the enemy have advanced in force to the field on the right of the road, near the junction of the Corinth and Danville road-infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

EARL VAN DORN,

Major-General.

P. S.- General Hardee to read and send to General Beauregard.

[Indorsement.]

Referred to General Bragg. Please return.

G. T. B.

MAY 17, 1862-8 p.m.

DEAR GENERAL: Inclosed you will find several reports from the front.* Advances seem to have been made on all the roads, but none of them in serious force. My scout that was out on the Purdy road last night is in. He brings a prisoner,and reports killing 3 men last night. His report is quite intelligent, and corroborative of what we know-the enemy's main force being within 6 miles and mostly on the Monterey road. None west of the Purdy road. The indications and accounts of sickness with the enemy are strong,&c.

Yours, truly,

BRAXTON BRAGG.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS,
Corinth, Miss., May 18, 1862

Major GARNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.:

MAJOR: An officer who was sent by me to the front on the lower Farmington road reports that the enemy is erecting intrenchments about half a mile to the right (our right) of Farmington and about parallel with ours.

Very respectfully,

W. J. HARDEE,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

Received at 7 a.m. Others confirm this. Will be with you at 8 or 9 o'clock, as you prefer.

B. B.

CORINTH, MISS., May 18, 1862

General BEAUREGARD:

GENERAL: I have not made nor attempted to make that reconnaissance with General Van Dorn this morning. I thought it postponed in consequence of the advance of the enemy, but I am also too much

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*Not found.

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