Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
June 3, 1864—8.45 p.m.
Hon. Secretary of War,
Richmond, Va.:
Sir:
About 4.30 a. m. to-day the enemy made an attack upon the right of our line. In front of General Hoke’s and part of General Breckinridge’s line he was repulsed without difficulty. He succeeded in penetrating a salient on General Breckinridge’s line and captured a portion of the battalion there posted. General Finegan’s brigade of Mahone’s division, and the Maryland Battalion, of Breckinridge’s command, immediately drove the enemy out with severe loss. Repeated attacks were made upon General Anderson’s position, chiefly against his right, under General Kershaw. They were met with great steadiness and repulsed in every instance. The attack extended to our extreme left, under General Early, with like results. Later in the day it was twice renewed against General Heth, who occupies Early’s left, but was repulsed with loss. General Hampton encountered the enemy’s cavalry near Haw’s Shop, and a part of General William H. F. Lee’s division drove them from their intrenchments. General Fitzhugh Lee’s division occupies the south side of the Chickahmoniy as far as Long Bridge, with pickets extending across to the James.
Our loss to-day has been small, and our success, under the blessing of God, all that we could expect.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
General.
Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Vol. 36, Part 3, p. 869.
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 June 3
