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Evidence for the presence of
infantry troops was given by many spent and/or unfired
Enfield-type and Springfield U.S. Arsenal-type bullets. The
Confederate infantry was involved in the August 20th
engagement, although its role in the heart of the battle may
have been somewhat limited. Both Union and Confederate infantry
probably were involved in skirmishes in the study area during
the September 2-5th
engagement. Separating these two infantry events in the
archaeological record will prove difficult and in the absence of
detailed cartography of the September battle, will require
careful integration with the numerous written accounts of these
events.
Further compounding this
confusion with the infantry evidence are the many campsites that
were used by the Confederates later in September. Lead bullets
from a variety of Civil War weapons were tentatively noted in
the field, including bullets used with Burnside, Colt, Enfield,
Henry, Sharps, and Springfield Armory weapons. Extensive
analysis of the collection is required before the importance of
these finds is fully determined.
The LAMAR Institute also
conducted two sample Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys on
portions of the Nash Farm property. These were designated GPR
Blocks A and B. GPR survey is a non-destructive technique that
has been used effectively by the LAMAR Institute on Colonial and
Revolutionary War period battlefields in Georgia. The Nash Farm
study was the Institute’s first attempt to apply this technology
to a Civil War battlefield.
GPR Block A was located in
the heart of the battlefield, just north of the barn and east of
the white metal fence. It measured approximately 12 meters
east-west by 29.5 meters north-south. The results of this GPR
sample have not been processed at this time.
GPR Block B was located
north of the Nash Farm house, south of McDonough Road, and east
of the gated driveway entrance. One of our metal detector
surveyors located buried brickwork while documenting a piece
plot in this area and the GPR sample block was placed to
investigate this buried architectural evidence. GPR Block B
measured approximately 20 meters east-west by 25 meters
north-south. The results of this GPR sample are awaiting
processing.
The LAMAR Institute’s field
study at Nash Farm attracted considerable public attention. The
story was covered by three newspapers, The Atlanta Journal,
Henry County Times, and Henry County Herald. It was
also documented by two video production crews, including WSB-TV
and Mental Pictures. The volunteer involvement in the project
was quite successful, thanks in large part to the coordination
efforts of Mark Pollard.
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