Civil War camp

[Hillbilly Prince]

I have permission to search an area where was a Confederate camp. But the exact spot is not known to me. There is a flat area at the base of a ridge.
Where were camps set up? I'm thinking you would have a lookout on the ridge but the main camp would be on the floor. Although in case of attack you would want to be on top. This is how it looks with the ridge to the right. There is a creek about two miles on.

 

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[fyrffytr1]

Just my way of thinking but I would want to be close to a fresh water source and up out of any flood plain.

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Didn't think of that. I need to get back there and explore farther. Maybe it would be good to get on the banks of the creek if I can find out who owns the land.
I've been told the soldiers would have a trench for a latrine and throw some of those big old musket balls in because they got tired of the weight.

 

[devldog]

Hey HP, also when you check this area, around the tops of the ridge look closely to see if you notice any small indentions in the ground in the form of a half moon. These would be what was called Rifle Pits that a soldier could lie behind sort of like a real small trench with earth piled in front of the soldier. I would start out hunting the ridge and slowly work my way down to the lower flat ground. Best of Luck to you.

 

[Ripcon]

I would suggest starting your search at the ridge top. Good luck!

 

[Rookster]

Good looking spot. Good luck.

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Hey HP, also when you check this area, around the tops of the ridge look closely to see if you notice any small indentions in the ground in the form of a half moon. These would be what was called Rifle Pits that a soldier could lie behind sort of like a real small trench with earth piled in front of the soldier. I would start out hunting the ridge and slowly work my way down to the lower flat ground. Best of Luck to you.

That is great info and a real help. Thanks! You gave me an idea. There are photos of the battlefields online. So I thought there are probably photos of camp life. Here is a link to a site I found after a couple of minutes which is pretty neat. Maybe some books out there as well.

https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/photosmultimedia/then-and-now.htm

 

[releventchair]

Where would you keep horses there? There is open ground to keep them grazing on picket pins.
Those trees may not have been on the ridge back then.
Shade ,depending on the weather ; would have been appreciated.

Two miles seems quite a ways for water. Unless another force was on the creek...

History of troop movement might sort out how long they actually camped there. Or if it was just a brief rest.

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

I would suggest starting your search at the ridge top. Good luck!

Thanks! My brother got a signal with his old Tesoro about fifty feet off the peak of the ridge and we dug a bunch of old melted lead. So I am thinking we can find more.

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Good looking spot. Good luck.

Thanks Rook. Appreciated

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Where would you keep horses there? There is open ground to keep them grazing on picket pins.
Those trees may not have been on the ridge back then.
Shade ,depending on the weather ; would have been appreciated.

Two miles seems quite a ways for water. Unless another force was on the creek...

History of troop movement might sort out how long they actually camped there. Or if it was just a brief rest.

All good points. I try to put my mind in the heads of the men. Missouri is an oven in summer around here-got to have water, shade, grazing. Got to do some homework on this one. I did not spot any big old trees
in our short visit.

 

[releventchair]

All good points. I try to put my mind in the heads of the men. Missouri is an oven in summer around here-got to have water, shade, grazing. Got to do some homework on this one. I did not spot any big old trees
in our short visit.

Stumps count.
Field may have been cleared post war too...

IF the ridge was used to create a screen to conceal troops and stock from a nearby main route at the time ,what side of the ridge would have been the concealed side?

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Stumps count.
Field may have been cleared post war too...

IF the ridge was used to create a screen to conceal troops and stock from a nearby main route at the time ,what side of the ridge would have been the concealed side?

I'll have to look again at a map of troop positions at the time the fighting for Missouri was going on but as I recall the side in the photo is where I think they would have been with the expectation of Union to the North. The old road would have ran North and East of the ridge top. Expected attacks would come generally from the North I think.
Horses picketed on the flat area with troops on the ridge. Think the land was cleared as that is the rule in a lot of Missouri.

 

[Worm-Slicer]

I would first try to see if I could locate old roadbeds (if I couldn't find an actual Civil War era map). These can sometimes be tricky to see, especially in summertime, but look for deep gullies and you'll know it's an original roadbed if you detect it as you will find horseshoes all along it. Water sources would be next then I would look for suitable flat areas, slightly elevated with good drainage. If that doesn't work, I would look for suitable flat areas that are farther from water. Most were, but not all camps were located near water. I've read accounts of soldiers having to walk a mile or more from camp to get water. In my opinion, though, original roads are the number one way of locating campsites.

 

[gsxraddict]

try the back side of the hill away from where the enemy would be. I find they often used the face of the hills as cover but they stayed on the sides of them.

 

[1320]

If I were in your shoes, I would first research the camp, just to make sure I'm not on a wild goose chase. Make sure it exists AND lies in your target area. It would be very important to determine: 1. How often it was used. 2. How many troops would have occupied the camp. 3. How long were the camp durations.

There are tons of camps out there that only saw a one or two day duration with a small number of troops. These camps are incredibly hard to find because the target area is very small and not enough time to drop many items.

If your research proves that large numbers of troops were encamped over a larger period of time, your odds get so much better. Best of luck!

 

[Davers]

Didn't think of that. I need to get back there and explore farther. Maybe it would be good to get on the banks of the creek if I can find out who owns the land.
I've been told the soldiers would have a trench for a latrine and throw some of those big old musket balls in because they got tired of the weight.

Yep ...You never know , Go for it! & Good Luck.

 

[Davers]

Thanks! My brother got a signal with his old Tesoro about fifty feet off the peak of the ridge and we dug a bunch of old melted lead. So I am thinking we can find more.

CW Period Camp Lead is a good sign. & If y'all got a bunch of it W/O finding many other relics , my 'GUESS / OPINION' is it's been hunted before or like all Smart Confederates they wasted little.

Also my opinion I y'all or you search the whole area low & slow , grid the best you can the relics will show up.
GL
Mr HBP.