General Miles and his staff went to Port Tampa Sunday morning at 6:30’ to deliver parting instructions.  During a heavy rain squall on Saturday night at 8 o’clock while the transports were straining at their cables the little tug Captain Sam steamed from ship to ship megaphoning the order:  “Stand ready to sail at daylight.”  Above the roar of the storm wild cheers were heard and a bright flash of lightning revealed the soldiers standing in the rain waving their wet hats and hurrahing.  When the morning broke, piers were lined with transports, the docks were crowded with box cars, flat cars, stock cars, baggage and express cars.  Most of these were crowded with soldiers who were cheered until their ears ached, and who cheered in return until hoarse.

Bright-colored dresses and fragile parasols in the crowds of blue-coats indicated the presence of the fair sex.  Horses and mules were kicking up clouds of dust and the sun poured down its hot rays on the sweltering mass of humanity.  Thus Sunday passed, the transports at the docks and those in midstream receiving their quotas of men and the necessaries to sustain them.

Stirring scenes continued.

General Miles again went to the port on Monday on the early train.  The stirring scenes continued; the mad rush had not abated.  General Miles from the observation end of his car watched the crowd as it passed near him.  The transports swinging at their moorings were plainly in view, as were also many of those at the docks.  The embarkation of animals was progressing satisfactorily.

Shortly after 9 o’clock the funnels of the transports began to pour forth volumes of black smoke.  The Olivette, Margaret, Mateo and Laura were visiting the fleet, giving water to one, troops to another, animals and equipments to another.  Along the pier could be heard the voices of the transport commanders as they gave their orders to cut loose.  The gangplanks were pulled in, the hatchways closed, lines cast off and the engines were put in motion.

The vessels backed into the bay and anchored to await the order to sail.  The Matteawan hove her cable short at 10 o’clock.  All eyes were riveted on the Seguranca, the flagship, and when the final signal came a mighty cheer arose.  From the lower row of portholes to her tops hats waved in wild delight.  The anchor was quickly weighed and the great vessel pointed her prow down the bay.  In a few minutes the City of Washington, Kio Grande, Cherokee, Iroquois and Whitney followed.  As these boats picked their way through the anchored fleet men shouted and bands played.  Every vessel elicited a wild display of enthusiasm.  These were the only vessels to depart in the forenoon, some of them going over to St. Petersburg to procure water.

General Miles, evidently becoming impatient, embarked on the Tarpon at 12:30 and went out among the fleet, going as far down the bay as St. Petersburg and not returning until 4 o’clock.  In the meantime other transports were steaming down the bay.