DOUGLAS THE CAMEL: A history lesson with humps
Published 12:04 pm Friday, July 4, 2025
- Daleel the camel plays the role of Douglas at a historical interpretation event at the Vicksburg National Military Park on Friday morning. ‘Daleel’ is an Arabic word that translates to ‘guide.’ (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)
A historical interpretation event was held Friday morning at the Vicksburg National Military Park. The event told the story of Douglas the camel.
Douglas was a live camel owned by Confederate soldier William Hargrove, who joined the 43rd Mississippi Infantry during the Civil War. Douglas became the mascot of the regiment and was assigned to the regimental band.
Historical interpreter Doug Baum spoke to the Post about Douglas.
“He was a roadie. There were no soldiers on camelback that, you know, rode Douglas into battle. He carried the band instruments,” Baum said.
He added that we know about Douglas because of the accounts of Confederate Veterans who spoke to a reporter about the camel in the 1890s. According to them, Douglas was killed by a Union sharpshooter and then eaten by the Confederate soldiers who were, at the time, short on supplies.
Two camels were on hand, with one playing the role of Douglas.
“This colorful, quirky story serves as, I think, a really easy entry point, especially for young people who might be like, ‘I hate history. History’s boring,’” Baum said.
A grave marker for Douglas still stands in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in town.
Baum and the camels will continue their historical interpretation at the park on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.
