East Tennessee. I meant simply to express the opinion that 25,000 might have held Chattanooga against a force equal to the estimated of the Army of the Ohio, the other positions named being securely held by a sufficient force of Union troops. In the word "remainder," contained in the answer to question, I referred to the number 25,000 stated in the question as being more than sufficient to garrison Nashville under the circumstances presented.

Question. Are we then to understand your answer in this way: that Chattanooga and other points in East Tennessee and on the line of railroad through East Tennessee held by a sufficient force - whatever that might be - and General Grant occupying the position which he held, then 25,000 would be sufficient to make Nashville and other points in the rear of the army secure?

The idea I intended to convey was that the line from Memphis to Decatur being held by General Grant's army after the march of the Army of the Ohio to the north side of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga and the other points mentioned in East Tennessee being held by a sufficient force of Union troops 25,000 men would have been more than sufficient for the garrison of Nashville. I did not refer to the detachments that might have been necessary for guarding the various lines of communication to the rear of the line occupied by our troops.

Question. While you were stationed at Decherd and other points on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad were you exercising an independent command?

I had been placed in command of all the troops stationed to guard that line; likewise the line from Stevenson to Decatur and Decatur to Nashville.

Question. Would this independent command have made it more your duty and have afforded you greater facilities to obtain information of the strength of the enemy than a colonel commanding a regiment or a brigadier-general commanding a brigade under the command of a senior?

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I desire, Mr. President, to call your attention to this mode of examination as being very objectionable. A leading question is asked by General Buell that I did not object to at all, "Had you an independent command?" and General Smith answers it in such a manner as to leave us in doubt whether his was in independent command or not. General Buell assumes it was and independent command, and then proceeds with the examination. It is very easy for an intelligence witness like General Smith to give a direct answer - yes or no.

General BUELL. I was satisfied, because I thought the explanation of his command implied its independence. I wish him to be as definite as possible, and I will thank the witness to make it more definite if he can.

It was an independent command.

By General BUELL:

Question. It will be permissible now, I suppose, for the witness to answer the last question.

It would, unless such colonel or brigadier-general should be thrown to the front and so detached, in which case his facilities might have been as great as my own for procuring information such as that referred to.

Question. Suppose when the army concentrated at Murfreesborough the rebel army had thrown itself down upon the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, would that railroad, in working order, have been of advantage to the rebel force?

It would the moment they could either transfer the rolling from the other side of the river or build any temporary over the river, which would have enabled them to run through from Chattanooga; otherwise it would hot have been