[CHAP. XXVIII.

into the midst of our forces as well as make his movement as rapid as possible?

Undoubtedly I should think that the enemy would avail himself of every opportunity of that kind; there was every inducement.

Question. From an examination of the map and the position of our troops at that time what route or routes would seem to answer his purpose best for such an object?

I thoughts it not at all unlikely, if General McCook's information was correct and General Bragg was as near to our command as he was reported to be, that he might rush upon our two divisions; but that would have led him out of the way for any grand achievement. I think he took about the only course that was open to him by making his march to Sparta and Gainesborough, or if into Kentucky by Carthage; if his purpose was to go to Kentucky, there was no other way. The roads across the mountains, except the roads he took, were impracticable. General McCook tried to get over the mountains some 6 miles up the valley beyond Jasper, but found it altogether impracticable. It was with the greatest difficulty that he got across the mountains at Battle Creek. It took two days and a part of the night to get up the mountain with our two divisions.

Question. What was to prevent him from moving directly on the Therman road to McMinnville or on the road from Dunlap to McMinnville or on the road from Pikeville to McMinnville?

There is nothing, sir; I see no difficulty; there seems to be a good road. I know nothing of the road directly from Dunlap to McMinnville. There is one from Pikeville through Spencer, across the mountains from Chattanooga, toward Pelham and Hillsborough. I meant to say there was no road that General Bragg could have marched on in that direction except the road he took which is a very difficult one. There is a road from Dunlap to McMinnville and a road from Sparta to McMinnville. From Chattanooga and Harrison's Landing both roads seem to converge to Dunlap.

Question. Suppose the object of the enemy to have been to strike into the midst of our scattered troops and then though to Nashville, would the road by Sparta have been the most direct or the most circuitous?

It would have been the most circuitous. The direct road would have been from Dunlap to McMinnville and through Altamont, if he could have reached that place but that seems to be an impracticable country and out of the way altogether. By the roads marked on the map, from Harrison's Landing to McMinnville and Murfreesborough is almost a direct line.

Question. You judge of the directness of this route by Atlamont by the printed map that is before you?

Yes, sir; I was not on the road at all, and have no knowledge of the roads from Chattanooga to Dunlap and Altamont.

Question. Is your opinion as to the practicability of that road based upon the experience of General McCook in moving from Pelham to Altamont?

It is, sir. It was on that account that the road was considered by me impracticable. General McCook had told me of the difficulty he had in getting through from the broken nature of the country.

Question. Did General McCook ascend the mountain from Pelham to Altamont?

So he told me. I saw him start. I also knew he was ordered to go.

Question. What information did he give you in regard to the practicability of descending the mountain from Altamont?

I do not remember, sir, that he gave me any.

Question. Are you aware that a column of troops under General Negley actually crossed the mountains from Chattanooga on the An-