Local Finds
2014 Relic Finds- I took Lee Alexander
and Scotty Russell to a Plantation near Vicksburg. Lee found part of a
CS Buckle & a Rare CS Staff Officer Button
. Scotty dug a
Wisconsin Button. Collin Maley, James Fox, and I hunted a new site near
Vicksburg. I located the site and Collin got permisssion. James scouted
and found the first relics. Team effort. James found an Officer Button,
cool Snake Ring, and a Soldier altered Flower Button. Collin dug a 24
pd. Cannister bottom, Miss. Sabor/Bayonet Hilt, and a large piece of
lead with a brass hook. I dug a variety of Silver Coins, 2 Cent Coin,
Brass fighting knife Guard, 2 Union "C" Buttons, and a Navy Button. My
son, Blake, and his wife, Jasmine, went with me to a Plantation site in
Central MS. Blake found parts to a gun, an "R" Letter, and a Gorgeous
1830 Cap Bust Dime(looks dropped yesterday). I dug a Rare Coin Silver
Spur and a Sash Buckle. The next site is very special to me, its loaded
in history and been good to me for decades. This was my first time back
there in awhile but its still yielding nice relics. I dug out a trash
dump and found a US Buckle with puppy paw hooks.
November 2013- I took Roman & Blake to an extinct town in
South MS where I had found some nice relics 14 years ago. Roman dug a
Militia Sword Guard, 1779 Spanish Reale, 1841 Seated Liberty Dime, and
a Confedrerate Reunion Badge. Blake and I found a New Orleans Seated
Liberty Quarter, 1851 "O" Dime, and 1835 Cap Bust Dime.
Some of our 2011 Finds- the First Pic is a group of Bullets Roman
and I found at one of my old sites near Vicksburg. In that group, we
dug some super Rare Multi-Ring Sharps. The 2nd Pic is a 1851 New
Orleans Half Dime I found at one of my long time sites LA Plantation,
its still giving up nice relics. Roman dug his 1st US Eagle Breastplate
in 2011. Then he found his 1st Large Cent. On December 10th, 2011 while
hunting a Union Camp near Vicksburg, I dug a Rarity 9+ 11th Wisconsin
Token which was picked as one of the Best Finds of 2011. Thanks for
invite Rocky. The last pic is some of Romans better Buttons he dug in
2011 at several of my old sites near Vicksburg.
April thru December 2010 Finds- I found a 1854 St. Mary's Pendant
& Unique Carved Bullet at a LA Plantation. While hunting near
Vicksburg, Roman dug a sweet Mississippi Button. At another camp near
Vicksburg, I found a nice CS Scabbard Tip. In a Union Trash Pit near
Edwards, I dug several Overcoat Size Union "A" Buttons with cloth still
attached.
On
March 12th, 2010 I was
hunting a US/CS occupied Camp near Vicksburg and found a hole full of
Bullets, one Eagle Button, and a Large
"Clip Point" Bowie Knife. This Knife is wicked looking and would
of been a very intimidating weapon back then. It's 16 inches long and
has the classic
Jim Bowie style.
I have wanted to find a large Bowie knife for 26 years and now I can
cross it off my list of relics I want to find.
April 4th, 2009 is a date I
will never forget. James Fox
and I were given permission to hunt the Kain Plantation in Vicksburg,
MS. The weather was perfect- one of those days with a slight
breeze, sunny, and not too cool, just right for hunting. I was hunting
by the sidewalk on the north side of the house when I got a clear,
crisp, deep signal. I could not believe what was in the bottom of the
hole- a Rare oval ID Tag with
an Eagle/Chas. M. Kain/Vicksburg, Miss
on the front. Instantly, I knew this was a member of the original
owners of the house but I did not know if he was a significant member.
Imagine my surprise to find out later that he was not only a prominant
Vicksburg citizen but also a Confederate
Soldier
in the 48th Miss. Infantry which had a glorious history during
the Civil War.
