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The LAMAR Institute
completed a systematic shovel test survey surrounding the Nash
Farm house. Shovel tests were placed on a grid and spaced at 10
meter intervals. Excavation of several shovel test locations
was not possible because of the presence of asphalt or concrete
paving. About 40 shovel tests were excavated in this manner and
most of these contained cultural artifacts. These shovel test
data will help to assess the age of the Nash Farm dwelling. No
obvious military artifacts were found in the shovel tests.
The methods for the 2007
study consisted of initially selecting sample areas for study
within the 204 acre tract, then mowing and plowing these areas.
These prepped areas were then subjected to a metal detector and
surface survey. Some areas were prepped using a road grader to
remove the upper topsoil zone. Teams of skilled metal detector
operators covered these sample units and located metal object.
As many as 16 metal detector operators were involved in the
project and a variety of brands and models metal detector
machinery was employed. Each metal object was given a unique
number designation, or “Piece Plot” number. These locations were
marked with plastic pin flags bearing the same number
designation. A Sokkia total station laser transit and TDS Recon
data collector were then used to map precisely the location of
each find. Artifacts were then collected and placed in bags
labeled with the appropriate piece plot number. A small sample
of artifacts that were located in remote areas of the study
tract was plotted using Garmin handheld GPS receivers. The map
information provides geographic UTM coordinates (NAD 27) for
each artifacts, as well as elevation measurements above sea
level. The perimeters of the sampled areas also were mapped so
that site managers will have a clear understanding of which
areas of the property remain unexplored.
 Figure
1.
Aerial View Originally Suggested Survey Sample Areas at Nash
Farm, Later Modified.
The LAMAR Institute field
crew and volunteers located and accurately plotted more than
1,000* historic artifacts on the Nash Farm property. [*Note: The
actual tally of the artifacts is not available at this time,
prior to laboratory analysis.] Most of these items were military
objects associated with the Civil War events.
Some important artifact
patterning and spatial distributions were tentatively noted in
the field. Concentrations of small, faceted iron canister shot
were discovered in the area of the pasture between the Nash
house and the barn. Several hundred similar artifacts were
located there. This area appears to be the target of intense
anti-personal artillery attack, most likely that fired by the
Columbus Flying Artillery battery on August 20th. Several areas
of the property yielded artifacts that are uniquely diagnostic
of cavalry troops, such as certain types of carbines, spurs, and
various horse tack. Evidence of Spencer carbines in the form of
minie balls and spent brass shell cartridges attest to a fire
fight with cavalry troops. Although the Union cavalry possessed
more of the Spencer carbines, the Confederate cavalry also had
some of these weapons. Perhaps the most graphic and conclusive
evidence of the saber fight is illustrated by the recovery of a
sword counterguard (or sword basket), which was found in the
heart of the battlefield between the Nash house and the barn.
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