But, thanks to the fact that nobody had had any experience in handling even such a small force as ours--about 17,000 men--there was no semblance of order.

Wood and I were bound that we should not be left behind when the expedition started.

When we were finally informed that it was to leave next morning, we were ordered to go to a certain track to meet a train.

We went to the track, but the train never came.

Then we were sent to another track to meet another train.