Some more civil war lead and others

[bearbqd]

Well, I got back out to the same place that I found the three ringers the other day. I hunted around some different areas and came up with these good finds. I also found my best condition IH yet. It's a 1901 and it cleaned up very well after these pictures were taken. It has excellent detail and no scratches. The ear ring piece is junk found down by the river. I'm gonna hit this place more often before it gets battlefield status and I won't be able to hunt it anymore. Thanks for looking.

 

[bearbqd]

Here's a few more. You can't tell it well, but two of the shots are of a cool gorge there. I also found some deep caves on the bluffs that I am going back to explore. Also across the street by the river is the old mill. I have an illustration from the newspaper of 1862 when this battle occurred. It shows the troops crossing the river at the mill from the vantage point of the Union Army firing at them from the other side of the river. You can see that the front of it is decimated by graffiti from the local college students.

Oh yeah, something really cool happened too. Right as I start detecting, this lady pulls up and asks if I have permission. Knowing this is public land I ask "from whom?" She then ignores that and tells me that she owns the farm at the end of the street and that people are always trying to get on her property to detect. I told her I have an extra detector and she would be welcome to hunt with me there if she let me detect. I also threw in that I had just gotten back from Iraq and that made me a shoe in. She is a big supporter of the troops and she said I could have first dibs. She got my name and number and she's gonna call me soon to come out there. How cool is that?

 

[bearbqd]

Wow, a hundred views and no replies? I thought you guys loved civil war stuff. I guess I'll respond myself. "Wow Bearbqd, those are some neat finds and cool history". Why thank you Bearbqd, that's very nice of you to say so." "Why don't mention it at all". "Oh but I must."" You are too kind."........yeah, I'm bored.

 

[CRUSADER]

I'll reply.

Looks like your in the right spot. Keep hoovering them up.

 

[cwdigger]

Looks like an awsome place to hunt, like the indy, congrats on the finds.

HH

 

[Missouri_John]

I'll never get tired of seeing people's pics and stories. Great job

 

[brnn53]

Hey, I just now saw this post and I always try to reply to CW stuff. You are in a great area for CW relics but, you know that already. I think you are extremely lucky to have gotten permission from that lady and I hope it pays off for you! Nice finds as usual and if you need any help..... just kidding . Be sure and keep us posted and thanks for your TOD over "there".
Mike

 

[diggummup]

Nice finds bearbqd. I wish I was up in your area. Lots of history in your parts. You live in Shepherdstown? Your post and photos prompted me to google a few things and here is what I came up with in case your interested.http://shepherdstownriverfront.org/index.html The "riverfront history" link is interesting. Here is some good reading about the battle of Shepherdstown-http://www.historynet.com/magazines/american_civil_war/3035526.html. More-http://www.civilwaralbum.com/antietam/blackfords_ford1.htm. Here's some history during the Colonial times in this area-http://training.fws.gov/history/PropertyHistory/historyb.html. You probably already know much of this stuff if you live there, but I figured i'd post the links anyway just in case you want to take a look.Good luck and I hope you find a nice virgin CW campsite. I'm envious.

 

[{Sentinel}]

I give you much respect for taking the time to take these photos of each board and pictures of the surrounding area. It leaves me in awe thinking about standing in places like that and knowing that some 145 years ago that a play of gigantic proportions was being played out on that VERY SAME GROUND. I can almost close my eyes and see all those men!! Makes me PROUD! What doesnt make me proud though is to see that Vandalism on the side of the mill.....That is a real tragedy and a shame that it has been spray painted. The bad part is the kids who did it probably didnt know the history of the place or if they did they just DIDN'T care....Makes me sick....

Great post, nice relics, beautiful photos. Thanks!!

 

[civilman1]

Hey Bear....I know exactly where you're at,I hunt right up the road from you across the river in Sharpsburg.You really have to work for the find's now....most is on private property but it can be had!!!Nice's find's....Love em all,nothing but History.Congrat's and HH!!

