consequently , grey 's daily occupation consisted generally of sixteen hours of argument with prussian sutlers , hanoverian mule drivers , and english quartermasters , endless meetings , inspecting and approving-or not-each new campsite , housing , and culinary arrangement , dealing with outbreaks of flux and pox , and dictating orders to-and listening to the excuses for not following said orders-of twenty-six company commanders regarding the behavior , equipment , and disposition of their men .