After a long pause he continued, “When we leave Cambridge, every man is to carry on his person, five days of rations and sufficient powder and shot for fifty discharges of his rifle, musket, or pistol. A special allocation of powder, shot, and flints for our units will be made at this headquarters one week from today, Saturday, the 9th of September, beginning at eight o’clock in the morning. Units will report on the following schedule:

“Advance Force: Eight o’clock to nine thirty.

“1st Battalion: Nine thirty to eleven o’clock.

“2nd Battalion: Eleven o’clock to twelve thirty.

“Rear Guard: Twelve thirty to two o’clock.

“All your soldiers will bring with them all of their equipment. After drawing fresh ammunition, we will establish a temporary tent-bivouac, with your units intact, in a field one mile east of here so we will all be together after we draw ammunition and are ready to deploy. No one will be allowed to return to where you are now billeted.

“When you return from this meeting, in addition to what I have just said, tell your men the following:

“First, we will likely be at sea less than three days.

“Second, the smallpox epidemic now sweeping through Boston and several other communities near here has not yet infected the port where we will embark. But on the way to our ships, we will pass through several places that are quarantined. Officers and sergeants must insist our soldiers avoid any contact with residents of these neighborhoods.

“In the days ahead, I shall provide additional information as it becomes available. Unless I direct otherwise, the order of movement to our port of embarkation will be in the same sequence as we draw ammunition next Saturday. Are there any questions?”

There were some, mostly, very practical.

“Will there be sanitary facilities at our new bivouac here in Cambridge?” Answer, “Yes. Each of our four units will dig one. Make sure they are downhill and downwind.”

“Whenever we get new powder and shot, our officers and men always test fire their rifles, muskets, and pistols. Given the General Order against wasting ammunition, will this be allowed?” Answer, “Good question. I will try to make it so and let you know?”

“Many of our men are farmers, watermen, merchants, storekeepers, clerks, and laborers from this area. Will they be allowed time between now and departure to say ‘good-bye’ to their families?” Answer, “Each unit Adjutant, give Captain Febiger a list of names of those so affected and I will try to make that happen.”

And this question from Major Return J. Meigs, “No one in my Battalion has ever been where I suppose we are going. Will we commanders be issued maps?” Answer—after a long pause, “I will do my best to make that happen.”