The current landowner and myself decided this Rare Relic should be in a
Museum so on April 14th, 2009
I donated Mr. Kains' ID Tag to the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg,
MS.
Below are pics of the plantation, location of the find, the Kains'
graves, and Mr. Kain's ID tag.
Due to work & family responsibilities, my group only hunted a few
more times the rest of 2008. On March
28th, 2008 I found a
complete Henry Cartridge, Friction Primer, Musketball, and a Pewter Pommel Cap for a Side Knife.
On December 4h, 2008 I found a
US/CS used Voltiquer "V" Button.
March 15th, 2008 Relic Hunt- I revisited 3 old sites that
yielded some good finds in the past. Today they gave up a few more nice
relics. The first find was a Navy
Button, shortly after that I dug this unique Gold Bull, and then this Union "C" Button came out at the end
of the day. All 3 relics were found with a Red Heat XD-17 Detector. March 22nd, 2008 Hunt- I went back
to a pounded site with the Red Heat XD-17 and dug my 12th Voltiquer "V" Button. Found
on private property with permission.
February 24th, 2008 Relic Hunt- I went to a house site that has
yielded some nice relics in the past. One area has been avoided due to
bob wire so I figured that might give up a good relic. I dug a long
strand of wire and still got a strong signal in the middle so I dug
down and much to my surprise popped out a real nice CS 6 Pound Solid Cannonball.
End of 2007 Finds- I dug these 5 Voltiquer "V" Buttons in the same
Camp at the end of last year. These are Very Rare and were only worn by
a Special Forces unit before the Civil War and by Confederates during
the Civil War. The 1838 New Orleans
Seated Liberty Half Dime with No Stars was found at the end of
2007 also. This is one of the toughest New Orleans Coins to find. I
never thought I would ever dig one but now I can proudly display this
one in my Collection. Nice way to end 2007. All relics were found on
Private Property and using a Red Heat XD-17 Detector. The 5 "V" Buttons
are in the July-August 2008 Issue of American Digger Magazine. The 1838
New Orleans Coin is in the May-June 2008 Issue of
American Digger Magazine.
September 23rd, 2007 Hunt- pictured
below
are my finds from a Plantation Site North of Vicksburg. I found these relics right behind
the old Cistern. My finds that day were a Springfield Bayonet with "US" still visible, 2 fired bullets, and a Rare Bavarian Sharps Bullet. Found
on Private Property with Landowner's permission. Detector used- Red
Heat Micro XD-17.
September 22nd, 2007-
while
hunting a Plantation Site near Vicksburg I dug a coat size US Dragoon "D" Button which is
loaded in Gold Gilt. Found on
private property with landowner's permission and using a Red Heat XD-17
Micro Detector. This button is in the July-August 2008 Issue of
American Digger Magazine.
March
7th, 2007- I dug a coat size CS "A" Artillery Button with a Local B/M. This is the best one I
have ever found. It is in perfect condition with a stand up shank, no
pushes or even one scratch. The next day(March 8th, 2007) I found a US Eagle Breastplate with two solid
iron hooks, full lead, and a nice face. On April 15th, 2007 I went back to this
same area and found a Star Hat Pin.
These were worn by Mississippi & Texas Troops. It could of been
used by them as a Hat Pin or as part of their Buckle. Mine appears to
have been used as a Hat Pin. All three relics were dug in Central MS on
private property with permission. They are in the "Field Recoveries"
Section of the Jan/Feb 2008 Issue of North-South Trader Magazine.
We have been in a nice US/CS occupied camp this year.
Here's three nice and seldom seen relics dug by two friends in that
camp. Lamar dug the Early Militia
Mississippi Button and the
Union Eagle Breastplate that was struck. A 44 caliber roundball fits
perfect in it. Woody dug
the CS "A" Artillery Button
with a Richmond B/M. All three
relics were found in March 2007 in
Central MS on private property with permission.
