I never knew anything at all about it. I used to inquire about my friend Nelson. I was delighted when I heard be had recovered from his wound; but I knew nothing but that General Nelson was in command and had 100,000 men. That was the news conversation with General Buell from the time we left Dripping Springs will till we got to Louisville.

By General BUELL:

Question. The judge-advocate has inquired whether if Munfordville had been made secure I could not have thrown my army upon the line of communication of the enemy. I should like you to state if Bragg had any line of communication on which his safety depended.

I do not think he had. General Buell would then have been free to have marched after Bragg as long as rations lasted.

Question. In order that that should have been the case, would it not have been necessary that Louisville should be secured?

Yes, sir; I think Louisville was the most important place; it was our base of supplies.

Question. How many divisions were yet in the rear when you arrived at Louisville?

Thomas' and Mitchell's division were in the rear.

General SCHOEPF. What do you know of the dissatisfaction of the officers and men and the petition sent with respect to the removal of General Buell after the battle of Perryville?

I was informed while on the march from Danville to Lebanon that there was such a paper in existence in General Gilbert's corps. Who was the originator of it I do not know. I never saw the paper. The first development of this feeling of dissatisfaction I discovered on the march from Nashville to Louisville. They complained of being marched to death and of being half fed. Another cause of this dissatisfaction was that General Buell was always very much engaged in his quarters and did not go around among, his soldiers much. I have frequently felt that had be visited his camps more, reviewed his troops more, and shown himself more to his soldiers a different state of feeling would have existed. I always had confidence in General Buell as a general, and, thank God, I have yet.

By General BUELL:

Question. Do you know the names of the signers of the paper referred to?

I had a conversation with one of them outside the door here a few moments ago. I asked him about it, as to whether he ever heard of such a meeting of officers in the army wishing to depose General Buell and put General Thomas in command, and in this conversation with General Steedman he said he had signed a paper and had presided at a meeting of officers requesting the President to remove General Buell. I think General Steedman has confidence in General Buell, but was influenced by the junior officers and men in his command.

Question. Where was that meeting held?

I did not know, but somewhere on the Rolling Fork. I knew nothing for certain, but believe it was so. It was subsequent to the battle of Perryville; but their feeling was more particularly directed against General Gilbert.

Question. Did the paper state any reason?

I never saw the paper. It was merely mentioned on the way down, but it was by officers I had no control over. I knew of no other officers that signed it. General Steedman said it was a respectful petition to the President of the United States. He thought it the most direct road to the President.

Question. Did you ever hear of any similar proceedings on the part of officers of General Thomas' division, particularly in reference to their commanders?