Question. Do you know anything of the construction of works of works at Stevenson for the protection of a depot of supples for the army?

Yes, sir.

Question. Did you understand that depot was with a view to advance the army?

Yes, sir, I so understood it; for the purpose of protecting the supplies.

Question. State, if you please, colonel, of what value the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was to the Army of the Ohio as a means of supplying it; that is, west of Decatur.

The Memphis and Charleston Railroad from Decatur to Huntsville and from there to Stevenson was of incalculable advantage to the army as a means of transportation. It was the only possible means except by land carriage.

Question. State whether that portion west of Decatur was of any value to the army.

I think not, sir.

Question. State its condition with regard to rolling stock from Decatur west.

It was very poorly supplied with stock. When I first went there were a number of engines that could have been made available by a small amount of work.

Question. Do you know whether those engines were used or any serviceable amount of rolling stock was put in use between Corinth and Decatur?

I think not, sir; the road was very poorly managed; that was my impression at the time. I know I was three days making the trip from Decatur to Corinth.

Question. Who had the control of that road?

General J. B. McPherson. I was desired to report to him while constructing the bridges there. I think he was styled military superintendent.

Question. Was it under my immediate control in any manner?

I think not, sir. I should have had control if it had been.

Question. Did you go directly from the work on that road to the work which you have described in your previous answer?

Yes, sir; in less than twenty-four hours from my arrival in Hunstville, when I was ordered with a detachment of my regiment on to the Tennessee and Alabama road.

Question. Explain, if you please, how and when you were employed on the Louisville and Nashville road.

It was on the 25th of August I commenced building what is called Therman Cove Creek Bridge and completed it as soon as possible; it is a bridge 300 feet long, 64 feet high, and a very difficult bridge to construct on account of the quicksand foundation. I then proceeded to the Pilot Knob Bridge; that is a bridge 350 feet long and 20 feet high; and then to the Alexander Creek Bridge, which is a bridge about the same size as Pilot Knob Bridge. I was engaged upon that when we had orders to march to Kentucky. That was about the 7th or 10th of September.

Question. Were hired workmen employed on the road at any point about that time?

I think not, sir. I understood they were getting out some timber for these bridges, but at the time I was working at Pilot Knob Bridge there were parties working at Saundersville. I think there were parties working beyond the tunnel, at Gallatin, but they did not come under my observation.

Question. Will you state what the condition of that road was at that time as a means of transportation for the army and what was the cause of its condition?

I consider the road was perfectly useless from Gallatin to this point from my own