I have testified to my opinion as to his ability to operate successfully in eastern Tennessee immediately after the occupation of the Gap, and I further stated my opinion as to the possibility of thus operating; but as to General Morgan's willingness to thus operate at any period not immediately after taking the Gap is an answer which I do not think I have made and certainly am not willing to make; because, though shortly after our taking the Gap the encampment of my brigade enabled me to see General Morgan frequently and this enables me now to state with some kind of accuracy what General Morgan's views were then, I could not so testify at a later period, because some ten days after we had taken the Gap I moved my brigade encampment to the Kentucky side of the Gap, and from that period until the retreat to the Ohio I only saw General Morgan when compelled by important business to go to his headquarters.

Question. How large a force would you have required to advance successfully against the 6,000 or 7,000 men that you say were within General Morgan's zone of operations?

I shall consider this question as asking my opinion as a soldier, and I shall naturally answer, then, I would have advanced with all the troops I could, and I believe that I should have found more than sufficient in General Morgan's force, keeping in view his strength in artillery, to encounter and defeat the enemy.

Question. I want to know, colonel, what you would think sufficient.

An equal force to the enemy.

Question. What force would you have thought necessary to leave at Cumberland Gap when you advanced?

Two weak regiments.

General BUELL. (To the court). I do not think it necessary to question Colonel De Courcy any further with reference to the operations of General Morgan about Cumberland Gap. The telegraphic dispatches which passed between General Morgan and myself, if they are studied carefully, will make this matter perfectly plain, and I do not desire to add anything to it.

Question. (To Colonel De Courcy.) You have expressed the opinion that when Stevenson came into Kentucky he took a position to cover the road to Cumberland Gap. Do you know what position he took for that purpose?

I do not think I have stated that he took a position for that purpose, if that means that he took a position north of Cumberland Gap. I have stated that probably Stevenson did not form a complete junction-with the entire of his forces-with Bragg, fearing that if the did so he would uncover the road to Cumberlad Gap by leaving the Gap undefended. I think that will be found in my deposition. He, however,very likely had a force between Flat Lick and Barboursville, on the Cumberland River, with detachments toward Manchester and London.

Question. It is your opinion, then, that he did not come farther into Kentucky that Flat Lick with any part of his force?

My opinion is that he did come into Kentucky farther than that point with a certain part of his force, but I do not deem my opinion on this point of any great value.

By General TYLER:

Question. Considering all the circumstances and the telegram now submitted to your inspection, marked Numbers 20, in "Telegrams Received Book, Numbers 1," are you positive that the telegram quoted yesterday from General Buell to Morgan, dated June 10, 1862, was the telegram upon which the retrograde movement of General Morgan was made?

I did not state positively that that was the telegram upon which the movement was made. I stated that I remembered the latter part of that telegram, and do remember to this very minute. My impression is that the telegram which ordered the retrograde movement was couched in more direct and positive terms.

Question. Do you recollect any of the circumstances under which that telegram was submitted to you?

I do not.