Question. Do you know or did you hear by whose orders that property was destroyed?

I think Colonel Ammen was mentioned in connection with the destructions of a portion of it, but about that I am not positive. A portion of the enlisted men and subordinates mentioned General Thomas in connection with it. Some enlisted men of General Wood's division, stragglers, passed through McMinnville that day; the command generally did not.

Question. Did this fact or report of the destruction of property at McMinnville have a bad effect upon the temper of the troops, do you think?

I think not, sir; at least not upon our branch. I do not know the effect it might have had upon General Thomas' immediate command of the troops at McMinnville.

Question. State, if you please, colonel, what property was said to have been destroyed.

Camp equipage and some ammunition.

Question. Did you ever hear any explanation of the act subsequently?

I heard it stated that the property was destroyed for want of sufficient transportation; that all the troops were to be concentrated at Altamont for the purpose of battle without being able to leave a sufficient guard at McMinnville to protect it. I understood that the troops at McMinnville had been directed to send their surplus baggage to Murfreesborough, and a portion of the transportation may have been engaged in this or may have been on the road hauling provisions from the railroad to McMinnville.

Question. In what way were your supplies transported at this time to McMinnville?

My impression is by wagon from Murfreesborough; some may been transported over the Tullahoma branch, but I think at this time they relied upon the railroad at Murfreesborough and by wagoning from the railroad at Murfreesborough to McMinnville. The Tullahoma branch was cut a few days after the second Altamont expedition.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Colonel, this information that you received of the approach of the enemy at Altamont is based, I understand you to say, upon that letter you spoke of?

Not entirely. I only looked upon the letter, bearing the impress of having been written by an intelligent man, as confirmatory of the universal opinion of all the rebels outside of our lines at Altamont and on the road from our camp to that place. I looked upon their opinion, they having uninterrupted communication with their camp, as of value.

Question. Are the rebels in a habit, when meditating so important an expedition as this was, to advertise the route along which they intend to move?

I should think they would not generally. I suppose they were confident, however, in this respect from being so far from any camp of our troops.

Question. On the contrary, has not your observation taught you that they are secret and sudden in the performance of those things?

They have moved with celerity at times, but I cannot say that they have been generally very secret. In fact, before the end of the month cavalry did pursue that route, as I was informed, and destroyed our communications.

Question. Is your knowledge of the destruction of property at McMinnville of such a character as to justify you to say who was responsible, the extent of the destruction, and the result of it?

It is not, sir.