of an army nearly double his own. the opinion of officers of intelligence and position in the Army of the Ohio are introduced by the Government, not for the purpose of proving the force under Bragg, but to snow that something near his actual strength was known at the time, and it is somewhat remarkable that General Buell was ignorant of a fact patent to his army. General Thomas, for example, said that he could never make out the strength of Bragg's army above 45,000, and of this were left to take care of the flank and rear and to threaten Nashville. This force he says was not within supporting distance had Bragg been compelled to fight between the Cumberland River and Munfordville. General Thomas, although introduce by the Government, is made General Buell's witness, and his statement are to be regarded as beyond dispute. General Rousseau, a witness summoned by the defense, says:

My impression is that the strength of General Bragg's army was overrated. I put Bragg at from 35,000 to 45,000 at Munfordville.

Major-General McCook states:

On Monday at bowling Green I understood the enemy was at Glasgow, his force estimated at about 30,000 men. It was simply the talk among my brother generals.

Brigadier-General Wood:

I am satisfied by information received from various sources that Bragg's army led into Kentucky did not exceed 35,000 men.

Brigadier-General Steedman says:

The opinion is firmly fixed in my mind by frequent conversation with officers at various points the march that the strength of the Confederate Army was in the neighborhood of 35,000.

General Fry:

From all sources of information Bragg's army was estimated at 36,000. There were rumors that he had 50,000 or 60,000. The most intelligent officers placed it at not exceeding 36,000.

Colonel Streight states:

From facts I could gather they (the rebels) had from 30,000 to 35,000. At Gallatin I learned from General Wood that had placed them at about 33,000.

I could multiply these evidences of knowledge on the part of subordinate officers, but do not consider it necessary. True, other officers make the estimate greater, but they are men whose opportunities would not justify a positive opinion, such as Generals Granger and Boyle.

It is true that a man by the name of Rapier is introduced, who claims to have counted the forces under General Bragg, and makes them over 100,000. But his story is so improbable and contradictory that it cannot claim reasonable credence. He flies in fear from his dwelling on the approach of the rebels, and yet places himself in full view of their column on the road-side, when for two days from early in the morning until late at night, without rest and without refreshment, he calmly counts and notches upon a stick the regiments as they hurry past upon the double quick. He makes the force over 100,000 and marches them upon one road. He has no motive for this other than idle curiosity; and, again, Captain Jones produces certain tables, showing that prisoners representing one hundred and sixty regiment had been taken during Bragg's occupation of Kentucky. It would be quite impossible to ascertain worthless when brought forward to contradict that of witnesses who speak from positive knowledge. However, General Buell himself saves