On General SCHOEPF'S requesting permission to make a personal explanation.

The PRESIDENT. I think it would be improper. The answer to the question has not distinctly involved you, and until it is fairly defined that you are involved in an act which may be called out by the answer I think it hardly necessary to make an explanation, and I think an explanation at this point would be immature.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I would remark, Mr. President, that this discussion is entirely out of order.

General TYLER. I move that the court be cleared.

The court was cleared; when it was decided that the question should he answered.

The WITNESS. I think I inquired upon my arrival, either of General Schoepf or General Fry, for both were there before I left their quarters, whether General Schoepf had been arrested or was under arrest. I think General Schoepf himself told me that he had been arrested, but that he was released from arrest, and then the conversation which followed was in reference to the cause of the arrest. Both General Schoepf and General Fry participated in the conversation. I think they told me that General Buell had ridden through the lines and into camp without being challenged, and that he came up to their quarters (whether he came to General Schoepf's or General Fry's quarters I am not sure) very angry indeed, and complained of it as a piece of great carelessness on the part of the commanders that any one should be enabled to ride into headquarters without being challenged by a sentinel. I remember but little more of that conversation. The generals were both excited and I thought a little indignant at General Buell's anger and censure, and laughingly said they would make the sentinels or outposts arrest General Buell if he did not mind how he rode around the lines; that is the impression made on my mind by what they said. I think the general had not come on the road, but through a fence, and had got into the lines without being challenged. I thought it was a sort of indignation that would wear off. I have been as mad as that often myself with my commanding generals and it made no great impression on me. This is the only incident that I remember connected with General Buell's visit to General Schoepf's headquarters.

Question. Are you positive that it was asserted by any officer whom you heard converse upon this subject that I had ridden into camp by any by-road or across any field out of the usual route? If so, what officer made that assertion?

I cannot say that any officer made that assertion, nor am I absolutely positive that the assertion was made. My impression is and my recollection is that some one at that time mentioned it as a fact that General Buell had approached the camp, not by the road, but had gone through a field. I have not conversed with any one since on the subject. My impression is strong that I must have heard it, because I had no idea what road General Buell did approach by. Such a fact I think could not have got into my head unless I had heard it from some one. I cannot name the officer who made this statement nor can I be more positive than I have been.

Question. Has the supposition which you say you entertained at that time been realized, that the irritation caused by that incident would speedily pass away from the minds of those officers or not? You may answer with reference to General Fry.

Since that time I do not remember to have had any conversation with General Schoepf in reference to his arrest or to have had any conversation with him which would have induced me to think otherwise than that the irritation was temporary. With reference to General Fry my impression has been that he was subsequent to that time, perhaps a month subsequent, still unfriendly to General Buell; but whether that impression was formed from a conversation with General Fry, or from incidental remarks that I may have heard him make, or from having heard others say that General Fry was hostile to General Buell, I cannot now distinctly remember; nor can I state that the unfriendly feelings of General Fry for General Buell was in consequence of what occurred when General Buell visited his camp at Pelham, and therefore General Fry's irritation at Pelham may have been, as I supposed originally, only temporary.