[CHAP. XXVIII.

derstand that General Sherman should be removed; that he knew our troubles and difficulties, and that he would remedy them as soon as possible, having for some days had the matter under consideration. General Sherman was in a short time relieved from the command.

Question. You have been asked, general, what confidence you would have in the honor and courage of a man who pretended that he pillaged his unarmed friends because he had not an opportunity to fight a manly and armed foe. How would your confidence in the soldier be affected by the fact of marching through a country where the inhabitants were hostile and the entire army subject to continued insult and abuse from the inhabitants?

My confidence in a soldier who was constantly insulted by the inhabitants of the country through which we were marching and who would commit depredations upon such citizens would not be greatly impaired. Although I discountenance pillage under any plea, I believe it is common with the best armies in the world.

Question. Do you not know that it is quite common in this war for the inhabitants of the country to be in arms against the forces of the Untied States as this force approached and then return to their usual avocations as farmers as the army goes through?

Yes, sir; I believe it has been very common.

Question. What has been the effect upon our army, so far as demoralizing it is concerned, by giving protection and guards to rebel property?

It has been, in my opinion, somewhat deleterious; I might say considerably so.

Question. Has not the jealous care of rebel property impressed upon our forces that our generals were really sympathizing with that side?

I think it has to a considerable extent, sir.

Question. You have been asked in reference to the lines of supplies. Do you know up to what time the trains were run upon the railroad between Bowling Green and Louisville?

I think they were running to within a short time before we reached Bowling Green, or about the time we reached there, in September.

Question. Do you recollect what interruption there was upon that line between Bowling Green and Nashville?

The tunnel was blown up; one bridge between the tunnel and Gallatin was destroyed; there were also some bridges destroyed between Gallatin and Nashville after we were on our return to Tennessee.

Question. Are you acquainted personally with the country about that tunnel that was destroyed?

I have only passed through it once and am not very well acquainted with it, but I know that it is quite a rough, hilly country.

By General DAN:

Question. Did you know or hear, at the time when General Buell was in command of the Army of the Ohio, of any proposition or attempt on the part of officers of his command, other than that already testified to, to depose him from the command and put General Thomas in his place?

I know of no attempt being made to place General Thomas in command. I have heard there was an attempt, but know nothing of the truth of it.

Question. Where and at what time did you hear that this proposition was made?

I heard it at Louisville, when we were marching back from Tennessee through Kentucky.