three a.m.
Travelling is generally said to be troublesome , but travelling with and through brigades , divisions , and army corps , I can certify to be more so than is usually agreeable . It is not that Italian officers or Italian soldiers are in any way disposed to throw obstacles in your way ; but they , unhappily for you , have with them the inevitable cars with the inevitable carmen , both of which are enough to make your blood freeze , though the barometer stands very high . What with their indolence , what with their number and the dust they made , I really thought they would drive me mad before I should reach Casalmaggiore on my way from Torre Malamberti . I started from the former place at three a.m. , with beautiful weather , which , true to tradition , accompanied me all through my journey . Passing through San Giovanni in Croce , to which the headquarters of General Pianell had been transferred , I turned to the right in the direction of the Po , and began to have an idea of the wearisome sort of journey which I would have to make up to Casalmaggiore . On both sides of the way some regiments belonging to the rear division were still camped , and as I passed it was most interesting to see how busy they were cooking their ` rancio , ' polishing their arms , and making the best of their time . The officers stood leisurely about gazing and staring at me , supposing , as I thought , that I was travelling with some part in the destiny of their country .