In 1858, I took a train of mules to Camp Floyd, in Utah, forty-eight miles south of Salt Lake City; During the march there were days and nights that I could not get a drop of water for the animals.  The young mules, three and four years old, gave out from sheer exhaustion; while the older ones kept up, and had to draw the wagons along.  Now, there are many purposes to which a young mule may be put with advantage; but they are altogether unfit for army purposes, and the sooner the Government stops using them, the better.

When they are purchased for army use, they are almost sure to be put into a train, and turned over to the tender mercies of some teamster, who knows nothing whatever about the character of the animal.  And here let me say that thousands of the best mules in the army, during the war, were ruined and made useless to the Government on account of the incompetency and ignorance of the wagon-masters and teamsters who had to deal with them.  Persons who own private teams and horses are generally particular to know the character of the person who takes care of them, and to ascertain that he knows his business.  Is he a good driver?  Is he a good groom?  Is he careful in feeding and watering?  These are the questions that are asked; and if he has not these qualities he will not do.  But a teamster in the army has none of these questions put to him.  No; he is intrusted with a valuable team, and expected to take proper care of it when he has not the first qualification to do so.  If he is asked a question at all, it is merely if he has ever driven a team before.  If he answer in the affirmative, and there are any vacancies, he is employed at once, though he may not know how to lead a mule by the head properly.  This is not alone the case with teamsters.  I have known wagon-masters who really did not know how to straighten out a six-mule team, or, indeed, put the harness on them properly.  And yet the wagon-master has almost complete power over the train.  It will be readily seen from this, how much valuable property may be destroyed by placing incompetent men in such places.  Wagon-masters, it seems to me, should not be allowed, under any circumstances, to have or take charge of a train of animals of any kind until they are thoroughly competent to handle, harness, and drive a six-animal team.

There is another matter which needs essential improvement.  I refer now to the men who are placed as superintendents over our Government corrals and depots for animals.  Many of these men know little of either the horse or the mule, and are almost entirely ignorant of what is necessary for transportation.  A superintendent should have a thorough knowledge of the character and capacity of all kinds of animals necessary for a good team.  He should know at sight the age and weight of animals, should be able to tell the most suitable place for different animals in a team, and where each would be of the most service.  He should know all parts of his wagon and harness at a glance, be able to take each portion apart and put them together again, each in its proper shape and place, and, above all, he should have practical experience with all kinds of animals that are used in the army.  This is especially necessary during war.