Back, major Webb informed me that this was mistake; that no troops of our were on this road. About this time an officers in command of six companies of the Twentieth Mississippi (mounted)reported to me that he had been sent to Edwards Depot to guard the wagon trains, which were at that time retreating across Big Black. I directed this officer to deploy his men as skirmishers, and keep the enemy in check as long as possible, I then rode to the intrenchments at Big Black, and informed you what I had done. This includes the verbal orders conveyed by me on the 16th, I carried none on the 17th.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

H. C. TUPPER,

Aide-de-Camp.

Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON.

MAY 17, 1863. -Engagement at Big Black River Bridge, MISS.

REPORTS. *

Number 1. -Return of Casualties in the Union forces.

Number 2. -Colonel Thomas S. Mather, SECOND Illinois Light Artillery, chief of Ordnance Thirteenth Army Corps, of ordnance captured.

Number 3. -Brigadier General Albert L. Lee, u. S. Army, commanding NINTH DIVISION, THIRTEENTH Army Corps.

Number 4. -Brigadier General Michael K. Lawler, u. S. Army, commanding SECOND Brigade, fourteenth DIVISION, including operations May 2-22.

Number 5. -Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius W. Dunlap, twenty-first Iowa Infantry.

Number 1. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, engaged at Big Black River Bridge, MISS, May 17, 1863. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns,&c.]

Captured or

Command Offi Enli Offi Enli Offi Enli Aggre

cers sted cers sted cers sted gate

men men men men

THIRTEENTH ARMY --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

CORPS. Major

General John A.

McClernand.

Escort. 3rd

Illinois Cavalry,

Company L+

NINTH DIVISION. --- --- 1 --- --- --- 1

[1.] Brigadier

General PETER J.

OSTERHAUS. ++ [2.

] Brigadier

General ALBERT L.

LEE. Staff

---------------

*See also general reports of Grant McClernand, and Pemberton; battle of Port Gibson, reports of Buehler, Carr, and Fonda (Part I); battle of Champion's Hill, reports of Burbridge, Cockrell, gates,

Guppey, Keigwin, Lindsey, Lucas, and Osterhaus; siege of Vicksburg, reports of Lanphere, lee, and Giles A. Smith.

+No loss reported.

#Wounded.

---------------