[fragment]

 

[Map of camp location]

 

One thing you must bear in mind while looking at this It was hastily sketched and not exactly well proportioned. You can guess how it may be. 1 Magazine in which are the most of the prisoners. 2 building in which are some Union prisoners in the north end. Darkeys in the middle and Secesh in the south. 3 building in which some of the prisoners were confined before the magazine was used. Now empty. 4 Guardhouse on the parapet over the arched entrance. 5 Building like the no. 3 now empty. The building in the north of the fort unnumbered is a dungeon. 6 Officers quarters. 7 prison cookhouse 8 dock from which a track is laid to the inside of the fort. On the dock is a heavy crane for moving guns to or from boats. 9 A brick building formerly used for dressing masts [?] ship timber, bending ship knees etc used for Negro quarters before they were sent to Craney Island. This building, wharf, dock and all should be draw on the map a little to the east. 10 building also used for Negro quarters. 11 dock wharf etc. 12 Negro burying ground Over 250 bodies in not over 4 rods square. /

 

I will try again at mapping when I get time I can draw a map of the fort and the immediate viscinity and get the proportions better. I will try it some time. This you need not keep long or show as a specimen of my mapping. I did it in a few moments. 13 Company cookhouses where our rations are furnished us already cooked and in quantities to suit all capacities. No one is stinted if he wishes of such as they have. 14 is the position of a gunboat doing guard duty. No boat is allowed to pass unless they have a proper pass oysterboats and all. Craney island is west nearly of the fort. There are beds of oysters in the river opposite and all the way down the river from the fort. Before the Rebellion there were so many engaged in oystering about here that three thousand bushels of oysters were shipped daily, north during the height of the season During the season between the fall harvest of their "Truck" (Vegetables) and the time to plow for spring crops, the farmers all calculated to engage in the oyster business. The oysters around Craney Island are considered better than any others, particularly river oysters. We have oysters whenever we want them and I have had so many that I care little about them. The boys buy a good many of the pedlars who trust us. They may never receive their pay of some. I know that the system of credit is not profitable with them. For washing they will surely receive their pay. I will finish on the other sheet if I can possibly            C.A.G. /

 

I received a letter today from Libbie. She is well. Rubie [?] has been with her and she did not write any for a month so you see that she enjoyed her visit extremely. Wayne is now in Caton I expect being a paroled prisoner taken by the Rebels at Jackson. You may have heard by this time more than I have /

           

            The cannonading at Suffolk was plainly heard yesterday morning at daybreak whole batteries discharging at a time It was heard for several hours.

Please send an answer back by return mail if possible so that I may know if it is received. I will write another letter and send tomorrow or next day with some money of Frank in it The one dollar bill enclosed is for Euphema to spend as she chooses If you cant make this letter out I will not write such another piece of ingrain You can afford to send a letter though short for $20.00 so write upon the receipt of said letter. Good Bye

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