Dirk Diggler
Established Users
I started metal detecting an area on an isolated river bank that showed signs of an old house. There are several piles of stone and old brick laying on the ground. I was figuring I might find an old coin or two and was surprised when I dug a scabbard tip followed by a plain eagle shield button and a federal staff button. I didn't have time to search the area long and made a trip back to it this past weekend. I found the tongue portion to a virginia style CS buckle, and just feet away found a US buckle and a keeper to I'm guessing a federal sword buckle. I also found the lid to a period coffee boilier (billie cup), and an 1863 indian head cent. I believe from the location of this site and that fact that the river is shallow at this location, that it was a river ford that was used to skirt a major mountain gap and ferry crossing that was used during the civil war just a few miles upstream. I'm guessing that after a ride down the mountain side the soldiers would camp before making there way on accross the river, perhaps sorting through there equipment and pitching was no longer of use. I have metal detected two previous campsites in the past and it seems that I find 6-10 bullets for every 1 other type of keeper relic. At this site I haven't yet dug a single bullet. Due to my limited expierence MDing civil war sites, can someone give my an explanation as to why no bullets would have been dropped at this site?