Philadelphia Observer - 16 April 1862

News Report for the Union Lines Along the Chesapeake

Philadelphia Observer
16 April 1862
by Macaulay Connor

While our reporters in Washington and the Union lines have been reporting about the success of Generals Sumner and Heintzelman, this reporter has it on good authority that the lines have been pulled back ten miles. With little fighting reported.

General McClellan has finally arrived on southern soil with additional troops. It is assumed that his forces will join up with the entrenched Union forces in the next three days.

What will the Union do than? It is possible they will try to force the river. Local Virginians have been collecting and destroying all river craft to keep them out of Federal hands.

There is also the possibility that General McClellan will try to attack the Virginia lines. If so this reporter will report the action, as he will be at the front.

Rumors from the Union lines show they are looking to pull back to the landing and than back to Washington to defend President Lincoln.

This reporter is able to work from behind Confederate lines thanks to the assistance of the friends of this newspaper.

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OK, now to the important bits. The Union has pulled back seven to ten miles and none of their crossing points are secure. It appears, to my reading of the rules that their one bridge will be destroyed due to Confederate activity.

The Union does have the ability to crush the Confederates, if they can get their huge divisions moving in sync. That is asking alot as they are spread out, often outside of command range.

The one good piece of news is that reinforcements are on the way from Washington DC and Baltimore. These will be with General McClellan. There is also a good chance more will be at the landing on the next strategic turn.

If I was a betting man, I think the Union has a 20% chance of victory as of this turn. Higher if they can keep their moral up.