Metal Detecting for Civil War Relics

Civil War Relic Hunting

During the last 25 years I've had the opportunity to metal detect for civil war relics near the Rappahannock Station battle site. Also, not far away was the Battle of Bull Run. Warrenton and Culpeper are not far away, both of which are steeped in Civil War history. The house pictured was in use during the Civil War. It sits high on a hill which made it a good observation post. The large oak trees that surround the house kept it cool in the summer. The well, just off to the left of the house was deep and provided cool refreshing water during the hot Virginia summers. The Rappahannock river is just one mile from the house.

There are 14 acres of property surrounding the house. As you can see in the picture on the right, it is also used to grow Christmas trees. In and around these trees I have pulled out over 31 pounds of bullets, buttons, saddle pieces and gun parts. Many a bullet has turned up during the annual tilling of the garden as they are literally sprinkled through out the property. Over 20 different caliber of bullets have been found. This in itself was a problem during the war; there were so many types of weapons used it was not easy to keep the troops in ammunition.

Years ago the property was mostly a corn field. This has resulted in relics being on top of the ground and some relics as deep as 14". The crest of the hill is very rocky and hard to dig in. Near the bottom, it is almost rock free and very easy to dig down 14" to retrieve a bullet. This was quite a depth for a 6000 series metal detector. A Civil War bullet, although large in size when compared to bullets manufactured today, is still a small target. I used headphones and the GEB/MAX mode. A lot of the bullets at these depths would just barely move the needle on the meter. The sound was just a slight variation in pitch. Some bullets, which may have been a few inches deeper, could not make the needle move at all. I used to spend all day out amongst the Christmas trees. I remember days when I would find over 100 bullets. That has pretty much been trimmed down to around 20 bullets, which is still a good day of relic hunting.

I took a friend (Sam Bellanca) down in 1984. He found a breast eagle plate on the left side of the property as you look toward the front of the house. I have never found an eagle plate or a U.S. plate. I know there is one there waiting for me!!! Two years ago, I did unearth a Massachusetts state seal button with a lot of the gilt remaining. Too bad it also came with a few pin holes.

Rappahannock Station Virginia
August 22-25, 1862

Early August, Lee determined that McClellan's army was being withdrawn from the Peninsula to reinforce John Pope. He sent Longstreet from Richmond to join Jackson's wing of the army near Gordonsville and arrived to take command himself on August 15. August 20-21, Pope withdrew to the line of the Rappahannock River. On August 23, Stuart's cavalry made a daring raid on Pope's headquarters at Catlett Station, showing that the Union right flank was vulnerable to a turning movement. Over the next several days, August 22-25, the two armies fought a series of minor actions along the Rappahannock River, including Waterloo Bridge, Lee Springs, Freeman's Ford, and Sulphur Springs, resulting in a few hundred casualties. Together, these skirmishes primed Pope's army along the river, while Jackson's wing marched via Thoroughfare Gap to capture Bristoe Station and destroy Federal supplies at Manassas Junction, far in the rear of Pope's army.

Result(s): Inconclusive

Other Names: Waterloo Bridge, White Sulphur Springs, Lee Springs, Freeman's Ford

Location: Culpeper County and Fauquier County

Campaign: Northern Virginia Campaign (June-September 1862)

Date(s): August 22-25, 1862

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John Pope, US & Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson CS

Forces Engaged: Brigades

Estimated Casualties: 225 total

Rappahannock Station Virginia
November 7, 1863

On November 7, the Union army forced passage of the Rappahannock River at two places. A dusk attack overran the Confederate bridgehead at Rappahannock Station, capturing more than 1,600 men of Jubal Early's Division. Fighting at Kelly's Ford was less severe with about 430 casualties, but the Confederates retreated allowing the Federals across in force. On the verge of going into winter quarters around Culpeper, Lee's army retired instead into Orange County south of Rapidan River. The Army of the Potomac occupied the vicinity of Brandy Station and Culpeper County.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Fauquier County and Culpeper County

Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)

Date(s): November 7, 1863

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps

Estimated Casualties: 2,537 total (1,600 Confederate prisoners)