Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds, War Correspondent, New York World
January 11, 1863
Washington City
News in Washington at the War Department is once again most disturbing, and at the same time most hopeful. Major General Ambrose Burnside has been replaced by Major General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, following General Burnside’s defeat at Fredericksburg.
The Union Army, under the command of General Burnside, suffered horrendous casualties in futile frontal assaults on December 13, 1862 against entrenched Confederate defenders on the heights behind the city, bringing to an early end their campaign against the Confederate capital of Richmond. The Union Army has once again pulled back to position themselves for a future assault, this time with yet another new commander.
General Joseph Hooker has been described as a man of great courage and fortitude and somewhat questionable morals. However, General Hooker promises that he will refit the Army of the Potomac and move aggressively against General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia at his most opportune appointment.
Can this, yet another change in the command structure of the North provide the necessary will and conviction to bring about the end of this terrible conflict? Only time will tell.
General Lee and his lieutenants have also vowed to end this terrible atrocity with the defeat of the Union Army. According to sources, the victory at Fredericksburg has given them the impetus to advance once again against Union forces, possibly moving into Maryland or Pennsylvania as early as May.
General Hooker has already issued orders to refit his army and to prepare to march into Virginia as early as April, thus cutting of Lee and his men from advancing further. General Hooker is hopeful of removing Lee from his entrenched position around Fredericksburg Virginia, forcing the gray fox to retreat. The Union General states he will eventually win the day, and the war, with a Union victory in Richmond.
As General Hooker continues his plan, the War Department will do everything in its power to insure a Union victory at this most crucial time in the war. Another Union defeat such as recently suffered in Fredericksburg, and as well as the Union stalemate at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg Maryland this past fall, would likely lead to a Confederate victory of the entire war. This would undoubtedly end not only the present fighting, but all hopes of forever preserving the Union.
