but with the usual disorganized comings and goings , there were as many men in tranent as out of it , with detachments coming and going in more or less military formation , messengers galloping to and fro-some on ponies , some by shanks ' mare-and the wives , children , and camp followers , who overflowed the cottages and sat outside , leaning on stone walls and nursing babies in the intermittent sun , calling to passing messengers for word of the most recent action .