 

[ModernMiner]

Bearbqd,
Thanks for the great post and pictures. What a great looking spot.
Congrats on the relics & IH. I got the CW relic bug bad now.
-MM-

 

[Digginman]

Great finds and research bearbqd. Sounds like a great area to hunt, and gonna have dibs on private property.......Sweet!!!! I know where this is, beautiful area.

Thanks for sharing your day.

DM

 

[Mona Lisa]

Wow, a hundred views and no replies? I thought you guys loved civil war stuff. I guess I'll respond myself. "Wow Bearbqd, those are some neat finds and cool history". Why thank you Bearbqd, that's very nice of you to say so." "Why don't mention it at all". "Oh but I must."" You are too kind."........yeah, I'm bored.

LOL, Bear!

Sometimes it takes awhile for a thread to get started for some reason. Your technique of replying to your own thread looks like it worked.

Thanks for the great pictures....especially the foundation/cellarhole pictures. I'm obsessed with cellarholes....and love to see them in other parts of the country. Thanks!

 

[shootist]

Really great pictures,Im suprised you are able to hunt the area at all.Ive always assumed that when you see a historical marker type sign you can just forget about hunting it. When the 'nosey neighbor' pulled up I was quite certain your story would include a visit from the law. It sucks those snot nosed brats have defaced that old mill like that,I would really love to see a scan of that pic with the army retreating right by the mill. Ive noticed your posts from Iraq and was quite suprised when I saw you were out hunting,are you home on leave or all finished up? I agree that you should get out there and pound that area every chance you get and maybe enlist some help,the private lands will always be there where the public lands wont,HH...Shoot

 

[Capt Jack]

Bearbqd,
Wellcome back man!
Great pic's I like the hist. markers love to read CW stuff lucky you can hunt the same area as all that history took place in.
Thanks for sharing.HH
Crusty

 

[ivan salis]

great spot the area looks good get it while the getting good --spots are being shut off daily it seems -- we lost a great spot near my home -- camp milton in nassau county , fla-- it got "historical status"-- by by metal detecting -- damn shame it was one of the largest steady used confederate encampment sites in florida

I know where camp cooper is but dang if I'm telling the state boys -- they'd just shut it down to -- by the way-- camp milton has no real easily visible stuff above ground -- it just dirt lot with a few smallish earth work type rises on it --now you have to be a PHD with a research permit to dig there. damn shame

 

[bearbqd]

Nice finds bearbqd. I wish I was up in your area. Lots of history in your parts. You live in Shepherdstown? Your post and photos prompted me to google a few things and here is what I came up with in case your interested.http://shepherdstownriverfront.org/index.html The "riverfront history" link is interesting. Here is some good reading about the battle of Shepherdstown-http://www.historynet.com/magazines/american_civil_war/3035526.html. More-http://www.civilwaralbum.com/antietam/blackfords_ford1.htm. Here's some history during the Colonial times in this area-http://training.fws.gov/history/PropertyHistory/historyb.html. You probably already know much of this stuff if you live there, but I figured i'd post the links anyway just in case you want to take a look.Good luck and I hope you find a nice virgin CW campsite. I'm envious.

Hey, thanks for those. I learned a heck of a lot more than I originally knew. Great links.

Really great pictures,Im suprised you are able to hunt the area at all.Ive always assumed that when you see a historical marker type sign you can just forget about hunting it. When the 'nosey neighbor' pulled up I was quite certain your story would include a visit from the law. It sucks those snot nosed brats have defaced that old mill like that,I would really love to see a scan of that pic with the army retreating right by the mill. Ive noticed your posts from Iraq and was quite suprised when I saw you were out hunting,are you home on leave or all finished up? I agree that you should get out there and pound that area every chance you get and maybe enlist some help,the private lands will always be there where the public lands wont,HH...Shoot

Yeah, it's upsetting about the graffiti. It wasn't like that a year ago before I was deployed. I'll find a link for that illustration and get back to you. I'm back for good (for now) from deployment. I have another year and two months before I get out. No reinlistment for me.

Thanks for all the other feedback everyone. I thought my own response might get you going, lol.

 

[karib2517]

you got yourself a very good spot there.