On April 13, history will repeat itself when camels come to the spot where the Siege of Vicksburg was fought in 1863.

The animals’ visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park will include demonstrations and history lessons all relating to one particular camel, Douglas, who spent the summer of 1863 in Vicksburg as the mascot for the 43rd Mississippi Infantry, Company A.

“He was an Arabian camel here during the Siege of Vicksburg and was shot by a Union sharpshooter during battle,” said Melissa Perez, the education specialist at the VNMP. “Allegedly, he is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Soldiers’ Rest. There is a marker with a camel on it.”

Perez said Douglas carried regimental band instruments for the infantry and was considered “camel royalty.” Douglas, however, was not the only case in which camels assisted national armed forces. When Jefferson Davis was Secretary of State, he was instrumental in creating the U.S. Camel Corps — which was prevalent primarily in the Southeast as an alternative method for transporting soldiers and equipment.

“The United States began purchasing the animals in 1856. In fact, Douglas probably came directly from the original U.S. Camel Corps,” Perez said.

The return of the camels is being orchestrated by Doug Baum, a former zookeeper and full-time camel guide in Valley Mills, Texas. He and two of his camels will re-enact maneuvers performed during the 19th century. He will also provide a history lesson on Douglas and the U.S. Camel Corps. On April 12, he and the camels will visit Bovina Elementary School for a similar demonstration.

At the park, the camels will be at the Surrender Interview Site on Pemberton Avenue. Baum and the camels will be there from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with formal demonstrations at 10 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.. The program is free and the park admission fee will be waived for visitors wishing to attend. For more information, contact the VNMP at 601-636-0583.