land between McMinnville and Altamont, at the foot of the mountain, is pretty generally cultivated in what might be called the valleys, but produces comparatively little. Between McMinnville and Murfreesborough the country is not so good until you reach near murfreesborough. To the north and east of McMinnville the country is hilly and broken, and you might almost call it a sterile country. I do not think they produce at the outside more than four or five barrels of corn to the acre from their land in their best seasons, whereas our best land in Kentucky produces from fifteen to twenty-five barrels to the acre.

Question. Describe the topography of the country about McMinnville, as far as you are acquainted with it.

To describe the part over which I went first, as you of from McMinnville toward Altamont, the country, till you reach the foot of the mountains, may be called a level country; there are very few, and those small, hills. To the northwest, toward Murfreesborough, the country is somewhat broken, but comparatively level. I have already said that on the northeast it is hilly and broken, and directly to the east it is a mountainous country and the knobs come to within two or there miles of McMinnville. There is a stream of water running by the town. I do not remember the name of it. When I was there it was a season of brought, but there was some running water in this stream, abundant for our men and stock. I think the mountain knob spoken of to the east of McMinnville is about two or three miles from the limits of the town. The roads about McMinnville are generally good; the one toward, I think, Manchester - at all events to is the one we went on toward Altamont - is sa fine open road, and the one toward Murfreesborough is a good road. The road leading toward Smithfield is also a good road near the town. I have never been out far up that road.

Question. What is the character if this stream you speak of as passing near the town?

It is what might be called a large creek or small river. It is dammed at the town for mill purposes. It is clear, nice water. It is not deep; it may be forded except in the dam, and even across the dam I have forded it. In visiting the pickets and outposts I have ridden across the river at any point where I struck it; the water was not higher to my horse's knees when I forded it.

Question. Is there anything in the topography of that country that would make it necessary for an army coming across the mountains from the south to pass through that particular point? Could it be avoided on either side at the option of the advancing army?

The country is open enough for an army to pass and avoid the town; it is not necessary that they should go through it. I do not know the state of the roads except those leading into the town.

Question. Do you know anything of the country about Sparta?

I have no personal knowledge of it.

Question. Please look at this order (General Orders, Numbers 13a) and state whether you recognize it as embodying the policy which was to be adopted by the troops under my command toward the people of the country in which we were operating.

Yes, sir; that is the order of which I received a copy, and I was governed by it.

Question. Was it the practice in that order to treat all persons alike, loyal and disloyal?

It was not my practice, sir. I made a great distinction between loyal and disloyal persons. The loyal persons I treated with every consideration and kindness. Disloyal ones, who were stirring up the people by denouncing our Government, in some instances I sent them through our lines to the Southern Confederacy, in other instances I put them under heavy bonds, and in some instances I compelled them to take the oath or go to prison. I did not make a distinction between citizens upon mere questions of sentiment. The distinction was made from their course of conduct and conversation.

Question. State what the effect of that policy was, colonel, upon the temper of the people, as far as your observation extended. State anything you know in illustration.