Question. Would not all of these have amounted to more than 4,000, or were some of these beyond the limits stated in the question.

I might say that my number perhaps was low, but they were beyond the limits. There was Colonel Turchin's brigade in the other direction. The troops were constantly moving up and down from east to west upon that road, sometimes more and sometimes less-moving from Decatur or Athens particularly, up and down the road, as they were required. At one time Turchin's brigade was at one end of the road and at the other. I cannot now state about what time that was. I know one time that entire brigade was moved to a point north of Bridgeport; I think it was somewhere near La Vergne, in that direction, where they fought-I think at Winchester. General Negley had command of the expedition and drove the rebels back, but our troops were a good deal scattered.

Question. You mentioned to me the other day that you had by accident laid your hand upon a dispatch which exemplified the scarcity of supplies and the difficulty in procuring them. Have you it with you, captain?

I have. In looking over some of my old papers I found this dispatch a few days ago. I was searching for some other papers though:

"BATLE CREEK, July 4, 1862.

"General BUELL:

"There is no forage here and narrations; everything is on short allowance. I have telegraphed and written, but could get nothing. Have no instructions in case of an attack. Enemy's pickets on the opposite side of the river. Sent General Mitchell official communication yesterday explaining everything. Refer you to it, as also to dispatches to-day.

"JOHN C. STARKWEATHER,

"Colonel First Wisconsin InfantryJanuary

This is indorsed on the back to General Smith:

"See to supplies at once. have you received the communication of yesterday and the dispatch of to-day? Look into the matter.

"D. C. BJanuary

Another indorsement:

Captain Slocum to Captain Paul.

"Attend with all diligence to the within matter, and report to me forthwith what you have done.

"WM. S. SMITH.

"Brigadier-General, Third DivisionJanuary

Question. Did this scarcity in this case occur under General Mitchell's administration?

It did. I suppose at the very time that dispatch was sent General Mitchell was relieved from the command, which accounts for its being indorsed by General Smith.

Question. On what day did general Mitchell leave his command?

I think on the 2nd of July or thereabouts.

Question. Without reference to the i convenience which the people of the country complained of on account of having their supplies taken from them for the use of the army, did they complain of abuses and wrongs practiced upon them by the parties engaged in collecting or pretending to be acting under authority for that object?

Not that I am aware of. I have suffered a great deal of abuse myself from these paries because they thought I was the responsible person, but I am not aware that the paries sent for the supplies inflicted any abuse upon them.

Question. "Abuse" is not perhaps the best word to use in the question. I do not refer to abusive language; injury might he a more ap