during the month of August last, but what part of the month I do not distinctly remember.

Question. Have you any recollection that during that time information was received of the advance of the rebel forces from Chattanooga and other points? If so, please state what that information was, as far as you recollect it, and what movements were ordered in anticipation of it by the commander of the Army of the Ohio.

Information was received that General Bragg was concentrating a large force at Chattanooga, a force also at Kingston, and a small force below Chattanooga, on the Tennessee River, intending to cross the Tennessee River and the mountains lying between the Tennessee River and our position in Middle Tennessee. That force was variously estimated at from 40,000 to 100,000. It was understood that one hundred and twenty regiments had crossed or were about to cross the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. In consequence of that information the troops of the Army of the Ohio were ordered from Northern Alabama and several positions in Middle Tennessee in the direction of Decherd, Tullahoma, and McMinnville. Of the movements that were made farther back I know nothing. A force was afterward sent to Altamont and a small force was at Cowan.

Question. Can you state about the date of the orders for the concentration at Altamont?

No, sir; I cannot.

Question. Do you remember such orders distinctly?

I do.

Question. Can you state whether the information upon which those orders were issued appeared to make it certain that the enemy was advancing by way of Altamont and that he would arrive at that point very speedily?

I cannot say that they information rendered that certain. So far as the information reached me, I can only say that it was the general impression that that was their first objective point. It seemed to me that it was in his power to advance by that line or by one of several others leading through the mountains. It was a general impression that at least a portion of his force would certainly come that way.

Question. Was there anything in the information received about that time which indicated any other as the road by which he was to be expected to pass into Middle Tennessee?

There was information received, which was deemed reliable, that a force was advancing upon the Therman road, but I think that that information was later. I do not think any information had reached us of any movements farther north than the Altamont road; none certainly reached me.

Question. Do you understand the Therman road to be, for a considerable distance from the Sequatchie Valley, the same as the road leading to Altamont?

Yes, sir. I do.

Question. Do you remember the distance from Altamont at which the road forks, the Therman road going to the right to McMinnville and the other fork going to Altamont?

No, sir. I do not.

Question. Is your information with regard to the geography of that country sufficient to enable you to explain what made Altamont an important point for concentrating the Army of the Ohio in anticipation of the advance of Bragg's army by the Therman road?

The only information I posses in regard to the geography of the country is gained from maps of that region and conversations with the inhabitants of that part of the country, and the impression in my mind made by such knowledge was that it commanded at least two of the best routes through the mountains that were known;