Complex sentence: Algren finds the Imperial soldiers are poorly-trained and conscripted peasants without knowledge of fire-arms, but before he can rectify this to his satisfaction, the army is ordered to defend a railroad owned by Omura under threat from the samurai.
Split into simpler sentences: Algren finds the Imperial soldiers are poorly-trained, conscripted peasants without knowledge of firearms. Before training is completed, the army is ordered to defend a railroad owned by Omura under threat from the samurai.