One Minute History - The Mule Bomb #horsetory

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Incitatus Ch.

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Published on February 12, 2024 1:00:25 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhfbHripv2Q

Duration: 0:59

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The American Civil War saw many groundbreaking tactics and technologies used in war for the first time. Some were brilliant and innovative, others were just dumb, and this tactic, the mule bomb, might be the dumbest of all. In February 1862, the Confederates were in the midst of their New Mexico campaign when they were met with a Union force intent on preventing them from crossing the Rio Grande at Valverde. The night before the battle, Union Captain James Craydon had the brilliant idea of strapping explosives to a pair of mules and sending them to blow up the Confederate camp. The two mule bombs were rigged up and sent towards the Confederates, but Craydon had not counted on the stubbornness of the mules, who quickly turned around and headed back for the Union camp instead. The mules detonated just outside of the Union camp, and although there were no casualties besides the mules, no commander, Union or Confederate, ever tried that particular tactic again!