Q. How do you know who gave that command?
A. I could hear them; I don't suppose I was six feet from some of them.
Q. Could you pick out the men who gave the command?
A. That gave the word fire?
Q. Yes?
A. No, sir; I couldn't.
Q. Then you don't know who it was that gave the command?
A. That gave these commands? No, sir.
Q. You say it came from officers in command of a company?
A. It came from what I supposed by the position they held--they were
strangers to me.
By Mr. Reyburn:
Q. Couldn't you distinguish the officers from the private?
A. I thought I could. It was what I consider officers. I didn't pay
that much attention. I had no idea there was going to be such a command
given, and paid no attention to officers nor privates. These parties
had no guns. Whether they were captains or lieutenants, or what, I
couldn't say.
Q. You wouldn't pretend to say what man it was gave the command, or
pick out the man?
A. That gave this command I speak of? No, sir.
Q. You could only tell the direction in which the words came?
A. If they had been Pittsburgh troops had been there, I suppose I could
have told every man of them. I could not point out the men if they were
brought before me now.
Q. Could you see the man who uttered the words?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. So as to pick him out?
A. I could, provided I had seen enough of the man. I couldn't remember
him now. I believe if I could see the man that I first heard these
words "fire" from; if I would have seen him the next morning, I could
point him out. I don't remember of having seen him since, and I don't
know that I could point him out if he was here.
Q. How was he dressed?
A. Dressed in a gray uniform? He was in full uniform, with gold lace on
it.
Q. What rank did his uniform indicate?
A. I didn't pay that much attention to him to find out what his rank
was. The militia uniform is so badly mixed, I could hardly tell what
the man's rank would be. The uniform seemed to be about the same in all
the officers. I didn't pay any attention to these troops as regards
that.
By Mr. Reyburn:
Q. Had he a plume, the same as the privates?
A. I couldn't say.
Q. Didn't notice?
A. No, sir.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. How many officers did you hear give this command to fire?
A. I couldn't say exactly. I suppose seven or eight.
Q. All gave the command to fire?
A. Yes, sir; that is, I heard it in that many different voices; I
couldn't say how many officers, but in that many different voices.
Q. Not at one and the same time?
A. Not at one and the same time.