Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 29
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

¹ [2] And Scipio did not in the least scorn soldiers of that kind, [p. 305]as he knew that the disaster at Cannae had not been² incurred by their cowardice,³ and that there were no soldiers in the Roman army who were such veterans and as highly trained not only in battles of different kinds but also in besieging cities. [3] The fifth and sixth legions were those from Cannae. Having said he would transport these legions to Africa, he inspected the soldiers one by one, and leaving those whom he believed to be unfit, he substituted for them men whom he had brought with him from Italy, and recruited the legions to such an extent that each had six thousand two hundred infantry⁴ and three hundred cavalry. [4] In like manner he chose foot-soldiers and horse from the Latin allies out of the army which fought at Cannae.

XXV. As to the number of soldiers transported to Africa the authorities differ by no small figure. In some I find that ten thousand infantry, two thousand two hundred cavalry were embarked; in others sixteen thousand infantry, sixteen hundred cavalry; in others the total is more than doubled —thirty-five thousand infantry and cavalry. [5] Some authorities have not introduced the figures, and it is among these that I should myself prefer to be counted in view of the uncertainty. [6] Coelius, while he gives no figures, nevertheless immensely increases the impression of great numbers.⁵ He says that birds fell to the ground owing to the shouts of the soldiers, and that such a multitude boarded the ships that not a human being seemed to be left either in Italy or Sicily.

[7] [p. 307] That the soldiers should board the ships in good⁶ order and without confusion the general took upon himself. As for the crews, Gaius Laelius, who was admiral of the fleet, ordered them to go on board first, and kept them there. [8] The duty of loading supplies was assigned to Marcus Pomponius, the praetor. Rations for forty-five days —of these cooked rations for fifteen days —were placed on board. [9] When now they had all embarked, Scipio sent ships' boats round with orders that pilots and masters from all the ships and two soldiers from each should assemble before the headquarters to receive commands. When they were assembled he first asked them if they had put on board water for men and beasts for just as many days as they had grain. [10] When they replied that there was water for forty-five days on board, he thereupon gave orders to the soldiers to remain quiet and ensure silence in proper obedience to the seamen and without interference, that these might perform their duties. [11] With twenty warships, he said, he and Lucius Scipio⁷ on the right wing would protect the transports; on the left wing the same number of war-ships and Gaius Laelius, admiral of the fleet, with Marcus Porcius Cato, who was at that time quaestor;⁸ that war-ships should have one lantern for each ship, transports two for each; that on the flagship the designation at night [p. 309]would be three lanterns. [12] He ordered the pilots to⁹ steer for the Emporia.¹⁰ There the soil is very fertile and for that reason the region supplies everything in abundance; and the natives are unwarlike, as is usually the case in a fertile country, and it seemed that they could be overpowered before aid could be sent from Carthage.¹¹ After he had issued these commands they were ordered to return to their ships and on the following day, with the blessing of the gods, to cast off at the given signal.