What Was Ed Beale Wearing On His Legendary Camel Ride?

 January 22, 2026

   You know I spend a lot of time trying to capture wardrobe and the hats right on my historical renderings, so it should come as no surprise that when it comes to Ed Beale, I have a big, fat challenge. For starters, the Beale Expedition had all the latest tech stuff, including a camera, but supposedly, it was too complicated to use and they didn't take any photos! Also, it must be noted most of the early expeditions saw the participants dressed as, well, frontiersmen, which most of them were. Even most military excursions featured a grubbier version of parade ground etiquette.

   All that said, here's a sneak peek at the first cover rough which me and Dan The Man threw together a couple days ago.

Not the best likeness.

   For starters, I admit, it's not the best likeness of Beale. Here was my reference:

The first portrait is Beale in his later years and the second is allegedly of Beale undercover in Mexico early in his career. I chose that odd tie and coat to get to here:

   Someone online said they would expect him to be in military garb, but in fact, Lt. Beale had resigned from the Navy in 1851, about six years before the Camel Corp Expedition, so he may not have been geared up with your typical 1855 Navy uniform issue, like this:

   On the other hand, my artist compadre, Bill Ahrendt went in that direction with his portrayal of the Camel Corp at the Colorado River:

   So, I did a study today emulating a mixed menagerie of uniforms and frontiersman clothing.

Daily Whip Out: "Camel Corp Mixed Bag"

   I also sent out queries to all the historians I know who might have a dog in this fight. Stay tuned.

"The real reason fights over historical accuracy are so vicious is because there's so little at stake."

—Old Historian Saying