What groups were opposed to the US Civil War draft laws?

The draft laws passed by first the Confederacy in 1862 and later in 1863 by the Union were not popular laws. The main groups it affected and thus were opposed to draft laws on both sides were poorer citizens. The laws in each place (North & South) were poorly drafted and in the case of New York City, caused the largest public insurrection in US history. President Lincoln had to send 20,000 troops fresh from the Battle of Gettysburg along with artillery (howitzers) to New York to quell a two riot.

The draft law in the North allowed a citizen to pay the Federal Government $300 in order to avoid serving. Poor citizens could not afford this amount. Also, if a draftee could find a person to take his place, he was exempt from the draft.

The draft law in the South was also unpopular, however, there were no public displays of protest. Citizens in the South had to serve with a very important exception. If they owned 20 or more slaves, they were exempt from the draft. Most soldiers in the South did not qualify for this exception as few owned that 20 slave minimum.