[CHAP. XXVIII.

with the movements of the rebel army, and who told me they had conversed with citizens and with officers of the rebel army.

Question. Did that opinion have reference to the movements of the army under General Bragg or to those of the army under Kirby Smith?

It had reference to the movements of the army under General Bragg. When I be came thoroughly satisfies that Bragg was moving toward Kentucky, Kirby Smith was already there with his army.

Question. What time?

I cannot specify the day of the month, but it was some time in the month of August.

Question. It was after the time, however, when you were first satisfied that an invasion of Kentucky would be made?

Yes, sir; it was.

Question. Was this opinion of such a character as to admit of no doubt?

I thought so, sir, and it turned out correct.

Question. Was it equally convincing to others as to yourself?

I believed it was universally believed that Bragg was moving toward Kentucky with the view of invading it.

Question. Did you believe that he had no intermediate object in the movement, particularly the capture of Nashville?

That idea was held out by some, and it may have been his purpose to have attacked Nashville; but from the direction in which his army went I did not believe myself that he contemplated any attack upon Nashville, knowing that he could do our army here as much injury by getting in its rear as he could by taking Nashville, and if his object in going to Kentucky would have been secured he would have gained more than by taking Nashville.

Question. In what way could he have derived advantage from getting into the rear of the Army of the Ohio in Kentucky?

He would have cut them off entirely from all supplies, and have had more and better opportunities of securing Kentucky to the rebel cause.

Question. Did you in your mind trace the route he would pursue in this invasion?

I traced it from information I received from others as to the direction in which he was going.

Question. I mean before the route was actually known by his own movements.

I cannot say that I traced it exactly and had to be governed by information received from others as to the route he intended to take, but knew that there were routes by which he could very safely pass into Kentucky.

Question. What course would you have adopted in order to thwart him; and I ask, first, did you at the time form any definite plan with reference to it?

I thought we ought, under all the circumstances, to have attacked him at some point before he reached the Cumberland River, but now knowing well the geography of the country did not select any particular spot myself at which he ought to have been attacked. I gathered from well-informed officers that Sparta-I think that was the place-was the point at which he might easily have been attacked and driven back.

Question. From what officers did you get this information?

My impression now is that General Thomas gave it as his opinion that that was the point at which he might have been successfully attacked, though I would not say certainly that this was the point, but some point was designated.