Question. Has the opinion prevailed among the troops of the Army of the Ohio that our force was vastly superior to the enemy in that campaign, and has that circumstances tended to increase their disappointment, if there has been any?

I was believed, up to about the time that we arrived between Munfordville and Elizabethtown, that our force was greatly superior to the enemy. About the time I refer to, the opinion of the army, so far as I know, underwent a change, and we looked upon the enemy as at least equal to us in numbers and effectiveness. The opinion that we largely surpassed them in numbers did not contribute to the dissatisfaction of the soldiers.

Question. How was it on that point with reference to the subsequent operations of the army against the combined forces of the enemy in Kentucky; I mean what was the prevailing opinion as to the relative strength of the armies?

It was thought by the soldiers after we left Louisville that we largely excelled them in numbers, and dissatisfaction was expressed by them in not engaging the enemy. This occurred mainly immediately after the battle of Perryville.

Question. In the impatience which troops naturally and always feel before engaging an enemy that they consider not superior to them do they take much account of the advantage which an adversary may derive from strength of position or of other circumstances which may determine the question of the battle?

Soldiers who express impatience do not and generally are not qualified to take such facts into consideration.

Recross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Colonel, have you read Bragg's report, Colonel Forsyth's and Hawes' letters, and Benjamin's dispatch, and other documents from rebel sources relative to this campaign in Kentucky?

I have read General Bragg's report and Benjamin's dispatch; I believe I have not seen the other communication referred to.

Question. Did not that expedition originate in an expectation that the people of Kentucky would respond by a general rising, and was not the disappointment in that in fact the cause of the hasty retreat of the combined forces out of Kentucky?

I suppose that General Bragg contemplated larger accessions to his army than he received, but I am not prepared to say that the disappointment in that was alone the cause of his evacuation, for the reason that he probably could not have the means of arming the people of Kentucky generally had they welcomed him heartily, and his effective force would not have been much greater than it was. He doubtless hastened his evacuation partly on account of such disappointment.

Question. Did he not depend upon the country he invaded for supplies?

I believe he did, sir.

Question. Would not his position then become hazardous on finding a country of enemies instead of friends?

Yes, sir.

General BUELL. Although Bragg did not receive that encouragement which he excepted, did he actually find himself in the midst of enemies such as the Army of the Ohio was surrounded by in Tennessee?

No, sir; he must have received a great moral support from persons who failed to enlist in his army, judging from the expressions of the people along the march.

Commission adjourned to meet January 24, 1863.