Tampa was a scene of the wildest confusion.  There were miles of tracks loaded with cars of the contents of which nobody seemed to have any definite knowledge.  General Miles, who was supposed to have supervision over everything, and General Shafter, who had charge of the expedition, were both there.  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.  Again it never came.  However, we found a coal train, of which we took possession, and the conductor, partly under duress and partly in a spirit of friendly helpfulness, took us down to the quay.

All kinds of other organizations, infantry and cavalry, regular and volunteer, were arriving at the quay and wandering around it, and there was no place where we could get any specific information as to what transport we were to have.  Finally Wood was told to “get any ship you can get which is not already assigned.”  He borrowed without leave a small motor boat, and commandeered the transport Yucatan.  When asked by the captain what his authority was, he reported that he was acting “by orders of General Shafter,” and directed the ship to be brought to the dock.  He had already sent me word to be ready, as soon as the ship touched the pier, to put the regiment aboard her.  I found that she had already been assigned to a regular regiment, and to another volunteer regiment, and as it was evident that not more than half of the men assigned to her could possibly get on, I was determined that we should not be among the men left off.  The volunteer regiment offered a comparatively easy problem.  I simply marched my men past them to the allotted place and held the gangway.  With the regulars I had to be a little more diplomatic, because their commander, a lieutenant-colonel, was my superior in rank, and also doubtless knew his rights.  He sent word to me to make way, to draw my regiment off to one side, and let his take possession of the gangway.  I could see the transport coming in, and could dimly make out Wood’s figure thereon.  Accordingly I played for time.  I sent respectful requests through his officers to the commander of the regulars, entered into parleys, and made protestations, until the transport got near enough so that by yelling at the top of my voice I was able to get into a—­highly constructive—­communication with Wood.  What he was saying I had no idea, but he was evidently speaking, and on my own responsibility I translated it into directions to hold the gangway, and so informed the regulars that I was under the orders of my superior and of a ranking officer, and—­to my great regret, etc., etc.—­could not give way as they desired.  As soon as the transport was fast we put our men aboard at the double.  Half of the regular regiment got on, and the other half and the other volunteer regiment went somewhere else.