Spottsylvania CH
12 ¼ P. M. 16 May ‘64
Genl J C. Breckinridge
Valley Dis. via Staunton
I offer you the thanks of this army for your victory over Genl Seigel
Press him down the valley & if practicable follow him into Maryland
R E Lee
Source: Facsimile of original, donated by Mrs. R. Middleton Bagby, Lexington, Kentucky, vertical files, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 January 29