My opinion is that it was in the range of his power. For such a movement as that I think he would have passed by way of Decherd, from my knowledge of the routes and roads. Whether it would have been within the objects proposed to himself or not is more than I can answer.

Question. State, if you please, the different routes by which the army could emerge from the Sequatchie Valley across the mountains.

Commencing at the most westerly route of the Sequatchie Valley of which I have any knowledge, it would have been possible to have passed a force by the way of Pelham, and from Pelham to Manchester, from Manchester to Woodbury, Murfreesborough, and so on. Then there is a road leading from the Sequatchie Valley, south of Dunlap, direct to Altamont (that is my recollection from the information I got), by which the enemy could have crossed the mountains. There is also a road leading from Dunlap to Altamont; a road also leading from Dunlap directly to McMinnville, crossing the mountains, and then down the valley of Caney Fork to McMinnville. There is also a road leading from Dunlap to Pikeville and from Pikeville to McMinnville, I think passing by way of Spencer. Also by continuing from Pikeville on toward Sparta the enemy could have turned the spur of the mountains and moved westward into the plains of Middle Tennessee. There is also a road, entirely west of any that I have described, leading from Decherd across the mountains to Stevenson.

Question. What is the nature of the ordinary road from Stevenson to Jasper and Battle Creek?

I do not know. I believe I have described all the routes of which I have any recollection, and while I have stated that all these roads were entirely practicable for the enemy, those portions lying in the mountains are not very good roads.

Question. Which of those roads is the most practicable?

Judging from my own knowledge of all the roads across the mountains directly, I consider the road from Dunlap to McMinnville the most practicable one.

Question. Do you know anything of what is called the Therman or Anderson road?

Not of my own knowledge. My information led me to believe that it is not a good road; rather a rough road; but a very good one for carriages.

Question. doest that road pass through Altamont?

No sir; I do not think it does; it passes west of Altamont; but I may be mistaken. From that road it would be practicable to go by way of Altamont.

Question. Is Altamont in the mountains?

Yes, sir; it is.

Question. Describe, if you please, the different roads by which you can pass from Altamont into the plains northwest of the mountains.

There is a road leading from Altamont down the mountains into the plains to Winchester of Decherd. There is a road from Altamont by way of Tracy City and Hawkinsville by way of Decherd. There is another route from Altamont by way of Pelham, which also passes by Hawkinsville. There is a road from Altamont to Hillsborough, and by that way into the plain. There is also a road from Altamount by the way of Hickory Creek to Manchester; a branch leads off from this road to McMinnville; and there is also a road leading from Altamont over into the road leading from dunlap direct of McMinnville. I would say, general. that there are quiet a number of roads from Altamont by which troops could be marched down into the plains.

Question. Is there any one point which would command all those roads which diverged from the Therman or Anderson road?

I think a sufficient force occupying Altamont would be able to command the roads referred to in the question.

Commission adjourned to meet December 16, at 10 a. m.