documentary evidence I introduce myself and what I think it will be best to do in all cases.

The PRESIDENT. My opinion on that matter is that any written papers or documents presented to this Commission and appearing as from the official records of General Buell, properly dated, sent by him or to him when he was in command of the Department of the Ohio, would be, prima facie, correct, and if not correct it would be for General Buell to point out the errors and that it would not be for the judge-advocate in any manner to correct them, and to amend them the original papers would have to be produced in court and all corrections made upon the face of the documents from the originals. Prima facie the documents that appear in the official books of the general commanding the Department of the Ohio would be received, in my judgment, as correct, though unsigned by the chief of the staff or the assistant adjutant-general.

General BUELL. I do not object to the rule; I simply made the remark so that I might not be understood as assenting to what might upon its face appear to be correct.

(Telegram read by judge-advocate.)

General BUELL. You have read enough already to show the necessity and propriety of a proper examination of these official papers and of a proper authentication of them. These records were made out for my own use, and, as you see, have never been carefully examined and authenticated, and were written, as is apparent, by a careless clerk. The originals are on file, and time would be saved by a proper authentication before the papers are presented to the Commission. The rule the president has stated is a sufficient protection for me and I have no objection to proceed in that way, but it will involve a re-examination of all these papers and a comparison of them with the originals.

The PRESIDENT. There is no objections to General Buell correcting any errors in these records by a reference to the originals.

(Telegrams read by judge-advocate.)

Commission adjourned to meet February 14.

CINCINNATI, February 14, 1863.

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

(Telegrams read by judge-advocate.)

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. Mr. President, I now introduce the consolidated reports exhibiting the strength of the Army of the Ohio for

June 1,* June 10,* July 20,* August 1, and September 1,*1862. I believe these exhibit the entire force of the army at those several periods, with the exception of two divisions (General Mitchel's and General Paine's, I think) that were subsequently or pending that time added to the Army of the Ohio.

(Telegram read by judge-advocate.)

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I find among the telegrams an estimate of the army at Chattanooga without date or signature. I think, however, it is in the handwriting of General McCook; but till it is authenticated it should not be accepted by the Commission. I submit it for what it

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*Not found.

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