Answer. Of my own command, I had not 150 available men; however, some regiments and detachments of General Veatch's division had arrived and awaited the arrival of boats from St. Louis to carry them up the Tennessee. General Veatch had gone to Evansville, Indiana. Simultaneously with the reports from Hicks and Hawkins, I received from General Sherman, then at Nashville, this despatch: "Has General Veatch and command started up the Tennessee? If not, start them up at once." Down to this time it was uncertain whether Union City or Paducah was the real object of attack. Late in the evening I applied to Captain Fox, General Veatch's assistant adjutant general, to have 2,000 men in readiness to move during the night, if wanted, promising to have them back in time to embark, on arrival of their transports. I telegraphed Hawkins that he would receive aid, directing him to "fortify and keep well prepared." About 4-1/2 o'clock of the morning of the 24th, I was satisfied that Union City was the point of attack. Boats were impressed, four regiments were embarked, and I left at ten; disembarked at Columbus, and arriving within six miles of Union City at four p. m., where I learned that a surrender had taken place at 11 a. m., and the garrison marched off. I turned back, and at three the next morning turned over General Veatch's men, ready to go up the Tennessee. Question. Why did you not pursue Forrest? Answer. For three reasons: _First_, his force was all cavalry; mine all infantry. _Second_, he was moving on Paducah, and, while I could not overtake him by land, I could head him by the rivers. _Third_, another despatch from General Sherman reached me as I was going out from Columbus, prohibiting me from diverting the troops bound up the Tennessee from that movement on account of the presence of Forrest. My purpose was to save Union City, bring in its garrison, and have General Veatch's men back in time for their boats. While I was willing to risk much to secure a garrison supposed to be yet engaged in gallant defence, I could do nothing to mitigate the accomplished misfortune of a surrender. Question. Do you think the surrender premature? Answer. The garrison was within fortifications; the enemy had no artillery. A loss of one man killed and two or three wounded does not indicate a desperate case. The rebels were three times repulsed. A flag of truce followed, and a surrender. Question. How large was the attacking party? Answer. I judge fifteen hundred, the largest portion of Forrest's force being evidently on the way to Paducah. Question. How large was his entire force? Answer. Apparently 6,500. Question. When was Paducah attacked? Answer. About 3 p. m. the next day, March 25. Question. Was Paducah re-enforced previous to the attack? Answer. It was not. I had no men to send, but sent supplies. Question. Where was General Veatch's command? Answer. Embarking for the Tennessee. Question. Was Paducah well defended?