The Perryville Mule School

Soon after the Civil War erupted in April 1861, Perryville became an important Union staging area. Adjacent to Fort Dare, a riverside plantation confiscated from Confederate sympathizers was transformed into a special camp and school for mules. About 11,000 mules, 3,500 horses, 3,000 wagons, and 3,200 teamsters converged on Perryville for military training. The mules arrived unbroken, tended to stampede, challenged those hired to train them, and protested receiving U.S. brands on their shoulders. By the time they left for war, they were harnessed four to a wagon in teams, obeyed commands, and hauled valuable military supplies. Their service was critically important to the Federal logistics and supply system, and the training academy at Perry Point took credit for their good behavior. During the war, about 1.5 million horses and mules were wounded or killed. After the government decided to close the training camp in 1862, a unique auction sold mules, horses, mares with foals, cooking stoves, grain sacks, tire irons, iron, lumber, barracks, neck halters, horseshoe nails, stable forks, and lanterns.

Perryville, Maryland · United States