At dark, with our packs strapped upon our backs, we moved to the station and were embarked on board of ordinary passenger cars--a noncommissioned officer at the doors of each car to see that none went out and that no one not belonging there went in. Each commissioned officer had a list that showed the place of each man and saw that he _stayed_ there. The next morning we found our train at a big New York terminal, and had our breakfast--of sandwiches and hot coffee that had been prepared for us the day before. From there we were embarked on a ferry boat. Our company was on the top deck where we could see the tugs, steamers and ferry boats, busily moving on the stream, as we swung up the broad Hudson to the piers where several big transports lay. Sailing lists of every man’s name in order of formation had been made in duplicate, one for our officers and another in the hands of the embarking officer. So he knew just how many of us there were, and had already designated a berth for each man. The railroad transport officer met us with the inquiry: “Is Company ---- of ---- Regiment on this boat?” “Yes, sir!” “Colonel Burbank?” “Here, sir!” “Good. Disembark at once, sir. Your transport sails in half an hour. Form your men on the dock opposite the freight clerk.” “Yes, sir!” “A loading detail of ten men!” “Yes, sir!” We disembark; but before the first company could be formed a transportation officer without saying by your leave marched us on board. He is the supreme officer on the dock--no matter if the general commanding be present the officer is the boss. Along the deck we went in column and on board the huge transport. “Your sailing list, sir!” “Yes, sir.” “Are you formed in order of list?” “Yes, sir.” “Good! Load the company, Mr. Blank.” The clerk, with a lieutenant by his side with a duplicate list, calls out, “First Sergeant Smith.” “Here, sir.” The sergeant is handed a ticket, goes up the gangplank where he meets another sailor who sends him below; there he meets another sailor who sends him still further below, and so on until he is at the bottom of the ship where the bilge water smells. The others follow until the ship is stowed with a human freight of three thousand five hundred men. Every man has his bunk of collapsible iron tubing which stand in tiers three high, with a passage way between. Later on, the top sergeant gets a second class room. No dogs allowed; but I smuggled Muddy in under my big coat. We were all on board by night, and slept in our new quarters, but were surprised to awake in the morning and find our ship still at the dock. We were allowed to go ashore for exercise on the dock, and the ship routine began. Our canteens were ordered to be filled but not to be used except in an emergency.