General Buell indicated in the map the line he wished to take up, and in order to successfully occupy that line it was necessary to drive the rebel cavalry from between two roads and beyond the line that he wished to take up. This, I suppose, was the object of my going there in advance-to render the road safe for the transportation of supplies. There was at the time I started out a break in that road of about 50 miles by the destruction of bridges, which the mechanics were then employed in repairing. On my arrival at Reynolds' Station I found the cavalry posted along the railroad for its protection at bridges and to guard the wagon trains with provisions. The gathering up of these detachments required the two dyas' delay referred to in the testimony.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. What number of men would it require between Bowling Green and Nashville to protect it, supposing the inhabitants to be disaffected along the line of railroad?

Fifty-thousand men.

Question. An attempt, then, to guard the railroad under those circumstances is simply an absurdity?

No, I do not think it is. I can take 50,000 and guard it perfectly, according to my opinion, though I cannot operate outside the railroad. My operations must be confined to it alone.

Question. Would the road then do more than supply the army you had to guard it?

That would depend upon the quantity of rolling stock on that road.

Question. Were these depredations to be feared from the inhabitants alone or from the inhabitants assisted by a few guerrillas, and is there no other mode of protecting the road?

I know of no other.

Question. What would be the effect of a notice to the inhabitants along that road that the country would be laid waste on either side if they interfered with it?

Many of the persons who depredated upon these railroads have no interest in the property lying contiguous to it, and a threat of that kind would have no effect upon them. That plan has been pursued in Missouri and was unsuccessful there.

Question. Was the threat in Missouri carried out where it was made?

I am not prepared to say, but I think it was, part of the time, under General Pope, in his early operations in Missouri.

Question. Do you know of that mode of protecting railroad and telegraph lines having been adopted in Virginia?

I do not.

Question. At the time you speak of, when you were sent to take command of the cavalry, was there a force in and about that region of country you speak of?

It was variously estimated. General Buell exhibited to me some dispatches he received, I think from General Negley, in which General Negley stated that 500 rebel cavalry were then marching on Pulaski. General Buell told me, to prevent the possibility of that detachment taking a train which was to have left that day, that he had telegraphed for the train not to start till it was ascertained whether the force was there along the road at different points. I found the officers in command of detachments variously estimated that force, and some I believe that the whole or a great portion of the rebel army was there.

Question. Five hundred, then, is the largest body you know of?

In answer to a previous question I stated it was variously estimated; 500 were reported by General Negley, but of their actual existence I have reason to doubt. The officers and people along the line thought that that force was there.