Question. State what kind of positive information it was you received that the army was marching on to Altamont to attack the enemy.

I was so informed by General Wood, my division commander. I saw, as before stated, some orders that to my mind indicated nothing less than an excepted fight.

Question. Who were those orders sent by?

One was sent by General Buell and one by General Thomas.

Question. What was the purport of these orders?

General Thomas' order was one directing us to concentrate at McMinnville. General Buell's, as before stated was directing us on the same day to concentrate at Altamont; at least it was executed the same day we attempted to execute General Thomas' order.

Question. Who was in command at McMinnville at the time the property was destroyed there?

I only know from information. I saw General Thomas with the troops and saw orders from him.

Question. How came you to see General Buell's order for concentration; was it published?

On the march, having marched from Vervilla to within 7 miles of McMinnville, and then down the Decherd road to a point opposite our camp 2 1/2 miles distant, and then from that by way of Hickory Creek road toward Altamont, and being a very hot day, our troops were much exhausted and were straggling very much. There was some intimation that it was desired to execute the movement speedily, so as to arrive at Altamont that night. Having before passed over the road, and knowing it was a very difficult one up the mountain, it was thought best by Colonel Wagner for me to ride ahead and see General Wood and make proper representations as to the road and the degree of fatigue of our troops, so that, of it were possible and consistent with orders, to have the command stopped for the night at the foot of the mountains, 8 miles distant from Altamont. I rode ahead, met General Wood at the head of the column, and stated the facts of the case. He examined his orders in my presence, and not only stated what they were, but showed them to me, and finally concluded to remain there. I am not aware of General Wood showing them to anybody else. There was some dissatisfaction manifested by our portion of the troops in the expedition at the unnecessary march of 10 or 12 miles under a very hot sun, and it was not deemed improper that it should be known that it was not originally intended, but grew out of a change of orders.

Question. You say that General Wood showed an order from General Buell for this concentration at Altamont?

Yes, sir; for our troops to go-there. It may have been an order directed to General Thomas, but handed to General Wood from the fact that he was on the road in advance and General Thomas' troops were not yet ready to start, and contained instructions as to the route to be pursued. I did not notice the direction.

Question. Do you suppose it was possible General Wood would open a communication addressed to General Thomas?

By no means; but it might be quite probable that under the circumstances General Thomas would hand the original letter to General Wood.

Redirect examination by General BUELL:

Question. Colonel, in giving information to general Wood, to which he attached such importance, of the result of your reconnaissance at Altamont, did you state to him the ground upon which the enemy was excepted to advance by that route?

I stated to him fully and at length the information I had obtained, inclosing the original note referred to in my examination in support of my opinion that they were undoubtedly contemplating an early advance. I took into camp some 12 prisoners from Altamont, some of whom, I believe, were examined by the direction of General Wood. I also informed him verbally, if not in the communication, that a detachment of the enemy's cavalry had been at Altamont the day before the expedition.

Question. Did this marching and counter-marching of the troops to