Uncovering the Past: A Guide to Civil War Battlefield Detecting
Introduction:
Metal detecting is a fascinating hobby that allows us to uncover hidden treasures from the past. One of the most exciting places to detect is on Civil War battlefields. These sites are rich with history and artifacts waiting to be discovered.
In this DIY-style post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Civil War battlefield detecting, including what equipment you’ll need, where to look for relics, and how to properly identify and preserve your finds.
Equipment:
Before heading out into the field, it’s essential to have the right equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Metal detector: A high-quality metal detector is crucial for successful relic hunting on Civil War battlefields. Look for one with advanced features such as discrimination settings that can help you distinguish between iron junk and valuable targets like bullets or buttons.
2. Digging tools: You’ll need digging tools such as a shovel or trowel to excavate targets once they’re detected by your metal detector.
3. Headphones: Headphones are important because they allow you to hear faint signals from your detector without interference from outside noise.
4. Protective gear: When exploring Civil War battlefields, it’s best practice always to wear gloves in case of sharp objects like nails or broken glass lying around.
5. Pouches/containers: To keep all of your findings organized while in the field, it’s best practice always to carry pouches or containers along with them.
Where To Look For Relics:
Civil War relics can be found almost anywhere on a battlefield site but there are some areas more promising than others:
1) The Campsites- The campsites were an area where soldiers would spend most of their time when not fighting; therefore, this spot was used quite often by them.
2) Natural Barriers- Natural barriers like creeks and streams were commonly used by soldiers as sources of water during battles.
3) The Ground Between Trenches- This area was a significant point of contention between the opposing sides, and therefore, many artifacts could be found here.
4) The Fringes of Battlefields- This area is an excellent place to scan for relics as it’s where soldiers would retreat to when they needed relief from the frontlines.
Identifying Your Finds:
Once you’ve located something using your metal detector, it’s essential to identify what you’ve found. Here are some tips:
1) Buttons- Civil War uniform buttons were typically made out of brass or copper and had different markings depending on which branch of service they belonged to.
2) Bullets- Bullets come in various shapes and sizes that can help determine their age and origin. Minié balls were commonly used during the Civil War; these projectiles were conical shaped with three rings around them.
3) Canteens- Union canteens were usually made out of tin while Confederate canteens were made out of wood or leather.
Preserving Your Finds:
When digging up artifacts from a Civil War battlefield site, it’s important always to keep preservation in mind:
1) Clean Gently: Use a nonabrasive soap like dishwashing liquid to clean your finds gently. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing that can damage or alter the artifact’s appearance.
2) Store Properly: When not displaying your findings at home, store them in acid-free tissue paper and plastic containers away from direct sunlight that can cause discoloration over time.
Conclusion:
Civil war battlefield detecting offers an exciting opportunity for relic hunting enthusiasts who want to explore history through metal detecting. By following these guidelines on equipment selection, relic detection areas identification, find identification techniques & preservation methods – we hope this post has helped prepare you for successful & responsible exploration into the past!