NEAR YORKTOWN, April 9, 1:20 P. M.
The weather still continues unfavorable for military operations. It has been raining for nearly two days. The creeks are very much swollen, and low grounds covered with water, making the roads almost impassible for empty wagons.
Information received shows that the rebels have a force of 60,000, which is rapidly being added to by troops from the neighborhood of Richmond, which is one day from Yorktown by rail and river; they having four steamers and sixteen transports in use, and by the time the roads are in condition for the Union army to move, the rebels may be able to meet them with 100,000. The flower of their army, with the best arms, are in a strongly entrenched position.
Previous to our troops occupying their present position, the military authorities had no means of ascertaining the extent of the rebel works. Information obtained through deserters, contrabands and other sources, shows the enemy has nearly 500 guns, some of them of the largest caliber.
The rebel Gen. Johnson [sic] with some of his forces; has arrived and taken command in person, showing that they intend making a desperate resistance. Their entrenchments extend from the James to the York river, entirely across the Peninsula.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1
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