Management Summary
Nash Farm Battlefield Historical Archaeology Project

 By Daniel T. Elliott, The LAMAR Institute, Inc., Savannah, Georgia, February 18, 2007.

Although the present study was confined to the 204 acres owned by Henry County, the full extent of the two battlefields is yet to be determined. Both battlefields extend well beyond the property boundary of the Nash Farm Battlefield currently held by Henry County. Additional archaeological survey and historic preservation efforts should be extended to include the other remaining intact portions of the battlefield and circa 1864 landscape. The two tasks of additional real estate acquisition (or establishment of historic preservation easements) and archaeological field studies are high priority. Completion of both tasks would enhance the interpretive value and public appeal of the Nash Farm Battlefield Park.

A study of the Nash Farm house by a qualified architectural historian should be conducted. Such a study would help to more accurately assess the approximate age of the existing dwelling and to determine which portions of the dwelling are original. It would also provide solid information that could be used for the National Register application, or for securing grant funds for the building’s restoration. The architectural study also could provide direction and guidance for demolition and proper removal of more recent building additions. This study should be supplemented by archaeological testing beneath the dwelling and in selected areas of the yard. The archaeological testing would examine areas beneath the house to see if earlier buildings are indicated or if battlefield evidence is present. The excavations of the yard would seek out domestic refuse dumps that would provide clues to the original establishment of the farm. The LAMAR Institute is qualified and prepared to conduct additional work at Nash Farm, or on adjacent tracts, if desired. Meanwhile, the LAMAR Institute looks forward to completing the analysis of recent fieldwork and submitting a final report to Henry County in the near future.

References Cited

D’Angelo, J., J. Holland, and L. Thomas
                2006        Cultural Resource Investigations of the 204-Acre Nash Farm Battlefield, Henry County, Georgia. Submitted to Henry County, McDonough, Georgia. TRC, Atlanta, Georgia.

Elliott, D.T., and T. M. Dean
                2006        Flint River Basin Archaeological Survey, Phase 2 The LAMAR Institute Publication Number 77. Submitted to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta, Georgia. The LAMAR Institute, Savannah, Georgia. http://flintriversurvey.org/FRBASReport2006.pdf, February 16, 2007. 

Evans, D.
                1996        Sherman’s Horsemen. Union Cavalry Operations in the Atlanta Campaign. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Scott, D., and R.A. Fox, Jr.
                1987        Archaeological Insights into the Custer Battle: A Preliminary Assessment. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.