their strength is that they take no report of the alterations that occur, and in the new regiments more frequently than in the old ones. The officers of the new regiments do not fully appreciate the importance of having accurate reports, and frequently, to save time and trouble, would merely make a copy of their old report from day to day.

Question. Did not the difficulty with the new troops that you received at Louisville originate from the fact that many companies and some regiments made no report at all, neither old nor new?

I do not know what difficulty you refer to.

Question. In estimating the number of new troops you received at Louisville.

My understanding was that the authorities at Louisville had received reports from most of the new regiments. I was told by the general commanding that army very confidently what the strength of the troops was. I got no reports from them, because as soon as we removed into the field we were ordered to move light; that is, to leave all the unnecessary baggage; and many of the regiments left all their papers too. They did afterward join us at Lebanon. The troops had moved very rapidly in marching from Louisville, and could not carry all of their baggage, or even all of their office furniture and desks; indeed, after leaving Louisville no one had time to make up a report, as they were almost constantly on the march.

Question. What do you estimate the force under General Buell at subsequent to the battle of Perryville, including General Sill's and General Dumont's division?

General Dumont's division did not join at all. I think with the addition of General Sill's division it was not over 59,000 men. The army with which we marched from Louisville was estimated at 58,000. As I said, the new troops broke down very rapidly and fell out. There were a great many stragglers from the new regiments, and after the battle I do not think there were more than 50,000 of the army which appeared in front of Perryville. General Sill's division numbered between 8,000 and 9,000.

Question. You estimate the stragglers, then, at something like 16,000?

There were 58,000 men marched from Louisville, as I represented on paper; after the battle I supposed there were 50,000. There were several thousands killed,wounded, and missing at the battle of Perryville. I do not know how 16,000 stragglers are to be accounted for.

Question. I understand you to include Sill's division?

I spoke of the army that appeared before Perryville.

Question. I understood you to say that the explanation given you by Colonel Fry of the cannonading on the front on the morning of the 8th was that it was guarding the water that had been secured by our troops; is that correct?

On the night before the battle of Perryville Captain Gay, who had the advance with his cavalry, advanced to this water and held it until some time after dark. General Gilbert was ordered to throw forward a brigade at 2 o'clock in the morning to hold that water; it went, and the next morning the enemy made some demonstrations in front as if to recover the ground occupied by this brigade, and they commenced cannonading with a couple of batteries they had with them. Colonel Fry merely expressed his opinion on the subject when I referred to it. I asked if we were going to the front at that time-I presume it was not later than 12 o'clock then-and he said it was merely cannonading in front to hold the water we had secured in the morning. Captain Gay had been on this front, I think, but at the time this brigade was advanced his pickets were occupying it; his main body was farther back.

Question. Was it because of this explanation from Colonel Fry that you did not know that a battle was in progress until you saw General McCook?

No, sir; I heard no indications of the battle. I merely spoke to Colonel Fry in reference to the matter because I supposed he would have some information of what they were doing in front and why they were firing at intervals all the morning.