Tennessee Trip

[Woodland Detectors]

I just got back from a little trip I took to TN. To visit the folks and decided to venture out to find some future spots. I didn't find a heck of a lot but, I got to see some great Civil war encampments and walk where the troops did. The spot visited is very hard to get permission to detect due to past irresponsible detectorists and local folks who just don't respect the land. I met up with a friend who owns some property near a Union Civil war camp. Both Union and Confederate soldiers camped very close to each other here and I was told of a story by my friend, that the Confederates had a plan to attack the Union soldiers down the hill from the fort which is now destroyed, with traces of trenches still visible where I stood listening to the story. Not many folks get this chance to see this particular spot due to looting and holes from detectorists left undug. It's not even marked with any signs. My friend continued with the story telling me about how the Confederates quietly sneaked through the dark cool woods to employ the sneak attack. Standing from the hill where the fort stood my friend pointed to where the Union camp was saying "you could see the Union sildier fires at night from the fort". Continuing the story he told me that the troops were very close to start the attack when suddenly a confederate soldier "tripped and fell causing his firearm to discharge alerting the resting Union troops of the Confederates sloppy plan. The Confederate troops were then "chased " all the way back up the hill by Union soldiers. Below are the some photos taken of this spot and others taken in Knoxville where a brand new battle site was just discovered. I spoke with the construction crew that had found it saying it was pretty deep and full of trash. A detectorist may never had found it. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/sep/05/civil-war-battle-site-found-ut-sorority/ HHHH

 

[Woodland Detectors]

VERY nice..

Hopefully you get to hit that other site.

As far as the "blowing an ambush due to discharge' story, that is VERY plausible.

This is the reason a LOT of commanders would order no loading of weapons and "bayonets only" on a covert march or movement to contact.

For good reason.

 

[Ricky1601 aka pull tab king]

awesome finds and love the fall color. thanks for sharing hh

 

[seger98]

Hey Mike, what's the thing just to the right of the pocket knife? Nice finds!

 

[rjw4law]

done good.

 

[Rusted_Iron]

Beautiful pics, 4-H. What a great looking area.

 

[thrillathahunt]

4-H

That's some dad gum good stuff there bud!

 

[lonewolfe]

WoW!

HH

 

[Tenn-Coinhunter]

I am glad you came home to visit your family and friends. That allowed lots of people the opportunity to view the pictures of our beautiful scenery here in Tennessee. It is a shame that a few relic hunters here in the Knoxville area have ruined the opportunity for the remainder of the good hunters to detect and recover pieces of our history. Next time you visit the area give me a shout and I will see if we can get together for some hunting. In the mean time you are always welcome to visit our local club web site and forums. We meet the second Monday of each month. Our Club web site is Http://www.smartstreasureclub.com Stop by for a visit and sign up for a forum membership.

Ralph coinhunter@charter.net

 

[mlayers]

Look like a great place 4-H plus you got some neat finds. I am headed to Nashville New Years I hope to get some detecting in while I am there also.....Matt

 

[Tnmountains]

Hey 4-H
Nice Tn hunt. I am glad that McClung museum in Knoxville will get the items from the link. Its a good museum @Big Orange.
Since you touched on the subject,,,
Its amazing the destruction relic hunters have done in Knoxville and especially here in Chattanooga and roundabouts. You can have a good site with permission on private land and come back in a week and it will look like its been shelled with all the dug holes by relic looters.
Its an obsession with many. The shame is its their relics you see on the cover of relic magazines and at booths at trade shows. Its all for sell.. They find a site and dig. I have repaired several fields so it could be mowed again. They ruin it for many. Grrrrrrrrrr.
This area is riddled with trenches. A civil war supply line and retreat old wagon road runs through my back yard. A major battle was fought where my house stands. Its what much of this area was a battlefield camp.
Great post and sorry for rambling. Hope you get to hunt in this area again.
Great post 4-H as always
HH
TnMountains

 

[FortBedfordbob]

Looks like you had a Blast ! Good weather and some nice finds Congrats BB

 

[treasurehound]

I live near Knoxville and it saddens me when I hear stories of the way people destroy property and ruin it for those of us who truely are respectful. I too belong to the Knoxville club as Coinhunter pointed out and I have heard the same stories in our meeting. I wish they would get caught. Looks like you had a great time and next time you visit our city please let us know and we can treat you to a hunt.

 

[JerV3]

Nice finds man

That is some beautiful land there. Would take a long time to cover all that ground

HH Jer

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Hey Mike, what's the thing just to the right of the pocket knife? Nice finds!

It's a cut out piece of lead with the impression of a half dollar.

 

[allen]

the scenery alone made it worth the trip !!!

 

[extractor]

Beautiful scenery and great digs .

 

[Silver Searcher]

Great pictures of that fabuous countryside Mike and it looks like you did alright to me

SS

 

[kuger]

Neat post Thanks!!!That problem exists everywhere,and is the bane of my existance!Because of that fact in my area,I do not post the majority of my finds,as I dont need anymore "Looters",looking for a quick buck at my expense.I dont know what it will take to fix that problem aside from prosecuting to the full extent of the law?Every year it is harder and harder for me to gain permission on new areas because of bad apples!

 

[Tnmountains]

Is that the Tennessee River in your pictures? Great photography
HH
TnMtns