Image ID: ADQR

Chrysler Museum says: Camp Scene, Kitchen, Union Engineer Company.

National Archives says: Cooks’ quarters.

Miller, Photographic History of the Civil War, Vol. 8, pp200-201: The Busy Engineers Stop to Eat. The Company Cook with his Outfit “In Action”–Beef on the Hoof at Hand. This is the camp of an engineer or pontoonier company. The pontoons resting on their wagon bases are ready to be launched. But before work comes a pause for an important ceremony–dinner. In the eyes of the rank and file the company cook was more important than most officers. The soldiers in the photograph are located near the headquarters’ wagons, while the cook himself is standing proudly near the center, “monarch of all he surveys.” To his left is seen one of the beeves that is soon to be sacrificed to the soldiers’ appetites.

Vicinity of Alexandria, VA.

Fowx negative no. 173.

Etched onto negative: 173 [crossed out]. 270.