Solo Hunt at 2 U.S. CW Picket Posts Nets Carved Bullet & More

VOL1266-X · Nov 4, 2013

Last Friday, I hunted a U.S. picket post and dug a couple of .69 cal. 3 ringers and two modern coins. Today, I searched a high hill that would have been ideal for a picket post. It was unproductive so I moved to a ridge where I had dug picket post relics before. After digging 2 .58s, I was surprised to dig a carved bullet as shown in the pic with the white background. As I say in the short video, I told Zaxfire (David) from Mississippi that we dig a nice carved bullet (not just whittled on) here about one out of 150-200 bullets. I keep relic records and my last good carved bullet was dug 11-27-12 (shown on blue background) . That was 343 CW relics ago with the vast majority of those relics being bullets. As to what the soldier had in mind, you be the judge. I don’t think any of the Indiana or Ohio soldiers stationed here ever saw a lighthouse-LOL. Enjoy the short video and as soon as some late crops are harvested the Trio will be back in action at some new sites. HH, Quindy.

ModernMiner · Nov 4, 2013

Q-
Way to go on the CW lead. :hello2:

I'm diggin' that carved bullet. I think it's a Yankee ear plug. Our side got tired of hearing, "go home ya #@&% Yankee's" so we decided to start using the lead ear plugs. I bet that's a bit of CW history you never knew. :tongue3:

First time I saw that case of carved bullets. Beautiful Buddy! :thumbsup:

Hope to hunt with the Tenn Trio soon once my eye heals. @@
Keep shooting those videos!
-DUHg-

Breezie · Nov 4, 2013

Way to go Q on finding a carved bullet! :icon_thumright:

I'm thinking it looks like a chess pawn, although I like MM ear plug idea better! As far as the 11-27-12 carved bullet is concerned, I'll keep my thoughts to myself on that one! :laughing7:

Breezie

CASPER-2 · Nov 4, 2013

zaxfire69 · Nov 4, 2013

That is a nice haul Q! Those two carved bullets are in great shape. Thinking back I believe I have only dug one .69 Cal bullet. It was flattened on one side. It was a short stubby bullet. Most all I dig at my two sites are .58 and .54 cal. I dig a lot of carbine bullets..Mostly Sharps. I'm about to watch your video. I would like to one day take a ride up your way and go hunting with you. You have an open invite if you are ever in my neck of the woods! HH Zax!

Brian W · Nov 4, 2013

That is so cool...Did they use carved bullets as game pieces?

Tnmountains · Nov 4, 2013

Yep it's an ear plug. I have some orange ones just like it on a string. :tongue3:

You are a relic digging machine. 21 more days until the anniversary of the battle on my hill.
Good hunts Q I enjoy the videos. Nice recoveries!

winslow · Nov 4, 2013

Love your carved bullet!

VOL1266-X · Nov 4, 2013

Brian W said:
That is so cool...Did they use carved bullets as game pieces?

They reportedly did Brian-especially for chess. Note the round one in my CB display box in the video. I think that was either a poker chip or even used as a checker. Thanks for looking, Q.

Valley Ranger · Nov 4, 2013

Nice digs there Q! I'm still waitin' for the farmers to cut the corn in 2 sites I plan to hunt any day. Went on a little hunt last week. I'll post some photos soon as the vinegar is through doing its work.

Nana40 · Nov 4, 2013

Great going, Q! Are you sure that's going into your collection...or has Kathy spotted it yet? :laughing7:

Always exciting stuff coming out of Tennessee! WTG!
Nana

JohnnyRebCSA · Nov 4, 2013

Do you just take a guess where a picket post would be due to the topography?

VOL1266-X · Nov 4, 2013

That's what I use JR-high ground. The proximity to the camp will be a quarter mile or less. In the case of cavalry or vedettes (outriders), they can be up to half a mile. In any case, the camp must be capable of hearing a rifle shot in high winds and inclement weather. Tenn. digger taught me about "Chain Pickets" who must be in visible contact with each other in daylight. HH, Q.

Ifoundit69 · Nov 4, 2013

Job well done Quindy ,nice score ! :icon_thumright:

surf · Nov 4, 2013

Enjoyed the vid, and the history, Quindy. Thanks.

lighthouse-covered-in-ice-palace-cleveland-lake-erie-overview_30672_600x450.webp

Winter view near Cleveland, O.

tennessee digger · Nov 4, 2013

Once again, good job Quindy. I know the area that you found those in and it's tough hunting there......scattered. Love the carved bullet too. You did well. Maybe we can get out again one day soon.

TNGUNS · Nov 4, 2013

Good stuff Q, doing a bit of research on a potential CW site. Still have to get landowner permission to check it. You guys rock in Mid TN. :hello:

metalev4 · Nov 4, 2013

Nice carved bullets, more at that site for sure

nova treasure · Nov 4, 2013

Congrats on another carved Bullet,
I could only imagine me back in the day sitting on picket duty,being that i can never sit still and always need something to do to keep from getting bored. Lordy, I probably would had carved up all my bullets and remelted them just to start all over,lol.

VOL1266-X · Nov 5, 2013

ModernMiner said:
Q-
Way to go on the CW lead. I'm diggin' that carved bullet. I think it's a Yankee ear plug. Our side got tired of hearing, "go home ya #@&% Yankee's" so we decided to start using the lead ear plugs. I bet that's a bit of CW history you never knew.
First time I saw that case of carved bullets. Beautiful Buddy!
Hope to hunt with the Tenn Trio soon once my eye heals. @@
Keep shooting those videos!
-DUHg-

Thanks MM. You can take a taxi. Remember, the eye Dr. shouldn't ask you to turn your head & cough-LOL. HH, Q.
Well said Breezie-LOL. Thanks and you are a great i.d. source on relics (and antiques too). HH, Q.
Thanks Casper. HH, Q.
David, The .69s were used in the rifled 1842 Springfields early in the war. They were eventually replaced by the lighter and more accurate .58 cal. Springfields. Maybe we can hunt together sometime Bud. HH, Q.
Richard (tnmountains) as you know, my Great Grandfather was with the 8TH C.S.A. Infantry there. You may have dug a bullet he dropped in the many bullets you have dug there. HH, Q.
Thanks for looking Winslow & HH, Quindy.
Richard (Old Stonewall), I am looking forward to your post. You are waiting for the later than average crops to be harvested as well I see. HH, Q.
Nana, Kathy spotted it right off but knew that it was going into my box and not HER collection-LOL. HH to you & Lisa, Q.
Thanks IF69 and again, Congrats on the box plate you dug recently. HH, Q.
Surf, I had to be the cameraman today. I purposely don't show the terrain to prevent poaching. HH, Quindy.
Thanks Donnie (tenn. digger). You know the area really well. Let's go hunting soon. HH, Q.
TNGUNS, good luck on the new site. In Northern middle Tenn., we don't have the number of CSA camps like they do in Murfreesboro and farther South. As I have said in magazine articles, the good CSA accoutrement relics had not been issued in these early 1862 camps. HH, Q.
Thanks Metalev4. May be another carved one there but they were not in the area that long. HH, Q.
Bill (nova treasure), I have often thought about the boredom of being on picket duty myself. It poured rain and the wind was 25-30 mph here Halloween night. I thought about CW soldiers without Gore Tex clothes, no Frog Togg rain suits, etc. They got soaked often. People lived rough back then and no wonder so many died of disease. HH, Q.