To the best of my knowledge and belief the reasons in the mind of the commander of the Army of the ohio which caused the delay of the army in advance of Perryville after the battle were that the left corps was badly crippled, and that the division of General Sill, which belonged to that corps, had not yet joined it. General Sill's joined in the afternoon of the 11th and the army marched next morning. The time between the 9th and 11th was occupied in bringing forward necessary supplies and in reconnaissance.

Question. When was it first ascertained that the rebel army was retreating from Camp Dick Robinson; what movement was the Army of the Ohio executing when that information was received, and what steps were taken in consequence of it to pursue them?

It was known on the evening of the 13th that the enemy was retreating from Camp Dick Robinson; the Army of the Ohio was then moving to attack at that place; the main features of the plan of attack having been determined on, orders were given for the pursuit to be commenced at 12 o'clock that night.

Question. When did Major-General Buell first see Major-General Thomas after the battle of Perryville. Did General Thomas at any time recommend the movement of the corps which he was with to Danville; and, if so, when and in what manner.

I do not think General Buell saw General Thomas after the battle of Perryville until they met at Danville on the evening of the 13th. I was hardly out of General Buell's presence during this time, and hence give an opinion on this point. The only recollection I have of a recommendation from General Thomas to move the corps he was with to Danville was one made on the 13th after orders had been given by General Buell for that move.

Question. What instructions were given to General Morgan at Cumberland Gap relative to his operations in that region; upon what grounds were those instructions based, and did they restrain him from operations against the enemy's forces on his railroad communication through East Tennessee which might have been undertaken with a reasonable prospect of success?

I have no means of reference to the instructions given to General Morgan at Cumberland Gap, but they were made of record, and I should prefer that they be referred to in answer to the thing in question. I, however, distinctly recall their general tenor. They left it discretionary with him whether to act on the offensive or defensive; he was told he could not be re-enforced from the main army; on reports from General Morgan that the enemy in his front was vastly superior to him in numbers cautionary orders were given; he was told that he was not required to attempt any desperate operations, &c., but on his reporting that he had abundance for a cavalry raid on the railroad, which he had planned, he was told expeditions of that kind were though to be within his power and were deemed sufficiently safe and promised good results.

Question. Were your relations with General Buell such as enable you to say that you had full and unrestricted access to the information which influenced his actions and a full knowledge of his views and plans?

My relations with General Buell were such as to make me say that I had full and unrestricted access to the information which influenced his actions and full knowledge of his views and plans.

I hereby certify that the above-named J. B. Fry, colonel and Provost-Marshal General, and in the service of the Government of the United States, was duly sworn previous to the responses given by him to the questions, asked by Major-General Buell on the 22nd of April, 1863, at the War Department, in the city of Washington, D. C.

DONN. PIATT,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Judge-Advocate.

CINCINNATI, Saturday, April 25, 1863.

The Commission met pursuant to adjournment. Members present, General Wallace, General Dana, General Tyler; also the judge-advocate and General Buell.