Question. Major, were the inhabitants along the road of such a character as that between Bowling Green and Nashville at the time you mention? Is it possible for any amount of men to keep a road open by being stationed along it to repel attacks?

It is not absolutely possible.

Question. Would not that road have been protected between Bowling Green and Nashville under those circumstances if the inhabitants had been notified that for every interruption their country would be laid waste right and left?

That question involves so many considerations that I do not know how I can answer it categorically. It is not possible to decide what effect the declaration of such a policy would have throughout the State of Kentucky.

Question. Would it preserve the road?

I think it would have a conservative effect on the road.

Question. Do you not know of railroad lines and telegraph lines being preserved through disaffected regions in that way?

I have heard of the operations of the policy in Missouri.

By General TYLER:

Question. Did you not state in your testimony that the garrison of Nashville would require 20,000 men; would you regard 17,000 or 20,000 men necessary for the protection of Nashville against the guerrilla parties?

No, sir.

Question. Was Nashville at the time this garrison was left here threatened by anything but guerrilla parties and small bodies of cavalry?

We heard on several different occasions of the concentration of troops in the vicinity south; we heard also of the possible arrival of the army defeated at Corinth; and probably on two or three occasions we received information from the inhabitants which indicated the coming of regular forces.

Question. Did these rumors prove true or false; was there ever any large concentration of forces against Nashville?

I think there was never a positive concentration until it began to gather a short time before the arrival of General Rosecrans' army. I presume the beginning of that force was there a long time since. They had a general meeting at Murfreesborough, in which there were very strong persuasions used by Governor Harris with reference to the collection of forces there to attack Nashville and without a word of difference of opinion existing in regard to that subject.

Redirect examination by General BUELL:

Question. Is there any difference in the character of the military operations in Missouri and those of the Army of the Cumberland now?

I think there is, consisting of this, that in Missouri the object seemed to be to keep the State itself in a loyal condition as nearly as practicable, to suppress treasonable acts, and bring the State back to a tranquil condition; whereas here the object is the movement of a large army for strategic purposes.

Question. Is there any more effective way that you know of certain of counteracting the objects of this large army than by operating on its communications?

I know of no better way.

Question. Suppose the country on either side the railway should be laid waste by fire and sword, do you think it would be less an object with the enemy to destroy the road and interrupt communication by it?

I do not think it would be less an object; but I think it would interfere with the