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- 1870 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan (5 Jul 1870)
Geo. H. Bassett 29 M Michigan Wholesale Grocer 10000
Louisa W. 27 F New York Keeping House
Edward B. 1 M Michigan
George H. Bassett, Apr. 1929
Some of the perils of Civil war days were experienced by George H.
Bassett, brother of John C. Bassett of this city, who had reached Kalamazoo
May 30, 1862 after escaping from the Confederate military conscripti
Memphis, Tenn.
John Bassett was an early day grocer here and his home at Burdick and
South streets still stands here, though it is incorporated within the Boudeman
block.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, George Bassett was in the grocery
business at Memphis. To escape the draft levied in the South and to avoid the
suspicion that had attached itself to Northern men, he enlisted in the Home
Guards at Memphis.
Guards Called Out
After the fall of Fort Donelson, fresh reserves were called to
reinforce the Confederate ranks and the Memphis Home Guard was ordered into
active service. Bassett said on his arrival here that two or three of h
acquaintances had been shot because they objected to this military service.
Bassett, and a friend, Joseph Logan, hid themselves and on the night
of March 16, 1862, made their escape in a light skiff on the Mississippi
river. Their provisions consisted of a side of bacon and a little corn meal.
The two fugitives headed their craft northward. During daylight they
hid in the bushes of the river bottom lands. At night they worked their way
past fortifications and gunboats. They passed Island No. 10 while it was being
bombarded.
After eight days and nights they landed at Bird's Point, just below
Cairo, Ill. They were taken into custody by Union soldiers and sent to
Charleston, Mo., where they furnished proof that they were Northerners and
were released.
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