[CHAP. XXVIII.

reference to them that would have justified him in admonishing or rebuking them?

He was not the commander of the First Division; it was not in his corps; but I suppose, being a superior officer, he would have the right, if we were guilty of any violation of military etiquette, to admonish or rebuke us.

Question. Was not the visit rather a social and complimentary one, though having for its object that which the witness has stated?

The visit was not intended merely as a social visit; it might be in one sense a complimentary one. We went to General Buell believing that he would give us such aid and such advice in the premises as were necessary, and he gave us the advice, according to my recollection, stated in a previous answer.

Question. Did he not decline to apply for a transfer of the division to his command, while at the same time expressing himself much gratified that they should desire to return to it?

He did decline to use his influence to have us transferred to his command, but gave us all the advice we wanted in regard to the particular object of our visit.

Question. Did he not advise you delicately, but as pointedly as would be becoming under the circumstances, that as far as your proceeding had for its object the removal of your commander it was improper; that the same course might with equal propriety be pursued by your subordinates in reference to any and all of you; and in parting with you personally did he not say to you that he would be very much gratified to have you back again, but that you must not, as he expressed himself pleasantly, be insubordinate?

He did express a desire to have us back in his command, and warned us not to be insubordinate, and told us that our manner of proceeding, he thought, was a little improper, and that subordinate officers might act in the same way toward us; but, as I have before stated, advised us as to the proper mode of getting our removal. We assured General Buell that there was no disposition on the part of any of us to be at all insubordinate; that what we did or what we should do in the premises should be done in the most respectful and officerlike manner.

Question. Have you ever of your own accord given protection to the property of citizens in the vicinity of your command and without troubling yourself about inquiring as to whether they were loyal or disloyal?

I have scarcely ever been called upon by citizens for protection until my arrival at Gallatin. I there, under the direction of General Thomas, gave protection to citizens, both loyal and disloyal; but in most instances it was done when we had taken from them all the forage and such other articles as were necessary for us, leaving only enough for the support of the family and stock during the winter. In some few instances I may have given protection when the parties had been foraged upon to the extend authorized.

Question. Will you please state, general, who they were who proposed to depose General Buell from his command and from whom you acquired the information in regard to such a purpose?

I do not know who they were, sir; I had nothing to do with it.

Question. Can you not remember the names of those who mentioned it to you?

No, sir.

Question. Whom did General Steedman complain of as having prevented him from going into action on the evening of the 8th, after he was detached from his division?

I do not recollect that he named any particular person.

Question. In your answer to the question by the judge-advocate did you mean to convey the idea that General Thomas and General Crit-