Craney Island, Jan. 19th, '63

To Major General John A Dix.
Commanding Department of Virginia

Sir:

I herewith transmit the statistics concerning the contrabands under my care. The greatest care has been taken to insure their accuracy.

Whole No. of Contrabands upon the Island.	1625		Average Length of time Employed	2.16/29
No. of Males over 16, and under 50 yrs.	212		Average Am't of wages recd per month	15 cts.
No. of Females over 16, and under 50 yrs.	380		No. of Women & Minor Children whose husbands and fathers are employed by government	401
No. of Children under 16 years	689		Average length of time those upon the island have been supported by government	4 Months 27 days
No. of Males and Females over 50 years	144		No who can read	47
No. of Males Field Hands	299		No belonging to Churches	355
No. of Males Mechanics	32		No of Blacks	1500
No. of Females Field Hands	478		No of Mulattoes	125
No. of Females who can sew Army Clothing	500
No. of Males upon the Isd. who have worked for Govt.	200
Average length of time employed	3.39
Average amount of wages recd per month	16 1/3 cts.
No of Women upon the Island who have worked for government	145
How employed

From the above statistics, their account with the government, estimating their rations at 14 cents each, would stand as follows--

Deduct from the no. upon the Island (1625) the no. of wives and minors (401) whose husbands and fathers are at work for government, and their remain 1224.

Whole no. rations for 1224 for four months and twenty seven days 179928.

Sot 179928 rations, estimated at 14 cents each $25189.92.

678 months work performed by male contrabands at $10 per month. $6780

370 months work performed by female contrabands in hospitals at $6 per month 2,220

Value of rations for males and females while thus employed at 14 cts. each	$4401.60
Deduct am't rec'd by above frm govt	13401.60

 

Males 675 mon's 16 1/3 cts. per month	$110.74
Females 370 " at 6 cts. " "	$55.50
		$166.24
			13233.36
Balance due govt			11054.56

It appears, from the above statistics, that one hundred and forty-four are above fifty years of age, and six-hundred and eighty-nine are below sixteen: showing that a large proportion of those upon the

Island are physically disqualified for labor. The disproportion of laborers among them is due to the able bodied single men having gone with the army. Had these remained, in the same proportion s they came within our lines, it is probable the community would be self supporting.

The statistics also show that the larger proportion of the population, both male and female, have been accustomed to field-labor.

The able-bodied males upon the Island are employed in catching oysters, in assisting the Carpenters in the construction of barracks, and in chopping wood for the use of the Island.

When the weather becomes warmer, probably about the middle of March, they can catch, with a good line, all the fish that can be consumed upon the Island; enabling us to dispense with nearly the entire meat ration.

The females could be employed in agriculture.

On the opposite side of the Creek, and within three and one half miles of the Island, are about five-hundred and seventy-five (575) acres of land suitable for cultivation, owned by notorious Secessionists who have not taken the oath. The Land is divided as follows:

One Farm of one hundred acres, owned by Luther Ballerd. (Owner living upon it.)

One Farm of seventy-five acres owned by John Henry Bedgood (owner upon it.)

One Farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres (owner with the Secessionists.)

One Farm of one hundred and fifty acres, owned by Cornelius Bedgood. (Owner living upon it.) Besides this land there are other large tracts owned by less active Secessionists, who have not taken the oath.

The above Lands are of about the average quality of the Farms on this side of the Nansemond River. They are low and sandy.

Without manure they will yield, on an average, about twelve and one half bushels of corn per acre.

With manure, they will produce the first year, a "paying crop" of Sweet Potatoes, Irish Potatoes, Melons, Cabbages, Turnips, Tomatoes, &c.

One Female field-hand would cultivate two acres, which would provide enough to support her, after paying for the manure.

The necessary outlay to make this land available for the support of the Contrabands would be: -- One mule, with cart and plough, for every twenty acres. One Hoe for each "hand" employed, and 12 lbs. Guano per acre, for all crops except corn.

Farming operations should be commenced at once.

The women upon the Island are competent sewers and could readily manufacture 500 Army Shirts or Pants per day.

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