Mules are sturdy, strong, and durable animals and in the Civil War they provided a lot of brute strength to get tough, backbreaking work done for both the North and the South.
In the 19th century mules were commonly used on farms. They are so strong they can perform hard work under severe conditions that might injure or kill a horse. Mules can survive on the poorest of food. Before America become mechanized, the mule was a much-needed draft animal.
During the Civil War mules were used to pull wagons of supplies and forage, they were pack animals, beasts of burden. Mules would carry regimental baggage, rations, and boxes of small arms ammunition with specially designed pack saddles strapped on their backs. Mules would used in teams of six and hitched to wagons in pairs.
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