Their trail was 3 to 5 miles wide, through fields, country roads, and everything. The great object they had in view was to get into the mountains of Big Hill, where they would be safe from pursuit. The position they sought was very strong by nature. The appearance of the country and the statements of citizens who reside at Richmond and between there and Big Hill seem to show that they went off like a flock of sheep every one on his own hook, but that the rear kept in good order.

Question. What roads did they take after leaving Lancaster?

I learned that they took the great to London; thence to Barboursville; thence to Cumberland Gap. It was possible after reaching Barboursville, perhaps, from London that a portion of them went through Big Creek Gap and Rogers' Gap. Those gaps are very good for infantry and light-loaded wagons and very bad for anything else. The main body, however, passed through Cumberland Gap.

Question. Did not a portion of that army go through Lowel by Gum Spring and Valley and Big Hill?

I am unable to say. It is some time since this occurred, and I have had my head so full of other roads, streams, and other details that the particulars have escaped me. The supposition of yours that there were 73,000 - my answer being on the record - it might be inferred that I considered there were 73,000; from this, however, we must deduct for loss from sickness, deserters, battle, and losses at Perryville, and from all I learn these could not be less than from 12,000 to 15,000 men. Kirby Smith left a good many sick in Frankfort and quite a number down on his march. This force, from the time of his entrance into Kentucky to his exit, instead of being augmented, was reduced several thousand. I sent off myself from sick alone some 3,000 or 4,000 that he left at different points.

Question. An army of, say 60,000 men marching upon one road from Harrodsburg to Camp Dick Robinson, would Dick's River be no obstruction had that army been attacked by the Army of the Ohio while crossing?

If the army was attacked while crossing it certainly would be an obstruction, but had this army marching from Harrodsburg a few hours' start and its columns organized it would be a great advantage.

Question. General, please look at the copy of the letter marched A and state to the Commission if you know anything about it.

To the best of my recollection this is a copy of a letter shown me by General Nelson in Louisville some times about the 23rd of September, the date of the letter.

(The letter is read to the Commission.)

Question. Was your advice to form a junction with the Army of the Ohio made previous to the reception of that latter or subsequently?

I am unable positively to state, but I think it was previous; what makes me think so was the little progress we had made in intrenching; we had done very little, and my advice was to drop it and call in the men. The intrenching was carried on very rapidly, but at the time I was advised to make this movement we had done very little. I urged as a further reason that by going on with the work we should only complete the trenches for the enemy's use against ourselves.

Question. Where was the Army of the Ohio, do you recollect, at the time to you made your proposition?

I could not name the point. My calculation was this: leaving Louisville at dark, we would be enabled to reach Elizabethtown, by a forced march, some time late in the next day or night, and that General Buell on the advance of the Army of the Ohio would reach it at about the same time as we would. I do not remember, in fact I do not know, that I knew the names of the camping grounds; it was at such a distance that I deemed it possible and probable that both armies would come into Elizabethtown about the same time and form a junction there.

Question. Had your advice been acted upon, what would have prevented Bragg taking our army in detail, taking your raw recruits first?

The relative position of the three armies - the Army of the Ohio, the Army of Louisville, and Bragg's army - was such as to render it almost impossible, owing to the

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