Rain all night and this A. M.! Army movements very slow.
Vicksburg the great point of interest for a month past. Things looking like
fight in Rosecrans' vicinity; Charleston also a point of attack.
In the North a reaction favorable to the war is taking
place. The peace men, sympathizers with the Rebels, called Copperheads or
Butternuts, are mostly of the Democratic party. They gained strength last fall
by an adroit handling of the draft, the tax-law arrests, the policy favorable
to the negro, and the mistakes and lack of vigor in prosecuting the war. This
led to overconfidence, and a more open hostility to the war itself. The
soldiers in the field considered this a "fire in the rear," and "giving
aid and comfort to the enemy." They accordingly by addresses and
resolutions made known their sentiments. Loyal Democrats like John Van Buren
[and] James T. Brady begin to speak out in the same strain. A considerable
reaction is observable. The late acts of Congress, the conscription, the
financial measures, and [the] Habeas Corpus Act, give the Government
great power and the country more confidence. If the conscription is wisely and
energetically administered, there is much reason to hope for good results.
In the meantime the Rebels are certainly distressed for want
of provisions. The negro policy doesn't seem to accomplish much. A few negro
troops give rise to disturbances where they come in contact with our men and do
not as yet worry the enemy a great deal.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 397
