ship Supply that would bring a total of 75 Arabian camels from their native homes to the equally exotic port of Indianola, TX to determine just how these remarkable animals could benefit American expansion. The book's highlights include an illustration of the strenuous measures required to embark a semi-cooperative Bactrian camel, diagrams of Persian camel artillery 
(complete with suggested tactical formations in which a camel would be useful only in its ability to absorb massed rifle fire or deflect artillery projectiles), and a gift of camel hair socks made as a special gift for President Franklin Pierce. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is the record of correspondence between Davis and the commander of the Supply, then Navy Lieutenant (Admiral would come later) David D. Porter. These two, of course, would find themselves on less cordial terms only a few years later.
voyages aboard the U.S. ship Supply that would bring a total of 75 Arabian camels from their native homes to the equally exotic port of Indianola, TX to determine just how these remarkable animals could benefit American expansion. The book's highlights include an illustration of the strenuous measures required to embark a semi-cooperative Bactrian camel, diagrams of Persian camel artillery 
(complete with suggested tactical formations in which a camel would be useful only in its ability to absorb massed rifle fire or deflect artillery projectiles), and a gift of camel hair socks made as a special gift for President Franklin Pierce. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is the record of correspondence between Davis and the commander of the Supply, then Navy Lieutenant (Admiral would come later) David D. Porter. These two, of course, would find themselves on less cordial terms only a few years later.Ultimately, it was the Civil War that doomed the camel experiment, though the soldiers (not to mention the horses!) involved generally found them to be less than willing allies. Better, perhaps, to enjoy the camel on paper; and at the Brattle, we're happy to oblige.
