McCook's corps of which you speak to have been between 2 and 4 o'clock?

My command was posted some 2 1/2 or 3 miles on the side of Perryville opposite to the side which was occupied by the enemy, when they made that attack upon McCook. How far they were from the road by which they retreated to Harrodsburg after the fight I cannot say. If we had started simultaneously, my impression is I could have marched to the point where they probably came down into the road almost as soon as the overcame the natural obstacles. I would probably have encountered some resistance in Perryville. I have no doubt, in fact I know, they covered their flank by a considerable force in Perryville, and I suppose it would have been night by the time I could have reached the point near which they must have turned in the road, starting at 4 o'clock, and it would have been a pretty rapid movement then if resisted at all. I do not now remember at what time it was dark. I think I could have accomplished the distance in two hours.

Question. As I understand you, general, you make that answer upon the supposition that the enemy would have contested your advance into Perryville?

Yes, sir.

Question. But suppose that advance had not been contested; suppose a brigade from General Gilbert's corps had already marched through Perryville and reached a point in the enemy's rear on the other side of the town?

In that case I could have moved more rapidly, and supposing the distance would have been 5 miles, I could have done it in one and a half hours in an emergency.

Question. Would the movement of your corps that distance have been any way complicated?

Not at all, sir.

Question. What would have been your movement?

If I supposed I should have been resisted in Perryville I should have moved in line; but if I had known that there would have been no resistance and no enemy in Perryville, that they had retreated, I would have moved in column along the road; or if I could have moved more rapidly the different divisions through the woods where they were posted and through the fields I should have done so. I do not remember precisely the natural obstacles I might possibly have had to avoid; there were some perhaps on the extreme right; but I rather think I could have moved the three divisions in column right straight through the town of Perryville.

Question. If a council of officers composed of such men as Thomas, Wood, Negley, with all the facts that could be brought before them at the time, had determined that it was better to make a stand at Sparta or McMinnville against Bragg coming from Chattanooga, would you have concurred in that proposition?

I should be very loath to have taken a position antagonistic to officers of such attainments with my little experience and want of military knowledge; yet still I think it would depend entirely on my conviction and the strength of my conviction what course I would take if I were responsible for the movement. I think if the country had made me responsible that I should have relied upon my own convictions where they were firm and decided.

By General SCHOEPF:

Question. Was not Rockcastle River, Kentucky, a very serious obstacle in the pursuit of Bragg's army?

I cannot say that it was a serious obstacle; we soon crossed the river. We encountered very little resistance, and that was from a force of cavalry along there. The resistance was more by the felling of trees obstructing the road. It might have been made a very serious obstacle.

Question. Will you please give your opinion in regard to the means of crossing the river; also a description of the river itself, and the num-