sufficiency of the home supply were speedily dispelled by the unforeseen conditions accompanying the transition from peace to war. Not only was the Remount department required to provide horses and mules for a far larger British army than had ever before taken the field, but that army was operating at an immense distance from its base over a larger extent of country than any over which a British army had ever before been called upon to act. Besides this, no force previously sent into the field by any nation has included in its composition such a large proportion of mounted men. Consequently, the demands on the Remount department were of unprecedented magnitude.[27] [Footnote 24: A proposal to send 700 Argentine horses and mules "to acclimatise, anticipating next year's casualties," was sent to the General Officer Commanding S. Africa, in April, 1899.--Tel. Q.M.G. to G.O.C., S.A., 28th April. (S.A. Series No. 3.)] [Footnote 25: The total number of animals furnished by the Remount department up to August, 1902, was as follows:-- +-----------------------+-------------------+----------+ | Horses. | | | +------------+----------+ Mules and Donkeys.| Total. | | With units.| Remounts.| | | +------------+----------+-------------------+----------+ | 20,251 | 450,223 | 149,648 | 620,122 | +------------+----------+-------------------+----------+] [Footnote 26: Court of Enquiry on Army Remounts. Q. 8, Minutes of Evidence.] [Footnote 27: Court of Enquiry on Army Remounts. Report, Para. 234.] [Sidenote: Absence of depôts.] What contributed not a little to these demands was the absence of preparation in South Africa in establishing beforehand depôts from which a regular supply could be maintained, and in which imported animals could rest after the voyage and become to a certain extent acclimatised before they were used in the field. [Sidenote: Partial provision of depôts.] In June, 1899, the Inspector-General had represented the necessity of sending out a proper remount establishment to receive animals, and a supervising staff. This proposal was only adopted to the extent that, on June 22nd, sanction was given for an Assistant-Inspector of Remounts, accompanied by a small staff, to go to South Africa. In August, 1899, approval was given for the retention of the existing depôt at Stellenbosch as a temporary measure, while on the Natal side "the present depôt" was reported by the Officer Commanding troops as being "sufficient for all that the War Office had sanctioned."[28] [Footnote 28: Telegram General Officer Commanding South Africa, to Secretary of State, 3rd September. (South African Series, No. 200.)] [Sidenote: Mules and oxen.]