Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, November 4, 1862

We started rather early this morning and arrived at Grand Junction at 9 o'clock in the evening. The army has burned the fences along the road and set fire to many deserted houses.2
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2 Our march these two days was marred by the disgraceful spectacle of the waste and destruction of property. Some men set fire to the autumn leaves in the fence corners along the road. A high wind blowing soon spread the fire, which laid waste the timber and burned some farm buildings, together with their contents. Such destruction of property was the disgrace of our army — but it was at the seat of war. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 80

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