Charles Steelhammer to Martin Burke, January 29, 1865

New York Harbor, January 29, 1865.

Lieut. Col. MARTIN BURKE, Commanding Fort Lafayette :

SIR: Í have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war confined at this station for the week ending January 29, 1865:

Conduct—very good. Cleanliness—generally very good. Clothing—good. Bedding—iron bedsteads, husk mattresses, blankets, sheets, and pillows. State of quarters—very good. State of messhouses—cleanly. Food, quality of—good. Food, quantity of—circular of June 1, 1864, complied with. Water—excellent (Croton). Sinks— cleanly. Police of grounds—excellent. Drainage—good. Police of hospital—no hospital at post; prisoners very sick are sent to Fort Hamilton. Attendance of sick—Hospital Doctor Gibson attends to. sick every morning. Hospital diet—none at post. General health of prisoners—very good. Vigilance of guard—guards vigilant; prisoners verified three times during the night.

Remarks and suggestions.—There are fifty-five prisoners at this post, consisting of prisoners of war and state. Their treatment as regards quarters and exercise is excellent. Everything allowed by existing orders is furnished to them, and a good degree of satisfaction is expressed by them for the uniform excellence of their treatment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

First Lieut., Seventeenth U. S. Infty., Post Adjt. and Insp. Officer.
* Place, date of capture, and by whom captured omitted, The officers are—Majors
D. W. Shannon and A. Ridley; Captains H. H. Hall, Thomas Bartlett, H. G. Bruce,
H. M. Ellis, James McKill, and F. P. Steck; Lieutenants J. A. Shepard, J. M.
Elkins, J. A. Darby, A. M. Lyles, W. H. Mitchell, Edward Bisart, P. H. Pruett,
E. M. Heath, and J. M, Wright; Assistant Quartermaster C. L, Moore,
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE. 143