formation which it was necessary to obtain and on which every commander regulates the movements of his army.

My impression was that the entire army that had been at Corinth was at Chattanooga. When I was in command at Battle Creek some of the enemy's camps were in sight of some of my signal stations. Our pickets were on opposite sides of the Tennessee River. As far as the eye could be go the river was picketed and in force. General McCowan was in command at Chattanooga when I first went there. He in a short time was superseded by General Bragg. They had their troops stationed at different points back of Chattanooga, near the Lookout Mountain, at the junction of the Will's Creek Railroad. They had troops stationed also in front of me, a division at Shell Mound, and scattered down the railroad toward Bridgeport, and carried information to their officer every hour. Cars went down, and were busy, particularly at night, going and coming, and they could have had no reason for running where they did except for the transportation of troops. They had all the railroad bridges guarded by brigades.

By General BUELL:

Question. Will you state what estimate was placed upon the strength of Bragg's army in round numbers?

From the best information, my impression is that he had about 75,000 men. I believed the entire army of Corinth was there. Soldiers from Alabama were there. I got this information from deserters.

Question. Did you report this information to me from time to time as you received it?

I had communication with you two or three times a day, sometimes oftener. Whenever I received information it was telegraphed to you at once.

Question. Were there any means of crossing the Tennessee River?

None whatever, except by making bridges. There were no boats, except one small boat at Battle Creek, which I found sunken, and which had capacity for carrying about 40 men. I will state, in addition, on the opposite side of the river was a line of rifle pits occupied by the enemy where it was approachable to ferry.

Question. Suppose the means of crossing the river provided, were the means of supplying the army such as to make it possible for the army to advance to the enemy's country?

No,sir; we were on half rations at the time and just drawing our rations from day to day. The country in that vicinity offered no supplies whatever, except a few cattle hid in the Cumberland Mountains, and the country east of us had been very thoroughly foraged by the enemy.

Question. Do you know what points in North Alabama and what line of road from there to Nashville were still occupied when you marched to Battle Creek?

I am not positive, but I think the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad was occupied. I think the bridge over Duck River was completed. The railroad from Stevenson to Murfreesborough was occupied. I am not certain whether the railroad from Huntsville to Stevenson was occupied or not. There was a small force there when I left the place.

Question. Do you know whether the abandonment of North Alabama and all points on the railroad leading from there were simultaneous with your movement; or was your movement independent of that, having in view the possession of that country and those lines?

That question I am not prepared to answer. One thing I will say: it was absolutely necessary to abandon that country, whether the enemy came to Middle Tennessee or Kentucky.

Question. Suppose it was my plan to hold Alabama and the line of road from there to Nashville, say Huntsville, Stevenson, and the road thence to Nashville, and supposing also I held McMinnville, please to state what was the importance of Altamount as a point of concentration or as point through which the enemy could advance.