Summary:
General Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia which included the 5th Va. Inf. Lee reports on the enemy breaking through the Confederate line.

---

Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR:

May 12, 1864. (Received Hanover Junction, 13th.)

This morning at dawn the enemy broke through that part of our line occupied by Johnson's division and gained possession of a portion of our breast-works, which he still holds. A number of pieces of artillery fell into his hands. The engagement has continued all day, and, with the exception indicated we have maintained our ground. In the beginning of the action we lost a large number of prisoners, but, thanks to a merciful Providence, our subsequent casualties were not large. Maj.-Gen. Johnson and Brig.-Gen. Steaurt were taken prisoners. The brave Gen. Perrin was killed, and Gen.'s Walker (of the Stonewall Brigade) and Daniel severely wounded.

R. E. LEE, Gen.

---

Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I., Volume 36. Part II, Reports, Correspondences, Etc., Serial No. 68, Pages 993, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.