[CHAP. XXVIII.

left on the 8th of October, were you or were you not in expectation that the enemy would be found in our front and that a battle would ensue the next morning?

I expected a battle the next morning, because I received an order, which I have in my pocket now, from General Thomas, dated at General Buell's headquarters in which he orders me to have my command ready to attack at daylight. I have also a note from Colonel Fry, inquiring, on the morning of the 9th, what delayed my attack. I heard nothing of the enemy's leaving Perryville, and from these orders had no doubt they were there.

Question. Did you witness any of the movements of the enemy or did you have knowledge in any way of these movements such as to give you a different expectation if such orders had not been received from headquarters?

I certainly witnessed no movements of the enemy, nor was there any circumstance to produce the impression on my mind that the enemy intended to leave Perryville that morning or that they had left the night before. I knew nothing of Perryville I had no judgment as to the eligibility of that place for the enemy to make a stand and fight a battle, but my impression was that as they had stopped there, had selected the place, and had actually fought there, they intended sill to fight there. That was the only ground that I had for such an opinion.

Question. Have you with the dispatches from headquarters of which you make mention?

I have, sir. These are the dispatches to which I refer as received from General Thomas and Colonel Fry. The one from General Thomas was received by me after night of the 8th. I cannot fix the hour:

"(Official.)

GENERAL BUELL'S HEADQUARTERS.

To General CRITTENDEN:

Have your different divisions ready to attack at daylight. Issue orders at once.

General THOMAS,

"By Captain CASE,"

"Signal OfficerJanuary

The dispatch from Colonel Fry reads as follows:

"General CRITTENDEN:

"Have you commenced the advance? What delayed your attack?

"JAMES B. FRY,

"ColonelJanuary

It is difficult on the field to remember the hour, but my impression is this was not received till 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning. I had ordered my command to be ready for the attack at daylight. I had taken my position in rear of the center of my command, ready to execute General Thomas' orders, which you will notice is to be ready for the attack, but I never received any order to attack. After waiting a long time, till after 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning-I am not sure whether it was after receiving this dispatch from Colonel Fry or not-I rode to General Thomas, and about that time we commenced the advance.

General BUELL, I propose to introduce those dispatches.

OCTOBER 8-8.30 p.m.

GENERAL: The First Corps (McCook's) on our left has been very heavily engaged. The left center of this corps gained ground, but the right of it yielded a little. Press your lines forward as far as possible to-night and get into position to make a vigorous attack in the morning at daylight. If you have got your troops into a position which you deem advantageous it will not be desirable to make a change for the purpose of complying with the general's instructions for you sent by Captain Mack. It may be as well to halt the division ordered to the center and let it wait where it is for fur-