Civil War Buttons & Poisonous Snakes!

[Carolina Tom]

Let me start off by thanking TNet member and all around good guy, Bergie. He gets permission on these spots, and lets me hunt them. I wouldn’t have found any of this with him. Big thanks buddy.

I headed out early Friday morning, 3.5 hours later I found myself between Charleston and Savannah at a former plantation site. Bergie found a CSA button here, so I always think I can find one too, I never do.

The woods were full of delicious chanterelles but I wasn’t there for them.



I ran up on a copperhead, in a freshly bush hogged area.



I’m fairly competent in the woods, so I wasn’t scared, but I was careful. He is in the center of this pic, very well camouflaged.



I hunted for 6 hours, I didn’t find much, and headed to the hotel for a hot shower and dinner.

Headed back on Saturday morning early to hunt some more. I went back to the spot where I saw the snake, AND, there were TWO of them there sunning! Look close, there are two copperheads in that pic!



This seemed like a sign to get out of there!

Bergie suggested that I try another one of his nearby permissions, a spot where the Confederates had cannon. It’s extra nice because the owner cleared the underbrush with a bulldozer. We’ve been successful there before. I only had 3 hours before I needed to head home.



It’s near saltwater and full of nails, so difficult to detect. I was digging it all, iron included. The first 1.5 hours produced some period goodies.



I found this, thought it was an artillery fuse piece, but CBG says no. If you recognize it, let me know. Damn tractor parts.



The spot hadn’t given up any buttons. So I was extra excited when a two piece button showed up. Turned out to be a NY Excelsior button, lost by an invader during the Civil War.



BINGO! Bullets and buttons, I was happy to have finally found something good.

A few holes later, another 2 piece button came out of a hole with a couple of iron nails in it. This one was an eagle I button. A Williams type 3 was discarded nearby.



I was thrilled to have two complete CW buttons.



Alas it was time to go, I ended up with two .58 caliber three ringers, a fired Enfield, discarded cleaner, musket ball, pottery shards, iron spoon bowl, square nail, tractor part and the buttons. Here’s dirty and clean pics!



Thanks again Bergie.

Thanks for looking and good luck on your hunts!

 

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[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[bergie]

Fantastic- great finds and very glad the snakes didn’t get you. Those buttons cleaned up nicely too.
Glad you enjoyed the sites.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Nice finds! Don't know what the tractor part is... it kind of reminds me of some kind of shaft bearing, but not whole. Nice pictures of the copperheads! Thanks for posting!

 

[devldog]

C.T., Congrat's on a nice hunt and some very nice saves on C.W. History. Well Done on the bullets and buttons. These will look great in your display. Glad you had your eye out for those Copperheads. Dang No Shoulders!

 

[Scrappy]

Way to go Tom. I miss our hunts buddy. Hope to see you soon

 

[jewelerguy]

great finds. Yikes on the poison wigglers

 

[Xraywolf]

Great finds, takes some balls to detect in those conditions ,, I presume you wear some stout leggings/boots ?

 

[Calabash Digger]

Congrats!!

 

[Louie D]

Wow - nice adventure! I'm surprised Copperheads are still out this late in the year.

 

[ScriptRhythm]

Thank-you for the great presentation. Nice finds, congrats!

 

[treblehunter]

Cool stuff bud, miss hunting with ya. I've been out some, late harvest on the soybeans, I reckon the election has them waiting on higher prices. A lot of my fields were corn this year, not impossible but I'm spoiled I want soybean or grass, lol
GL & HH
Brad

 

[washingtonian]

Awesome stuff CT, way to bring the history to light!!

 

[Calabash Digger]

I wear Snake Boots year round here in the Low Country..

 

[Carolina Tom]

C.T., Congrat's on a nice hunt and some very nice saves on C.W. History. Well Done on the bullets and buttons. These will look great in your display. Glad you had your eye out for those Copperheads. Dang No Shoulders!

Thanks DD. Here is the display from the 2 hunts at the Confederate cannon spot, it’s a small spot, maybe 60’ x 60’ with lots of iron.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Fantastic- great finds and very glad the snakes didn’t get you. Those buttons cleaned up nicely too.
Glad you enjoyed the sites.

Thanks so much buddy. I hope to see YOU soon.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Way to go Tom. I miss our hunts buddy. Hope to see you soon

I will see you & Treblehunter as soon as the virus settles down. Miss all you guys.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Great finds, takes some balls to detect in those conditions ,, I presume you wear some stout leggings/boots ?

Never in my life had snake boots or gaiters on! A bit foolhardy probably, however I’ve been around snakes all of my life and try to be really careful, especially in the Southern woods. I’ve caught and relocated several copperheads from my neighborhood. I like the snakes and am not afraid of them, just like a gun or chainsaw, you just have to be careful.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Cool stuff bud, miss hunting with ya. I've been out some, late harvest on the soybeans, I reckon the election has them waiting on higher prices. A lot of my fields were corn this year, not impossible but I'm spoiled I want soybean or grass, lol
GL & HH
Brad

Hang in there buddy, I’ll see you soon!

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice finds and snake photos too!