precede it. General Buell instructed me to say to General Thomas that he did not propose to attack that evening, but that if he could obtain by advancing he might proceed cautiously to the front. That is the general purport of my instructions, which I communicated to General Thomas.

Question. When you were at General Buell's headquarters did you see or hear anything of a severe battle raging on the left of the army?

While I was going to General Buell's headquarters and while I remained there I heard heavy firing, and I supposed there was an action going on until I reached his headquarters, and was there informed that it was the cavalry under command of Captain Gay and the rebels, with artillery on both sides. I also met General Gilbert, and was told by him in answer to my question that that was the cause of the firing.

Question. At what time was this that the firing made this impression upon you?

I heard the artillery during most of the time that I was making the passage from General Thomas' headquarters to General Buell's, and also while at General Buell's. It was during my trip across the country that my impression was that an action was going on.

Question. Which you say was between 12 and 1 o'clock?

My impression is that I arrived at General Buell's headquarters at about half past 1.

Question. Did you hear any musketry firing while you were there?

No; I did not while I was at General Buell's headquarters.

Question. Or anywhere in that vicinity?

Previously to my starting for General Buell's headquarters I thought I distinguished a volley-fire of musketry on several occasions when the wind was blowing strong, but I do not know; I could not say positively that I did; that was my impression.

Question. At what hour was that?

I should say that was between 11 and 12 o'clock.

Question. When did you first hear that there had been severe fighting on the left?

I think the first intimation I received was about half past six o'clock in the evening; I should say it was after sundown. Lieutenant Fitzhugh came over with a verbal message to General Thomas. I recollect that we were on the way back to the place where we expected to encamp that night; it must have been fully as late as half past 6. I would also state that I did not understand that there had been any general engagement. It was still later, after I had gone to bed, that I heard of the death of General Jackson, and that there had been a general engagement by General McCook's troops.

Question. Have you a pretty clear understanding, from observation or otherwise, of the character of Dick's River for a distance of 12, 14, or 15 miles from its mouth?

I have no personal knowledge of it.

Question. Supposing it to be a stream almost dry, so as to not require bridging at all, with high cliff banks, passable only at once or two points, and supposing yourself in command of an army desiring to retreat over such an obstacle, and that you have high bluffs on the side toward which you wish to retreat commanding the country on the opposite side, and that you have a certain time to get your artillery into position on the opposite side, would you think it a very delicate matter to effect your passage in the face of almost any force?

No; I should not think that the case supposed would be a very difficult operation, the artillery being placed in position to cover the passage of the troops.

Question. Would not the river, in fact, be a security to the retreating forces, instead of an embarrassment?

After the artillery was over I should think it would.