General Harney was to command the expedition.

Col.
Albert Sidney Johnston, afterward killed at Shiloh, where he fought on the Confederate side, was in charge of the expedition to which the earliest trains were to be sent.
Many of the soldiers had already pushed on ahead.

Russell, Majors & Waddell were awarded the contract for taking them supplies and beef cattle.

The supplies were forwarded in the long trains of twenty-five wagons, of which I have told you.

The cattle were driven after the soldiers, the herds often falling many miles behind them.
I watched these great preparations eagerly, and it occurred to me that I ought to have a share in them.