Laborers at Quartermaster's Wharf, Alexandria, Virginia

Mathew B. Brady|Andrew Joseph Russell

1863–65 · Albumen silver print from glass negative · Photographs

The United States Quartermaster’s office managed the supply, warehousing, and distribution of food, fuel, ordnance, medical supplies, forage for animals, and even mail delivery for the army. This extraordinary view shows a group of emancipated slaves who worked as paid laborers for the army along the immense set of wharves at Alexandria, Virginia. One of the freedmen holds a carpenter’s square, one a barrel, the others coal shovels marked with United States Army initials. The workers moved commodities either into storage or onto wagons or railroad cars to be taken to the front.

Artist

Mathew B. Brady|Andrew Joseph Russell

Date

1863–65

Medium

Albumen silver print from glass negative

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1933