know that the attack ought to have been made unless he had all the information which determines the conduct of the commander of the army. He may state to the Commission at what point it might have seemed convenient.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. At what point in that invasion might an attack have been made by General Buell's army with a prospect of success?

The WITNESS. I have state that I knew nothing about the position of the enemy till I arrived at Bowling Green.

General BUELL. At what date?

The WITNESS. I don't know the date. On Monday I heard the enemy was at Glasgow; don't know where the information came from; I think from General Buell's headquarters. I had a conversation with Mr. Hobson; it was at Bowling Green. I understood the enemy was at Glasgow, about 20 miles from Bowling Green, the force estimated at about 35,000. It was simply talk among my brother generals, and I got from Mr. Hobson my impression that in addition to that troops were coming on from Nashville. We heard rumors of it. General Buel intended to attack the enemy at Glasgow, and if we had pushed on might have attacked him at Munfordville. But I was in favor of the Munfordville attack, because I knew the advantage the enemy would have in position. I had a conversation with General Buell at Dripping Springs, and I knew that we should sacrifice a great many men if we attacked the enemy there. I think, after what has been said, if more had been made from Nashville and a forward movement made at Bowling Green we might possibly have reached the enemy at Glasgow. But it was a matter of speculation altogether, as I believe they were running the day that General Wood arrived at Munfordville. I believe the enemy had left it that day, at least the rear guard out of Munfordville, and it was reported they had some infantry. I presume if General Buell had marched on Bardstown he might have got a fight out of the enemy at Muldraught's Hill. My idea was that Louisville was threatened; Cincinnati had also been threatened. Kirby Smith was in front of it, and the more haste was made in getting to Louisville the better. That was my impression. I will state that General Buell was traveling with me, and I did not take any means of acquainting myself with the position of the enemy. I considered it his business entirely. When I am marching alone I do. I would also state that when at Edge field Junction I received a letter from General Wood, who was then encamped at Bowling Green, to make haste and hurry up, that the enemy were marching on Glasgow; also some dispatches came down from General Crittended to Buell, which I turned over.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. Was that your opinion at the time of the invasion or is it an opinion made up since from circumstances which have come to your knowledge?

It is the opinion I had at the time. I built some of the defenses of that place and knew exactly what it would take to take them.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. Do I understand you to say, General McCook, that those were the only two points where the enemy might have been attacked with a prospect of success?

General BUELL. He has not stated those points could have been attacked with a prospect of success.

The WITNESS. Unless General Buell had turned off from his course and marched to Hodgensville.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. It appears to me that the witness stated that an attack could have been made with a prospect of success at points which he has not yet mentioned. I have no anxiety or wish to make points; on the contrary, I permitted this evidence to take a wide range, that all the facts in reference to this case might come before the Commission. I have no prejudice of feeling in the case.

General BUELL. I beg to express my gratification at the disposition which the judge-advocate's remarks indicate and I withdraw my objection.