He felt it his sworn and bound duty to find some informality in it, and it was brought back for correction according to his notions, you see.

Well, after getting the corporal's consent and approval, it goes up to the sergeant.

It ain't right! Some informality, perhaps, in the wording and spelling.

Then the lieutenants had to have a say in it, and when it got to the captain, it had to be read and re-read, to see that every "i" was dotted and "t" crossed, but returned because there was one word that he couldn't make out.

Then it was forwarded to the colonel.