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George C. Burmeister diary, 1863

1863-10-15

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Thursday 15. Rose early this morning, took our breakfast near a large fire, since it was chilly out doors, at daybreak we were ready to leave our camp. Maj. Wm. B. Keeler told me that my tents could not be removed, and ordered me to destroy them and everything which I could not take with me. I gave orders in obedience to the above to commit all the tents and surplus bagage to the flames. I burned 15 wedge tents, two wall tents and fixtures, two axes and helves, and three spades. It grieved me very much to see our tents burned. I think, if our colonel had used proper caution, our teams could have been so disposed as to transport all of our property, but our wagons were not properly managed from what I can learn. We marched to Messenger’s Ford, where our division and Logan’s met. The expedition is under command of Maj Gen. James B. McPherson. Our division is temporarily commanded by Brig. Gen. Mower, because General Tuttle is compelled to remain at the bedside of his dying son. Crossed Black River, at 9 A.M. and kept on a steady march with half an hour’s rest for dinner until we got within a half mile of Brownsville. The object of this expedition is difficult to be solved, yet it is supposed to be to march on Canton, where, it is said
 
Civil War Diaries and Letters