[CHAP. XXVIII.

Question. Was there anything in the condition of things as they appeared to you to make it necessary to re-enforce General McCook in order to effect this change safely?

There was not. I thought it probable they might be fired upon in withdrawing the guns, but did not think it probable that the enemy would follow.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. You moved down toward Perryville expecting to find the enemy there in force, did you not?

I supposed we were to meet the enemy in force at some place or other, but I did not know whether it would be exactly at Perryville, but supposed it would be near there; as soon as we could overtake them.

Question. Upon what was the expectation founded?

Upon the fact that we knew the enemy were not very far off; their rear guard was often in sight of our advance guard, and there had been several skirmishers between them.

Question. Was it not known that Kirby Smith was moving in the direction of Perryville and that a junction would be formed at or near that place?

I do not know.

Question. What report did you make to General Buell, on returning from a survey of the battle-field, as to what you saw, and what conclusions did you draw?

I do not know that I made any report to General Buell personally. I spoke to Colonel Fry, chief of staff. I reported to him that there was some skirmishing going on and that there seemed to be too much firing of artillery, and that they were evidently wasting their ammunition, as I could see no enemy in large force.

Question. What time of day was that?

About 11 o'clock in the forenoon?

Question. Did that firing continue from the time of your survey up to 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening?

It did not seem to be continuous, but we heard occasional firing of artillery and sometimes quite heavy. I think about 5 o'clock we heard it quite heavy.

Question. Was it continuous between 3 and 5 o'clock?

I do not think we heard it continuously during that time.

Question. Do you mean to say that it was not continuous or that you were so situated that you could not hear it?

I mean to say that we did not hear it. I have understood since that the firing was continuous.

Question. Do you mean to say that the firing on the 8th was as heavy or not heavier than it was on the 7th, only that it was more continuous; that it was of the same character as that on the day before?

No; I mean to say that it sounded where we were not like a severe battle. We did not hear the musketry.

Question. Were you about headquarters all that afternoon?

I think I was there all the time during the afternoon.

Question. Whom did you see there during the afternoon; that is, officers arriving from the direction of the battle-field, or did you see any one?

I do not think I saw one until dark arriving from the battle-field. I then saw Lieutenant Parsons and another officer.