The trains ran down to the wharf near the ships, the troops remaining in them until the usual officers, alighting, had placed the markers to indicate the positions for each company.

At the signal the companies fell in; the regiments in quarter column.

The companies then advanced successively, forming in line abreast their ship, between two gangways--one forward and one aft--along each of which was stretched a chain of men, who thus sent on board, one set the rifles, the other the sea kits and valises, which, passing from hand to {p.093} hand, reached certainly and without confusion the spot where their owner knew to seek them.
The company then moved off, clearing the ground for its successor, and was next divided into messes; which done, each mess, under charge of its own non-commissioned officer, went on board by a third gangway, to the living or "troop" deck.

This unceasing graduated progress completed its results for the first ship by 2 P.M., when she cast off her lines and steamed out.

The three others were then nearly ready, but were delayed a short space to receive a visit and inspection from the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, with a number of the distinguished higher staff-officers.