Recent Button Finds, both were a first for me. I dug the Union Rifleman "R" Button on Feb. 28th, 2007. Fortunately, it is
loaded in Gold Gilt and has a shank. It's in the "Field Recoveries"
Section of the Jan/Feb 2008 Issue of North-South Trader Magazine. I
found the Connecticutt Button
on December 16th, 2006. It
also is loaded in Gold Gilt and has the shank. Both were found near
Vicksburg on Private Property with Permission. The "R" Button was found
with a Shadow X5. The Connecticutt Button was dug with a Minelab X70.
Feb. 17th Relic
Hunt- I have seen a-lot of Artillery relics but
had no clue what this was when I found it. Pete George and Mr.
Tulloh(Artillery Collector) solved the mystery. It's an Artillery Jack for a Cannon Sling
Cart. Used to raise & lower Cannons. The Sling cart made moving a
Cannon into position much easier. Found in an Arkansas & Alabama
Artillery Camp. Dug on private property with permission. Machine used-
Shadow X5.
Feb. 5th & 6th,
2007 Relic Hunts- Lamar and I hunted a new area at an old site.
In the past, this site had yielded some exploded 9 Inch Shells and 24
Pd. Bormanns. We expanded this site and found a new pocket of relics.
Lamar found a dump on the back side of a hill and dug some broke
bottles & Handcuffs. I was
hunting above him and found a 6
pointed Solid Silver Star with a place on the back that had a
hook soldered in the center. Never dug one like this before. It's
either a Pre-War or Civil War Officer's Hat Pin or Insignia. The 6
Pointed Star was popular with high ranking Officer's. Close to the Star
I found a brass Pennsylvania Musket
Buttplate, a flattened Eagle Button (Poker Chip), a Coin Button,
brass screw, and a piece of brass with 11 period dates on it. Next, we
started hunting another section of ravines, I pulled out a disc with a
Log cabin on it. Lamar hollered "Come look at this". I walked over to
his ravine and saw a 9 Inch Navy Shell
half washed out of his ravine. In the ravine beside that one, Lamar
pulled out a 6 pd solid and I
found a 32 pd Shell with the Wood Fuze
still in it. Lamar made the last finds of the day- 2 demascus made gun
barrels. Relics were found with Shadow X5 & XP
Goldmaxx. Dug on Private Property with Permission
Pictured below are some of my finds from November 2006. The first pic is my
finds from November 26th. The second pic is 2 Voltiquer Buttons and a 1853 New Orleans Half Dime which
were all dug in November. Both "V" buttons are in excellent condition
with shanks. I have recently come across more History on the Voltiquers
which make these buttons even more special to me. The "Voltigeurs" were
a "special forces" unit that used light mountain howitzers, and Hale's
rocket launchers during the Mexican War! Capt. R.E. Lee, and Joseph
Johnston, both served with the "Voltigeurs". Interesting fact, is that
the Voltigeurs wore a special uniform that was light grey in color, as
opposed to the dark blue of the other uniforms. Coincidentally, these
future great Confederate generals donned the "grey" a full decade and a
half before the onset of secession! Dug on Private Property with
Landowner's Permission. Machine used- XTerra 70.
Finds made by Friends in November 2006. From left to right:
Woody Cox found this nice 1740 Silver
Spanish Coin. Hard date to find around here. James Fox dug
the1809 Spanish Coin at the
same site. Lamar Cannon dug this Gold
Gilted Snake. Congratulations guys on these nice finds in
November. Relics found with White's XLT, White's Prizm 4, and XP
Goldmaxx. All relics found on Private Property with Landowner's
Permission.
In September 2006,
I dug these two CS Artillery Buttons
with brass backs near Vicksburg, MS. They are huge buttons. One of the
buttons has a Richmond B/M. Relics found on Private Property with
Landowner's Permission. Machine used- Minelab XTerra 70.
