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Archaeological Survey
The Preliminary Report
The LAMAR Institute was contracted by Henry County to conduct a
historical archaeology study of the Nash Farm battlefield property
in Henry County, Georgia. This study was conducted over 11 days of
fieldwork from January 31 to February 11, 2007. The project was
deemed a success by all those involved. This management summary
serves as a brief interim report of findings pending the completion
of a full report, which will be submitted in August 2007.
The Nash Farm Battlefield Park is owned by Henry County and is
located in western Henry County at the Clayton County line, a few
miles east of Lovejoy, Georgia. The McDonough (Jonesboro) Road and
Babb's Mill Road are located in the study area. The study area
measures approximately 204 acres and is mostly pasture. It contains
a farm house and farm complex, patchy areas of woodlands and several
ponds.
The survey began with an assembly and review of published accounts
of the Civil War battles that took place in the study area. These
included the August 20, 1864 Union cavalry charge, which was
commanded by Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick and led by Colonel
Robert Minty. The other battle was the Battle of Lovejoy Station,
which took place 13 days later.
The August 20th battle was brief, lasting less than 30-45 minutes,
but it was quite important for Major General William T. Sherman
because Kilpatrick's cavalry narrowly avoided capture and was later
able to participate in the March to the Sea. The movement of the
Union cavalry in this charge was from west to east and the main
brunt of the charge occurred at Nash Farm where the dismounted
Confederate Texas cavalry had formed defensive lines. The
Confederate cavalry was supported by Captain Croft's Columbus Flying
Artillery, which was commanded by Lieutenant Young. The Union
cavalry was supported by artillery batteries from Wisconsin and the
Chicago Board of Trade, which were located west of the Nash Farm
park property. The Union cavalry that participated in the charge
numbered about 4,700 horsemen, who were followed by many support
personnel. Union losses of killed, wounded, captured or missing in
the engagement numbered in the hundreds. The Confederate troops in
the vicinity probably numbered several thousand but the primary area
of attack was defended by fewer than 1,000 dismounted horsemen. The
August 20th event was the most massive cavalry action in Georgia and
one of the most memorable in the entire Civil War.
The Battle of Lovejoy Station, September 2-5, 1864, was mostly an
infantry and artillery battle with Major General Sherman's combined
Union forces to the north pitted against Major General William Bell
Hood's combined Confederate forces to the south. The ranks on both
sides of this engagement numbered in the tens of thousands. The
study area was located at the eastern flank of the battle. After
several days of skirmishes and engagement at Lovejoy, General
Sherman opted to retreat with his army to Atlanta for a period of
rest and recuperation. The weary Confederate troops also took this
opportunity for relaxation and many camps were established across
the landscape, including several campsites in the study area.
Historical research about the battles in the study area is ongoing
by the LAMAR Institute. This research will include a thorough review
of the documents already gathered by Mark Pollard, Henry County
Historian and long-time Civil War buff. Ms. Tracy M. Dean is
actively conducting the historical research, assisted by Mr. Elliott
and Mr. Dan Battle. The historical resources pertaining to the study
are extensive and diverse and they include official military
reports, contemporary newspaper accounts, personal diaries, personal
correspondence, maps, early U.S.D.A. aerial photographs, later
reminiscences by veterans who were present, secondary personal
accounts by military officers who were not actually present, and
later secondary histories, particularly David Evans' Sherman's
Horsemen. The historians will attempt to sort out the various
accounts of the events and reconstruct the sequence of events that
transpired. The historical data will be integrated with the
archaeological findings to hone the story of what actually happened
on the property in 1864.
The Field Survey
The LAMAR Institute's investigation at Nash Farm was the second
research study conducted on the property. The 2007 archaeological
study of the Nash Farm Battlefield Park yielded very different
results from that obtained in 2006 by the firm of TRC Garrow &
Associates (D'Angelo, Holland and Thomas 2006). The TRC team located
very few artifacts associated with the Civil War events on the
property (fewer than 3 items of definitive military origin) and they
concluded that the Civil War archaeological resources on the
property were not worthy of further investigation and that the
battlefield could best be interpreted by studying relics gathered by
local collectors. The findings of the LAMAR Institute team stand in
sharp contrast to results and recommendations of the TRC study. We
conclude that the TRC research approach was badly flawed and
inappropriate for the battlefield situation and that the LAMAR
Institute research strategy, patterned after Fox's and Scott's 1984
archaeological investigations of the Battle of Little Bighorn,
proved superior (Scott and Fox 1987). The LAMAR Institute strategy
consisted not only of systematic shovel test survey and limited
ground penetrating radar survey, but also included controlled metal
detector survey and recordation following critical site
environmental prep work, such as bush-hogging and site plowing in
historic plowzone areas.
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.
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
minnie 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.
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.
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.
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. Thomas2006 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. Dean2006 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.