CW camp next to the fort

[NolanTheExplorer]

I did all the research to identify an old former structure near my house. This Sunday I headed out to do a little recon and short hunt. The site is next to an old school (not OLD old-early 1900) but I knew there was some early 19[SUP]th[/SUP] century history there and was hoping for some old coins or CW relics. I geared up, locked the car, and made my way out to the field. I had noticed some construction prior and assumed I better do some hunting out there before they build more town houses (that’s all they build around here-parks are an afterthought..unless you’re talking about the BS dog “parks&#148. As I got closer I took a look at what was going on in the construction site and was surprised to see a vehicle with “City Archeologist” painted on the side. They beat me to it!! Haha. Most likely the city is doing a study prior to breaking ground on more of the aforementioned slapstick townhomes. I put the gear back in the trunk and headed to my fallback spot…the old fort.

This fort was built for the defense of Washington. Nearly all of these forts are now parks and do not allow detecting. This one, on the other hand, is on private property. Every person who has attempted to hunt at this location has been turned down by the homeowner-initially I was no different. His daughter asked me how in the heck I convinced her dad into letting me detect. I told her after an initial “"no,"” me and the old man struck up a conversation and found we each served in the Army and left at the rank of captain. We also knew a lot of this particular fort and the rich CW history of its surroundings. It only took two visits until he said to me “"stop calling to let me know you’re coming over-just come whenever you please.”" Not only am I lucky to hunt at this location, I have been lucky to get to know the owner as he'’s a good man.
Eventhough I’ve hunted the site a dozen times, I got lucky on this visit and stumbled on a hut site.
Some of the highlights of stumbling on the site (about 100 yds from the fort):
-pulling the nearly deteriorated bulls eye canteen out of the ground, followed by a period bottle directly under it (about two feet down).
-discovering the cut Minnie ball and cut musket ball. The Minnie back has knife marks and the three rings are whittled off and cut to look concave. It sits like a probable chess piece. The musket ball has a “dimple” on the inside indicative of someone running around it with a blade. War; long periods of boredom separated by bursts of adrenaline and excitement.
-first wormed cleaner
-hitting the cleaner hotspot!
I’m looking forward to returning to the old fort and continuing to recover the relics in that small 15ft x 15ft hotspot.
The coins and arrowhead are from another hunt along the river.
Any ideas on the lead coin that looks like Spanish silver? Found during a weekend hunt w ifoundit

 

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[wvwildman]

nice finds congrats HH

 

[Ifoundit69]

Way to go DHD ! Oh and the lead thing next to the eagle button with the bar in the middle is a dress weight ...

 

[BosnMate]

You have my attention. Nothing like that out here, so I'm eating my heart out. Good going and congrats on getting permission when nobody else has.

 

[BosnMate]

My mother's uncle, or my great grandfathers brother, George Truesdale, which I guess makes him a great Uncle to me, was a Lieutenant in the 151st Ohio, and they manned a fort around Washington, but I don't know which one. He started out as a private in the 81st, fought at Shiloh, was wounded at Corinth, discharged because of his wounds, then re-upped as a Lt. in the 151st specifically to protect Washington from a threat from Jubal Early. At least that's family tradition. So your detecting at the fort means a little more to me than other battle fields people hunt back there.

 

[John Boy]

To bad that archeologist beat ya to that spot,I'm sure there was some good stuff there to.But sounds like ya got permission to hunt a sweet spot there.cool relics buddy.Very nice

 

[rastinirv]

I'm probably in the same general area as you (DC region). While I understand you may not want to give up any spots, I'm curious to know where some spots along the Potomac are where one can detect. Anyhow, great finds!

 

[NolanTheExplorer]

I'm probably in the same general area as you (DC region). While I understand you may not want to give up any spots, I'm curious to know where some spots along the Potomac are where one can detect. Anyhow, great finds!

we're in an excellent area for everything from native american artifacts, to civil war relics, to coin hunting. you name it there's a place for it. make sure you're cognizant of what parks are national and what are not. also local park rules run on a city by city basis. the potomac river is a gem for metal detecting but be careful because much of it is national parkland. its all about the tides. i never bother hunting along the river during high or even level tides. Check the tide charts and hit the banks during low tide. If you have to knock on a door or two to get in a good place, don’t be afraid to do so. Just save a relic or two for the owner (don’t be greedy-it can be hard sometimes) and try not to rip up any well manicured lawns! If a homeowner asks “whats in it for me” or that sort of sentiment, I turn my back. like ifoundit and i often discuss; we metal detect because its fun and it’s a great opportunity to be outdoors, in nature, reflecting on history.....even a little self reflection at times. If youre new to the area (and paying top $ to metal detect is your sort of thing) consider doing one of those diggin' in virginia DIV hunts. I don’t believe in paying someone to metal detect (might as well go “hunt” on ebay) but i dont judge: different strokes for different folks. (additionally: I'm sure spending time out there w other MD's is pretty cool. I'm sure I would learn a thing or two)

 

[tennessee digger]

Excellent post. Looks like you are really on a great spot. Thanks for taking us along.

 

[Dug]

I can't speak for your area but I understand that many city/county governments have it written into code that before any site is constructed on, an 'archi" survey/sampling must be completed and signed off.

Nice finds by the way.

 

[Davers]

Great relics { I have not dug any cleaners in a couple years} love the "wormed one" Beautiful point, nice Walker & Barber coins as well ,Darn good job buddy.

 

[thrillathahunt]

You my friend are a very fortunate man. Field of dreams you have there. A situation many of us dream about!

 

[VaMark]

Nice Finds!

 

[JmCraz8]

Great story and saves!!!

 

[CASPER-2]

NICE HAUL