Question. Had General Buell's army taken up the position before spoken of would it have held Bragg under the necessity of either giving him battle in the vicinity of Sparta or of retreating by the line by which he came?

Yes, sir.

Question. Could he not have gone by any other road?

He would have been compelled to cross so as to reach Kentucky by the way of Pikeville to obtain supplies; if he crossed the Cumberland farther east he would have been unable to sustain his army.

Question. Could General Bragg have avoided General Buell at Sparta and continued on his march?

I think not, with success.

Question. Please state to the Commission how you obtained the information that Governor Harris' plan of taking Nashville was not modified until after Bragg's army reached Sparta.

By having a person present at an interview between Governor Harris, Breckinridge, and Ex-Governor Foote, General Forrest, and Andrew Ewing.

Question. At what date did you first consider it certain that Bragg would not take Nashville?

Not until I heard he was near Rome.

Redirect examination:

Question. What is the distance from Dunlap to Sparta?

I think it is 40 miles; but I am not positive of the exact distance.

Question. How far is it from Dunlap to McMinnville?

By the nearest road I should judge it was about 40 miles.

Question. Do you know how far it is from McMinnville before you strike the mountain in going over to Dunlap?

About 10 or 12 miles.

Question. Is it a productive region about there?

No, sir; not until you come into the neighborhood of McMinnville.

Question. How far does this productive region extend toward Dunlap?

Not more than 8 or 10 miles.

Question. Is Sparta in the mountains or on the ridge of the mountains?

It is on the northern slope of the mountains.

Question. What is the character of the country between Dunlap and Sparta?

Very thinly settled; very little cultivated.

Question. Is it like the mountain region on the road from Dunlap across to McMinnville?

It is similar to it till you get near Sparta.

Question. You say Sparta is on the slope of the mountains; how close to Sparta do you get before you come to the productive region in that direction?

I understand, sir, not until you approach within 10 or 12 miles of Sparta.

Question. Would not that take you on the mountains 10 or 12 miles from Sparta?

Yes, sir; those slopes are all cultivated; they form parts of the Cove, and are all cultivated.