Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska
New member
Went over near the Battle of Sailor's Creek; Sailor's Creek was the last major battle of the Civil War. It wasn't Lee's finest moment. Basically, the far superior-numbered Union army had been on Lee's tail for days. Lee's army numbered about 30,000, he was in desperate need for supplies and food for his men. Every time he tried to get to a rail station where the supply train was supposed to meet him, the Union army was too close and the train had to leave, and go to the next station, forcing Lee to continue his march westward to try and catch the train (the Union army finally caught the train at Appomattox, and captured all of Lee's food, ammo and supplies, forcing Lee to surrender).
Anyway, back to Sailor's Creek. Lee's army was moving fast; the Union army caught up with them at Sailor's Creek, where there were quite a few spread out battles. Unfortunately for Lee, his army took one road, and his supply wagons mistakinly took another road leaving Lee's army with no supply support. Many of the soldiers ran out of bullets and powder. They resorted to some of the most vicious hand-to-hand combat chronicled during the Civil War. The Union army captured over 6,000 Confederate troops who were unable to continue fighting, plus nearly 3,000 killed or deserted. That left Lee with about 20,000 near starved and exhausted men.
The remainder of Lee's army was dispersed all over the place, and pretty much running for their lives. They knew they had to get to High Bridge (a railroad bridge and wagon bridge across the Appomattox River) and on to Farmville, Virginia.
[attachment 20303 field.jpg]
Where I was hunting today would be pretty much in direct line towards High Bridge from the battle site areas. This is the place where I found over 35 bullets, 3 buttons, artillary fuses, etc. Today I tried hunting further from the road towards the back of the property.
[attachment 20304 bullet.jpg]
After about 20 min., I hit my first good find, a dropped 3 ring Confederate bullet... no, unfortunately its not a Confederate belt plate, but it does beat a jab in the eye with a sharp stick!
[attachment 20305 Leebrass.jpg]
My next find was 10" deep; it was caked with dirt, and I recognized it as a possible artillary fuse. But after cleaning it off, its nothing more than a brass fitting for a gas line... hey, at least its got "Lee" stamped on it.
I went down to the little creek, and found a small toy gun that some desperado dropped 50 or 60 years ago. The photo was too blurry to post. With that, I give you my parting shot.
Vernon
Anyway, back to Sailor's Creek. Lee's army was moving fast; the Union army caught up with them at Sailor's Creek, where there were quite a few spread out battles. Unfortunately for Lee, his army took one road, and his supply wagons mistakinly took another road leaving Lee's army with no supply support. Many of the soldiers ran out of bullets and powder. They resorted to some of the most vicious hand-to-hand combat chronicled during the Civil War. The Union army captured over 6,000 Confederate troops who were unable to continue fighting, plus nearly 3,000 killed or deserted. That left Lee with about 20,000 near starved and exhausted men.
The remainder of Lee's army was dispersed all over the place, and pretty much running for their lives. They knew they had to get to High Bridge (a railroad bridge and wagon bridge across the Appomattox River) and on to Farmville, Virginia.
[attachment 20303 field.jpg]
Where I was hunting today would be pretty much in direct line towards High Bridge from the battle site areas. This is the place where I found over 35 bullets, 3 buttons, artillary fuses, etc. Today I tried hunting further from the road towards the back of the property.
[attachment 20304 bullet.jpg]
After about 20 min., I hit my first good find, a dropped 3 ring Confederate bullet... no, unfortunately its not a Confederate belt plate, but it does beat a jab in the eye with a sharp stick!
[attachment 20305 Leebrass.jpg]
My next find was 10" deep; it was caked with dirt, and I recognized it as a possible artillary fuse. But after cleaning it off, its nothing more than a brass fitting for a gas line... hey, at least its got "Lee" stamped on it.
I went down to the little creek, and found a small toy gun that some desperado dropped 50 or 60 years ago. The photo was too blurry to post. With that, I give you my parting shot.
Vernon
