As described above, the former Shogunate forces were superior in military strength at the beginning of the war, and in fact, the new government's forces had reportedly reviewed the option of withdrawing from Kyoto with the Emperor.
前述の通り、開戦時の兵力では旧幕府軍が上回っており、新政府軍では天皇を連れて京都から撤退することも検討していたと言われる。