be
allotted; and some attempt at establishing depots of provisions
and military stores behoved to be made. In adjusting these
matters the whole of the 22nd was occupied, on which day the
General likewise reviewed the whole of the army. This being
ended, the force was next distributed into divisions, or corps;
and the following is the order it assumed.

Instead of a light brigade, the General resolved to set apart
three battalions as an advanced guard. The regiments nominated
to that service were the 4th, the 85th Light Infantry, and the
95th. Rifles; and he selected Colonel Thornton of the 85th, as an
officer of talent and enterprise, to command them. Attached to
this corps were a party of rocket-men, with two light three-pounders--
a species of gun convenient enough, where celerity of movement is
alone regarded, but of very little real utility in the field.
The rest of the troops were arranged, as before, into two
brigades. The first, composed of the 21st, 44th, and one
black regiment, was intrusted to Colonel Brook; and the second,
containing the 93rd and the other black corps, to Colonel
Hamilton, of the 7th West India regiment. To each of these, a
certain proportion of artillery and rockets was allotted: whilst
the dragoons, who had brought their harness and other
appointments on shore, remained as a sort of bodyguard to the
General, till they should provide themselves with horses.

The adjustment of these matters having occupied a considerable
part of the 22nd, it was determined that all things should remain
as they were till next morning. Boats, in the mean time, began
to assemble from all quarters, supplies of ammunition were
packed, so as to prevent the possibility of damage from moisture, and
stores of various descriptions were got ready. But it appeared
that, even now, many serious inconveniences must be endured, and
obstacles surmounted, before the troops could reach the scene of
action. In the first place, from Pine Island to that part of the
main towards which prudence directed us to steer, was a distance
of no less than 80 miles. This, of itself, was an obstacle, or
at least an inconvenience, of no slight nature; for should the
weather prove boisterous, open boats, heavily laden with
soldiers, would stand little chance of escaping destruction in
the course of so long a voyage. In the next place, and what was
of infinitely greater importance, it was found that there were
not, throughout the w