Unknown officers stood along the way to direct, for the regiment's platoon leaders had no knowledge of the way.
Thus a mile or more was covered by a regiment that looked disorganized and spectral in the darkness.

Then the aspect changed somewhat.
Whiffs of salt air prepared the soldiers.

Army trucks were moving on parallel roads or trails.

Ahead of them appeared high fences of barbed wire.

It looked as though the travelers had come upon a huge bull-pen.