On September 30th,
2006, James Fox found one of the best New Orleans Half Dimes I
have ever seen dug. It's an 1857
Seated Liberty Half Dime and looks like it was dropped
yesterday. Everything is clear as a bell. Here's a pic from my scanner
but it doesn't do this coin justice, it is in incredible condition.
Congratulations James. Dug on Private Property with Landowner's
Permission. Machine used- White's Prizm 4.
On August 25th, 2006,
James Fox and I went to Vicksburg to re-stock the Corner Drugstore
Museum. Afterward, we had 3 hrs to burn so we hunted a field were a
Plantation once stood. I dug an 1840 New Orleans Seated Liberty Half
Dime. Shortly after I dug the New
Orleans Coin, I heard James holler. I went over to him and saw a
US Eagle Breastplate in his
hand. This was James 1st US Plate. Congratulations James, hope to see
you dig many more. Dug on Private Property with Landowner's Permission.
Machine used- White's Prizm 4.
The 2006 Relic Hunting Season has started off very well for me. In a 3
week span(Jan.
18th thru Feb. 4th) I found 3
Overcoat Union "I" Buttons, an 1862 Indian Head Penny, 1854 Silver
Dime, a Wellington/Waterloo Button(commerates defeat of Napoleon), a CS
Staff Officer Button with an iron shank, and a Rarity 9 CS "Leech &
Rigdon Smooth Wreath. Pictured in the July/August 2006 Issue of
American Digger Magazine in the "Just Dug" Section. Dug on Private
Property with Landowner's Permission.
1843 New Orleans "O" Silver Seated
Libert Dime- I dug this Rare Dime Oct. 23rd, 2005 near Vicksburg, MS
Pictured on the Front Cover of the Jan. 2006 Issue of American
Digger Magazine and in the "Just Dug" Section.
Dug on Private Property with Landowner's Permission.
24 pd. Bormann-
I dug this shell on Oct. 8th, 2005
near Vicksburg, MS. This size Bormann is hard to find. Only the
second one I have ever found. Pictured in the "Just Dug" Section of the
Jan. 2006 Issue of American Digger Magazine.
Dug on Private Property with Landowner's Permission.
The Relics in the pic below were found by me near Raymond, MS. in the Spring of 2005.
The unique CS Martingale and the Rare
CS Staff Officer Button were found in the same hole about a foot
apart. The CS Staff Button is very scarce(CS 36), usually worn by
a CS Major or higher. The CS Martingale has soldered on brass
hooks just like many CS buckles. The CS Infantry Button was found close
to the CS Martingale and CS Staff Button. Pictured in the "Just
Dug" Section of the Sept/Oct. 2005 Issue of American Digger Magazine.
Dug on Private Property with Landowner's Permission.
Here are some more of my Spring 2005
finds. The US Buckle was
hammered in half by a Soldier and snug shut like a clam, I unfolded it.
The Marine Button has 60% Gold
Gilt and a Scovill MG Co backmark(early 1850's), and a US Allegheny Aresenal Saddle Shield.
All 3 relics were dug near Vicksburg, MS. Dug on Private Property with
Landowner's Permission.
The Pic below is a Star Hat Pin
and 2 "V" Voltiguer Buttons,
all found close to each other. The Texas Star can be used as a Hat Pin
or part of a Buckle. It has 2 small solder marks so I believe this is a
Hat Pin. Texas troops, VA troops, and Louisiana Troops camped at this
site. I dug these relics near Vicksburg, MS in Spring of 2005. Dug on Private
Property with Landowner's Permission.
While hunting a Louisiana Camp in 2004,
Lamar Cannon dug these two CS Buckles.
The first buckle he found was a scarce New
Orleans Louisiana buckle which is Rarity 8. The second buckle
was only 15 yards away from the other one, it's a plain CS Wreath that goes to a two
piece Louisiana Buckle. Dug on Private Property with Landowner's
Permission.
