maneuvering adroitly I believe it was possible for him to have passed out not far from Lebanon Junction, perhaps taking Saloma and Campbellsville. At that season of the year, although they are dirt roads, most of them are tolerably good. He might even have gone out by the New Haven turnpike, he occupying a central position, in case the Army of the Ohio had been thrown farther to the right flank into the mountains and hills to his rear and left. The best there road in the country were then in his possession. Had he come into Kentucky, however, and made a stand I regarded his destruction as certain.

Question. Did the previous arrival of Kirby Smith in Kentucky very much simplify and facilitate the subsequent movement of the rebel army under Bragg into the State, giving him in fact the advantages of two bases, the one from which he started and the one at the point of destination?

Yes, sir; if facilitated him in more ways than one. In the first place, Kirby Smith held at bay all the forces that were concentrated here, preventing them from taking up a position on the verge of the blue-grass region or of uniting with or re-enforcing the Army of the Ohio. In the second place, Smith's army had already provided and placed in depot large supplies for Bragg's army on its arrival and was enabled to guard and keep them safe. The cavalry also of Smith's force destroyed and broke up a good of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at the time of his entrance into the State. Had Smith's forces not preceded the advance of Bragg it would have been possible for us, with perhaps 35,000 to 45,000 men then concentrating in Kentucky, to have taken upon a strong position below the fertile portions of the State, where supplies could be obtained, in a mountainous district, well adapted for defense, and might perhaps have held Bragg's advance till his forces were either half starved or till such time as General Buell could fall upon his rear. I do not believe that Bragg would have moved into Kentucky if Kirby Smith had not reached the State some weeks in advance. I do not think it would have been possible; at least it would have been one of the most fool-hardy and destructive movements he could have made. The movement of Smith, further, forced the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, making the route through it a safe one for his retreat.

Question. Have you studied the military topography of the country on either side of Dick's River and between Dick's River and the Kentucky River? And, if so, please describe the character of Dick's River and the Kentucky River and the ground on either side.

I have some knowledge of it, sir. Dick's River is a small river, running nearly north, emptying into the Kentucky River about 40 miles above Frankfort. The stream is much like a gash through the country, with ragged, rough, precipitous banks, and the country extending back from it from 1 to 1 1/2 miles is almost of an impracticable nature. There are only three crossings over it that I recollect. The lower crossing is one a line of road running from Harrodsburg through Dicksville and Bryantsville, crossing this stream between Bryantsville and Dicksville. The next crossing, ascending it, is what is known as the Danville and Lancaster Crossing. There is a crossing a little higher up, the name of which I have forgotten. The country after crossing Dick's River at the Harrodsburg crossing, and between there and the Kentucky River, is very rough, hilly, and full of ravines. There is some plateau land where Camp Dick Robinson was located. The only water that I recollect there is at Bryantsville, where there is a well or spring, but it is bad water, and obtained from Dick's River, I believe.

Question. Does that stream afford very safe protection to one army against an opposing army on the opposite side?

Very strong on both sides; it is much stronger on the right bank than on the opposite side. It would be almost impossible to dislodge an army taking a position there, owing to the difficulty of crossing the stream. The bluffs and points where batteries could be planted would sweep the opposite approaches, and in high water it would be impassable. The river is subject to great rises during freshest of from 30 to 40 feet.

Question. With a stream like that of Dick's River, impassable except at very few points, as you have described it, and not requiring to be bridged on account of the water, is it in reality a hinderance to a retreating army or is it a protection and advantage to that army; that is, to an army in condition to maneuver and fight when necessary?

28 R R-VOL XVI