At Jefferson Davis' suggestion, in 1855 Congress bought some of these animals from Egypt for the Southwest
[DOC] [TLE] Camels Arrive in Texas, Begin US Army Experiment - The Burn Pit [PAR] Apr 29, 2011 ... Jefferson Davis ... On March 3, 1855 Congress passed an appropriation of 
$30,000 to ... and another adherent of the use of camels in the American 
southwest.