not have left McMinnville unoccupied. I should have left a force sufficiently strong, to have checked him in any attempt to take possession of the town, and as far as possible made him determine to take one road or the other decidedly; that is, either the road to McMinnville or the road to Sparta.

Question. Would you not in that way divide your force and render yourself liable to be beaten in detail?

I do not think I would have done so there. As a general rule the forces should not be divided, but the physical features of the ground at McMinnville and between there and Sparta are such as to enable an officer to divide his troops, in my opinion.

Commission adjourned to meet December 19, at 10 o'clock a. m.

NASHVILLE, Friday Morning, December 19, 1862.

The Commission met pursuant to adjournment. All the members present; also the judge-advocate and General Buell.

General THOMAS' examination continued.

Cross-examination continued by General BUELL:

Question. Would the enemy in descending from the mountains upon McMinnville have been able to use more than one road?

They would not have been able to use but one road direct form Dunlap. They would approach McMinnville by one road. They could, however, have approached McMinnville by turning off after reaching the road from McMinnville to Piketville or they might pass from Dunlap to Manchester and descend the mountains toward Altamont.

Question. Or farther away toward Winchester?

Yes; they might descend into the highlands of Tennessee toward Winchester or Pelham.

Question. Or directly from Altamont to McMinnville by a good road?

That would be if they approached direct from Altamont. To reach McMinnville from Altamont they had to strike the road from Dunlap to Altamont in the valley of Rock River some distance from McMinnville. It is, as near as I remember, 8 or 10 miles from McMinnville where the road turns off.

Question. Would an army in descending upon McMinnville by these different roads meet with any greater difficulties than you would have in crossing Caney Fork between Sparta and McMinnville?

I think it would, for the reason that the roads I saw on the side of the mountain were very rocky and difficult. The only great obstacle on the road between McMinnville and Sparta is the crossing of Caney Fork at Rock Island.

Question. Is that a formidable obstacle?

It is; but an army could pass that easier than down those hill-sides.

Question. Did you travel over the road from McMinnville to Altamont by the way of Beersheba Springs, and is it not a good mountain stage road?

I did not pass over that road, but I have always heard that it was a good mountain stage road, and the only one that is good from the mountains to the highlands.

Question. When you were at McMinnville did you ever have any information which indicated that the enemy might cross or was crossing the mountains by the way of Altamont?

I did not get that information myself. The information I received from my scouts indicated that the enemy were passing toward Pikeville and Sparta, but I think, from the message which I received from General Buell, it was reported to him that the enemy were passing or might pass across the mountains through Altamont.

Question. Did your cavalry report the enemy on the Altamont road?

They reported a portion of the enemy on the top of the ridge, but marching toward Spencer, as far as they could learn.