Question. How did you find the country between Huntsville and Battle Creek in regard to supplies both of forage and provisions?

Scarcely anything; very poor.

Question. Do you remember anything about the orders that were given when the army was leaving Corinth for reducing the amount of baggage as much as possible and can you state about the substance of these orders?

My recollection is that when I left Corinth I did not know that we were going farther than Baldwyn. I do not think that I took all of my wagons; they were sent back. If my memory serves me, I was at Booneville when I received the order; I cannot remember the substance of it, except that it was to reduce the baggage as much as possible; but how many wagons were allowed and what the order was I do not now remember.

Question. Do you remember that orders were given reducing the allowance of tents and requiring the soldiers to turn over their overcoats and other surplus clothing? Do you know whether that order was executed; what disposition was made of this surplus?

I remember the order in reference to the overcoats and the order about the allowance of tents. My recollection is that the overcoats and tents were to be turned over at Iuka, but I cannot be positive.

Question. About what force was there at Battle Creek at the time of you arrival there till you left and how was that force composed-of what divisions or parts of divisions?

The force was composed of my own division, which numbered about 3,000 men, and a brigade under General Hascall which I found there. I do not certainly know what was the strength of that brigade; they had a battery; I think they had 1,500 men. Most of that brigade was ordered away when General McCook came up. General McCook's force, on its arrival, I understood to be about 6,000 men. Our entire force there was about 9,000 men, and this continued there till we left.

Question. Had you instructions to inform yourself by all possible means of the strength and movements of the enemy while you were in command there and did you exert yourself in that way?

I was ordered to use every possible exertion to obtain information and to spare no expense in order to obtain it. I employed at once on my arrival there several men who were vouched for as trusty at considerable expense, and kept them going all the time. It was exceedingly difficult to get any reliable information there. The rebels occupied the bank of the river immediately opposite our camp; they were in sight every day and the men were very much afraid to go. We, however, got a man to go within a few miles of Chattanooga, who brought a message from a man who lived in that place.

Question. Do you remember that information now?

I cannot say that I remember it at all. I know that he mentioned that troops were at Chattanooga. I sent the information immediately to headquarters, as I did all information I received there; but I do not remember now what it was. It occurred about the middle of July and before we heard much about the movements of the rebel army; it was not fastened in my memory, as it would have been afterwards when events became more interesting.

Question. Was General McCook there at the time this information was reported?

I am not sure whether General McCook was there or not; he possibly reached there the very day my messenger returned. It is also possible I might have given the information to General McCook instead of sending it to General Buell, General McCook having taken command there.

Question. Do you know of General McCook's reporting to headquarters information which had been derived through your scouts or agents and which you probably reported yourself also?

I believe that that is the fact, sir. I have some recollection of General McCook's