Wednesday night, January 28, 1863.
Horribly
wintry day — another snow storm — began last night. No recent
intelligence from the armies. The bad weather has probably prevented
another threatened attempt at Fredericksburg, unless, as is rumored or
suspected, disaffection in the ranks of the enemy interferes with the
movements against us. A letter copied from the N. Y. Tribune, which
denies that disaffection exists to any serious extent, furnishes the
best proof I have of its existence. It is said to be quite wide-spread
among the Northwestern troops, particularly those from Illinois. A great
change has certainly taken place at the North — people are speaking out
against Lincolnism and the war after a fashion which a few months ago
would have promptly sent them to one of the military prisons. Since the
Governor of New York (Seymour) declared that there should be freedom of
speech, and the new Governor of New Jersey (Parker) followed suit,
tongues long tied have become glib again
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-158
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