"Hunted Out" Union camp nets keepers

[ironman200081]

I finally had the privilege to hunt the most-hunted CW site on private land in my area. Folks have been pounding this dirt since the late 1960's. It was a Union camp for the duration of the war, and there were two skirmishes nearby with Confederate regulars. The land owners are extremly nice, and let anyone detect. I was told by "old timers" that the site was hunted out in the 80's, and again in the 90's. Recently, a detectorist told me it was hunted out two years ago, and that the last bit of CW material had been found.

Well, I was undaunted, and suited up with the CTX and the big 13x17 coil. I hit the ground with two friends and managed to pull a respectable amount of relics. I found two .69 minies; four .69 round balls; a .44 Sharps pistol; and an odd .50 conical nose-poured bullet that I suspect is some type of early carbine. I also dug up a general services coat button, 2 cuff buttons that only had the shank and back remaining; some shots; a brass hook; harmonica part; and a TON of camp lead. One of my buddies pulled a .58 minie and a coat button, the other pulled some shot, a button, and a camp-made lead kepi letter. So much bor being "hunted out!" Just goes to show that even the hunted out sites still produce some keepers. Please enjoy the photo and video, and I would be interested to hear what you all think the .50 conical bullet may be. I will warn you in advance that I did not film the full hunt; my voice and phone battery failed after the first hour.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3QPRJurgC0&feature=share&list=UUu3zPHg-MGFmY70ZDo0II3A[/video]

 

[Larry (IL)]

That CTX is proving to be a very good Relic hunter, congrats.

 

[jtram]

Ironman take a picture of the bullet from the side and bottom and email it to me I will see if I can help. I can't tell from that angle what it is. Or post them here and I will check back

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

Good job. Love them buttons. I make my living on hunted out sites...... Be sure and post a pic of the "odd" nose poured bullet. Good luck and enjoyed the post. cch

 

[ironman200081]

Here are some more photos of the mystery .50 cal, with a .58 minie for comparison.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

Between a little extra depth and the extra ground coverage it is hard to beat

 

[DocBars]

Very nice finds and good hunting.

 

[ksdigger]

n/t

 

[Nestor Cerpa]

Bryan,

Those are EXCELLENT FINDS... and from a "HUNTED OUT" site, too. I have a very, very close friend who is an MO attorney, but he doesn't have an interest in detecting. May I be your new "best friend?"

Nice job of presenting your finds here, too.

 

[ironman200081]

Nestor,

Sure, we sould go hit the dirt some time!

Been scouting out Price's trail through Mid-MO and have been looking for sites. I like to scout in winter until the dirt gets hard; it is much easier to get permission and there is a lesser amount of cabbage on the ground.

Let me know if you travel to my neighborhood.