Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Was the firing that you heard during the day of the 8th of such a character as to indicate a cavalry reconnaissance and would you suppose it to be such if you had not been told so?

No, I should not; it was much heavier than was necessary, in my opinion, for a cavalry reconnaissance.

By General DANA:

Question. When you met General Gilbert on your way to the headquarters of General Buell where was he and how was he occupied?

He was just ridding out of the headquarters of General Buell.

Question. Did he state where he got his information of the firing of which he gave an account?

No, he did not; he simply told me that it was Captain Gay operating upon the rebels.

Question. Do you know whether he carried that information to General Buell's headquarters himself?

I do not.

By General TYLER:

Question. Who told you at General Buell's headquarters that it was the cavalry under Captain Gay, with artillery, that was engaged with the rebels?

Colonel Fry, I think. The conversation was in General Buell's tent.

Question. What opinion did you entertain when you arrived at headquarters of the nature of the action going on?

Before I arrived at headquarters I had no knowledge of the remaining disposition of the corps. My impression was that it was a sharp action going on on the left.

Question. Supposing a river with high bluffs and little water, with only one or two practicable routes to pass it, had to be passed by a retreating army of, say, 40,000 men, with artillery, baggage, &c., with a superior army of, say, 50,000 men in their front, what would be the fate of the rear of the retreating army if it should be vigorously attacked?

I cannot tell.

Question. What change do you think it would have of passing over passages such as those described and under the circumstances stated in the previous question?

There are so many circumstances entering into an operation of that kind one can hardly give an opinion on the supposed case; but I should say that, supposing the troops to be equal on both sides and the commanders equally able, the retreating force labored under a disadvantage; but if he effected the crossing of the stream at all he would be able to cover his rear by the batteries established on the opposite side.

Question. How long a line would a retreating army of 40,000 men occupy, supposing it was operating or retreating on two roads?

A great deal would depend on the character of the roads and the country. I should suppose that on ordinary turnpikes a column of 15,000 men, properly closed up, would not occupy more than 5 or 6 miles, with their trains; they ought not to.

Question. At what distance would these batteries established on the opposite side of the river cover these troops?

With the field batteries in general use now, from three-quarters to one mile; with rifled guns, still farther than that.