By mid-December 1863 both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were heavily involved in military and foreign policy matters. In Washington on Saturday, December 19, 1863 President and Mrs. Lincoln, fully understanding the foreign policy significance of the moment, hosted an elaborate reception for the officers of the Russian warships visiting the east coast of the United States; numerous members of Congress and administration officials were present.
On the same day in Richmond, Virginia a concerned Jefferson Davis wrote Joseph Johnston, his new commander of the Confederate Department and Army of Tennessee, acknowledging “The difficulties of your new position are realized and the Government will make every possible effort to aid you…” Eastern Tennessee could not be successfully regained for the South, if Johnston failed in his new command.