Post Mortem

Abstract

As the troops were taken aboard the transports a tally was kept. There were embarked 28,732 officers, enlisted men, and other ranks such as surgeons, paymasters, and veterinarians. It is obvious that the embarkation returns are incomplete or inexact in some instances. The 3rd Infantry, for example, had an effective strength on 1 December of 898 officers and men. Effective strength as used here means officers and men present and fit for duty or on command, but excluding those in hospital, sick in quarters, or detached from the army, or on leave. Only a small detachment of this regiment, 77 officers and men is included in the embarkation returns at La Coruña, and the fact that only a small detachment was taken aboard is noted in the returns.¹