Recent War For Southern Independence Finds

[Valley Ranger]

I found these Civil War relics the week before this past Christmas. Nine .58 minie balls, two .69's, three .58 Confederate Gardners, one long-model "commercial" Sharps bullet, made for the .52-caliber Sharps Rifle/Carbine. (As Cannonball Guy once informed me: "It is called a "commercial" Sharps bullet because it was put on the market for civilian use, rather than for the army.") Another unidentified CW bullet, a pistol bullet, musket ball, the tail end of an exploded Shenkl shell, two brass rivets, one brass cap-box finial, a brass piece that looks like it may be off a trigger guard and another that looks like it might be part of a spur or sword guard. I also found another unidentified brass piece, iron piece, melted lead and melted brass. Not too bad for a day's fun and adventure.

All of these relics were found on a battlefield (on private property with the owner's permission) where one of my ancestors fought and was wounded. I'm working on a Youtube video of the hunt. In posting this, I was reminded of some great lines that Steve Sylvia wrote in the most recent issue of North South Civil War Trader's:

He held each relic he unearthed with a reverence regardless of its scarcity or market value. To him, relics were documents of valor and sacrifice and were worthy of devoted appreciation no matter their affiliation, North or South.

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He enjoyed reading extensively about a campaign and then visiting the site, gazing the vistas the soldiers saw, walking the fields and wood lots where they marched and deployed, crossing the creeks they crossed, climbed the hills they scaled, and searching for the relics that testified to their having been there.

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I could not agree more.

 

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[Old Dude]

I can't agree more and have written my personal feelings below as I had family members that served on both sides during the Civil War!

For our Fore Fathers stood on battlefields of the Great War between the States and made their families proud. It matters not which side they fought on, it matters only that they had conviction that what they were doing was right and served with honor. May we all remember those who served and fell during this Great War, that they may be honored for their sacrifices and not the differences of their convictions! May they all rest with ease and with the coming of our Lord, may they find the long sought Peace that they sorely fought to obtain in life!


Frank E. Ferrell

Well said, Sir! I suppose we all get different joy from this shared hobby of ours, but if you hold a recovered relic, and don't feel connected to the last person who held it, you miss a great deal of appreciation of our history. I always wonder what circumstances caused the loss and how much struggle their life was going through at the time.


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[iwhitley]

You did not bore me at all. This is what it's all about. How many of us hunt for fortune? I don't know anyone, despite some of the hype we see on the TV MD shows - the vast majority of us do it for the "thrill of the hunt", the mystery, the adventure and, most importantly, a chance to discover and preserve some history that would otherwise likely be lost. Thank you!

Ahh!! The thrill of the hunt and history! That what keeps me going among all the trash I clean up from the fields in my neck of the woods.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Ahh!! The thrill of the hunt and history! That what keeps me going among all the trash I clean up from the fields in my neck of the woods.

Thanks Ivan - sorry we couldn't get together over Christmas. Maybe some other time.

 

[iwhitley]

Thanks Ivan - sorry we couldn't get together over Christmas. Maybe some other time.

I know! We weren't up here that long over Christmas. Just two days, so it was kind of hard to do everything we wanted to do. I will have my youngest daughter going to JMU next year so we will have more incentive to come up. Anyway, great finds!

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[WHADIFIND]

I think most of that is tongue in cheek yankee ribbin'.

As was mine. I'm just south of the Mason Dixon line but I understand both sides of it AND I have a bit of Native American blood in me somewhere AND my chest still wells up when I hear the "Blowin' of the Pipes". LOL So, ya see, I just like to play sometimes. Yet, some, are still upset over what happened in the past. Such a waste of feelings.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Old Dude]

I agree, Whad. If you follow this belief, I should be hung for treason for living with an English lady, lol. The past is past...never forget our history but live for the future.


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[markp]

nice digs and nice nice quote

 

[Davers]

Great thread ..
Tho "some" think i,m weird
But I Cherish every Squashed minie , Common Eagle button "cheap" 3 ringer I dig as much as the C.S.A. plate that I've
(never Dug).
And if your into Relic Hunting for the Money , you might as well Quit and Strictly hunt the Beaches , lakes ,Parks etc, for
jewelry. ( That,s fun to though).
Davers

 

[thrillathahunt]

Nice finds indeed! You guys are fortunate to be able hunt in that area. The camps I find are usually reconstruction era (union). Though many of the relics are similar, it is just not the same. But you are right, it's the "thrill of the hunt", along with the history and the mystery.

 

[flatbutton]

Yes I am. Stonewall Brigade, Camp #1296.

I was a member of the Rains Brothers camp # 1370 Until it dissolved years ago. In fact, they made my brother the treasurer. Out of curiosity, I logged on to the North Carolina division website, and apparently the camp is back up and running! SWEET! I'll def. be in contact with the camp commander! Thanks again for the awesome post, mr.b

 

[Valley Ranger]

I was a member of the Rains Brothers camp # 1370 Until it dissolved years ago. In fact, they made my brother the treasurer. Out of curiosity, I logged on to the North Carolina division website, and apparently the camp is back up and running! SWEET! I'll def. be in contact with the camp commander! Thanks again for the awesome post, mr.b

You're welcome Mr. B.

 

[JohnnyRebCSA]

Yet, some, are still upset over what happened in the past. Such a waste of feelings.

The horrors of government that are cast upon us today are the result of that war. Making what is wrong a right and attempting to force the citizens to accept it against their will, countering what is right by legislating it as wrong and outright attempts by government to brainwash its citizens through the use of the liberal media are all brought upon us by the very thing the South fought against.....absolute and total control of the states, and citizens, by the federal government. How do you call this a waste of feelings?

Oops! We're gonna get away from detecting discussing our enemies in Washington.

 

[CSA2K]

I first read this with the emphasis on Recent War for Southern Independence and thought oh god here we go again!

Nice haul!

 

[Davers]

The horrors of government that are cast upon us today are the result of that war. Making what is wrong a right and attempting to force the citizens to accept it against their will, countering what is right by legislating it as wrong and outright attempts by government to brainwash its citizens through the use of the liberal media are all brought upon us by the very thing the South fought against.....absolute and total control of the states, and citizens, by the federal government. How do you call this a waste of feelings?

Oops! We're gonna get away from detecting discussing our enemies in Washington.

Hmmmmmmmmm

 

[jamesbibb]

I'll tell ya, I dig a lot of camps and even though the lead is usually dropped and there is more brass
Relics from an engagement mean a lot more to me personally
Very nice finds

 

[Valley Ranger]

I'll tell ya, I dig a lot of camps and even though the lead is usually dropped and there is more brass
Relics from an engagement mean a lot more to me personally
Very nice finds

Hey James, thanks. Other than organized digs, I've never dug in camp areas, but have had the opportunity to dig a few battle sites (private property) here in VA. I've always wanted to dig a nice camp (other than organized). I've recently discovered 2 locations and hope to get permission this year. We'll see. "The grass is always greener . . . "