Answer:
To prevent the Union Army from possessing their belongings
Step-by-step explanation:
During the American Civil war that occurred between 1861 to 8165. New Orleans a city in Louisiana who in turn is a state in the South. And the started supported the Confederates.
However, when the people of New Orleans realized that the city has been lost to the Union Army, they had to burn their own supplies. The purpose is to prevent the Union Army from possessing their belongings. By this, they burned cotton, rice, sugar tobacco.