Question. Is it possible or is it probable that any large organized force could have been in and about these railroads from Nashville at that time with General Buell's army situated as it was?

They might have been there for a short time, but could not remain there very long.

Question. Do you not know, general, and was it not supposed at the time, that these depredations upon the railroads were done by the inhabitants in a great measure?

I do not know it, but I believe the inhabitants assisted the guerrilla force when they came into the country, and when an opportunity offered they would act on their own responsibility.

Question. Now, if a general of General Buell's known determined and inflexible character had given notice to those along those roads that he would hold the inhabitants responsible, would those depredations have been committed?

I do not think General Buell's order would have had any effect upon those people or any other general's orders. There is a large idle floating population in these Southern States, and such characters as those would not be governed by any order that General Buell might issue. Just such characters General Mitchel had to deal with on the railroad running from Huntsville to Stevenson. He threatened to burn their villages if they fired upon the trains, and several villages or railroad stations were burned, and yet the trains were fired into afterward.

Question. If you had no other than an idle, irresponsible population to deal with a lesser guard would be necessary to take care of the road, would it not?

I think not; on the contrary, a still larger guard.

Question. Why so?

These men having no habitation, they are here to-day and in another place to-morrow.

Question. If the responsible settled inhabitants along the railroad knew that their property was in danger, would they not be guardians of the railroad property as of their own?

Individuals might be, yet individuals might be overpowered by this idle floating population, who would not be influenced by the opinions of some few of the owners along the railroad.

Question. If the settled owners along the railroad were friends instead of enemies, who would give you information of the approach of these guerrillas and who would assist you in putting them down, your trouble would be less, would it not?

I think so.

Question. You speak of its having been tried by General Pope in Missouri and failed; do you know this of your own knowledge or have you heard it?

I have only heard so from the common reports in the newspapers.

Colonel MILLER (a witness for the defendant), being duly sworn by the judge-advocate, testified as follows:

By General BUELL:

Question. State your name and position in the service, if you please.

My name is J. F. Miller; colonel of the Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers.

Question. Were you on duty in Nashville in the months of July and August and September last?

In the months of July and August I was on duty here, commanding the post.