Unbelievable Civil War Camp (Warning Contains Stunning Relics/Great Pictures)

[pitdiggers]

Hey TNET,

It's been a while since my last post but life sometimes just gets in the way of digging... Or maybe I was just waiting for a post that would blow your socks off. Today we decided to hit a new site that we have been looking into and little did we know what we were getting ourselves into. It has been a while since I have done a full day of digging and this was one of those days where you just couldn't stop. The site appears to be a Union camp based upon the research we have done as well as the real supporting evidence.... the relics! The day started off with only the occasional bullet until we stumbled upon the money hole. We began popping bullet after bullet with the occasional uniform button or knapsack hook. The sight of green brass in the hole is always a welcome sight, however the ground action wasn't too kind to many of the buttons. Most of the button backs we found did have matching fronts but as soon as they met the air they crumbled into what seemed like hundreds of pieces. The first great find of the day sounded just like any of the other button backs but instead out popped a star and crescent cape pin (our FIRST). This was just the start to the list of incredible relics we found today. After admiring the relics during a quick break it was back to metal detecting. The next hit was a solid signal on the MXT and was almost too good to be true which means almost always a Mason jar lid or can. After flipping over the plug there laid the white oval back of a cartridge box plate and the impression in the mud of the "U". After flipping it over and doing a quick celebration it was back to digging. Within a 20 yard radius there was soon to be three more plates coming out of the ground; another cartridge box plate, a carbine sling buckle, and a puppy paw "US" buckle. I normally dream of a one plate day nowadays yet today it was an unbelievable 4 plate day. Well instead of writing a book about every second of the day I'll let the pictures tell the rest. Hope you enjoy! What a great start to the year!
Oh wait don't forget the list of today's finds....
2 US cartridge box plates
1 US puppy paw belt buckle
1 carbine sling buckle
2 canteen spouts (1 engraved JNW)
200+ bullets (I lost count at about 206)
1 cape pin
1 brass artillery fuse
Buttons include general service eagles, eagle I's, Connecticut cuff, and New York cuff and coat
Knapsack hooks
3 bayonet scabbard tips
Camp lead
Various brass buckles, fasteners, grommets, and etc.

Happy hunting,

Pitdiggers

[birdman]

Yes my socks are blown off! That is a dream site.

[Mach 1 Pilot]

FOUR plates and 200 bullets! That should be on the banner for sheer volume! Congrats! I can only imagine what it would be like to hunt a virgin site like that!

[campbluegrass]

Incredible finds for sure. Congrats on finding a great site. When you go back please post the rest! I'll bet you've got more coming...

[zaxfire69]

I believe I would clear my schedule for at least a week. Holy moly. Those are beautiful plates. Each one deserves it's own display box. Wow..I'm gonna be honest..If this ain't a banner post I don't know what is. BRAVO

[bookfisher]

Congratulations on finding a Civil War Site loaded with relics. Simply incredible! I guess it's safe to say that Virginia is the best place to hunt in the country, since you guys have colonial sites along with probably the most Civil War sites. I also think this is a banner find!

[James from TN]

Now that is INCREDIBLE! That is the kind of site we relic hunters dream about. Have fun digging that site since they don't come around very often.

[PikesPeakCharlie]

Sure want to come up with something "whitty" to say ,,,, but just can come up with Got my vote !!!!!!

[pitdiggers]

Thanks everyone. What is interesting about this site is that we are not the first to hunt it. The landowner has had numerous people over the past 20 years hunt the site but in the last 10 they stopped giving permission. I can only imagine what it was like 20 years ago. Not one time has anyone ever offered the landowner any relics that were found. Actually I had the owner out with me using one of my machines and he was digging right along side me. Many of the artifacts you see here are going to the landowner. In return we have the site all to ourselves!

Virginia is a great place to hunt but hitting some of those new england cellar holes would be awesome as well!

[Getty]

SPETACULAR !!!!!

[BuckleBoy]

Good Lord! Bravo--and BANNER-Worthy!

-Buck

[rob.s]

Awesome all the way around

[BornOnFire]

That is simply a great day. You must be on cloud 9! The fact that you gave all relics to the Landowner was a very admirable move. I'm sure a lot of folks wouldn't do the same. Well done friend.

[Nutriasub]

Unveliable to find an untouched site!!

Congrats on the stunning relics and great digging

Banner vote is in!!

[rebelrouser]

that is something you dream about.great job

[CRUSADER]

I like the colour/patina of the fresh dug buckle. If I ever hunted your pond side, I would be only looking for plates like that (plus a few others items like Spanish Silver)

[civilman1]

Unfreakinbelievable is all I can say!!!!!! Great save's Banner

[jeff of pa]

Awsome amount of Finds !

You keep saying "we"
Curious how many "we" Are

Congrats on a Great Hunt

[MKnTenn]

Some great finds, nice camp. Watch your back, there might be a wagon train of cars following you your next time out. HH

[tennessee digger]

What great finds!!! Excellent pictures also. NICE. Tennessee digger