Translation please

Wig-wag:  slang term for semaphor with flags; a type of signalling.  could be either a verb or adjective, I believe.  The etymology is from the verb wag, like a dog's tail + wiggle, move like a worm out of the soil and refers to how the flags and arms move when signalling.

'Contonment' should be "Cantonment"--a military camp. Sorry about that!
 My French dictionary has 'cantonment' as well and I don't know the difference between this and bivouac except maybe a cantonment is semi-permanent.

It should also be noted that "chow" is used for food only in the military and some other out-door functions, ie. cowboys might refer to chow as well.
'Grub' is a good synonym, too.