A. I do not think at that time it would have been a wise movement in the night.
Q. A fire had already broken out?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you know that Brinton had received that communication?
A. 0, yes; Brinton got that.
Q. Was that discussed, or did that occur to you at the time to order him down to the Union depot?
A. Yes; I have just stated I intended to order him out. I do not mean to say at that particular time, but I intended to suggest, when I got this dispatch, and then I would not assume the responsibility of ordering troops out that were described to be in that condition.
Q. Have you that dispatch?
A. That is lost.
Q. Can you state the nature of it—the contents of it?