From These Honored Dead: Historical Archaeology of the American Civil War

13. The Application of Magnetic Prospecting Methods on the 1863 Bivouacs of the 2nd Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade

13 TheapplicationofmagneticProspectingmethods onthe1863Bivouacsofthe2ndCorps,3rddivision,2ndBrigade Peter Leach, Kerri Holland, and Joseph F. Balicki Archaeological investigation of American Civil War campsites, in both long-term and temporary field settings, provides an intimate look into camp life and layout. The specific context of diagnostic material culture and features facilitates archaeological inferences about activity areas, adherence to military regulations governing prescribed layouts, aspects of camp life, and other insights when comparing long-term and temporarycamps .Thesedatacanbeincompletebecause ofextensiveplowing and associated contextual inconsistencies. Furthermore, Civil War sites are desirable targets for relic hunting, which has a deleterious effect on interpreting artifact patterning. Civil War campsites can be large and complex archaeological sites that span many acres and often contain countless artifacts as well as dispersed and disturbed features. As a result, major efforts are required to investigate a portion sufficient to identify a site’s dimensions, integrity, and ultimately, its historical significance. This chapter details the application of multidisciplinary field methodologies for addressing contextual issues at Civil War campsites, specifically targeting landscapescale investigation of camp layout and the association of artifacts with subsurface features . The main focus is integrating magnetic prospecting methods into standard archaeological and metal-detection field methods (see Balicki, chapter 10, this volume; Balicki 2011; Espenshade et al. 2002; Geier and Potter 2000; Sterling and Slaughter 2000; Geier and Winter 1994; Geier et al. 2010, 2006) and the concomitant benefits for interpreting Civil War camps. A case study from a cultural resource management investigation at Site 44CU149 in Warrenton, Virginia, a mostly plowed Civil War Federal regimental camp dating to the fall 1863 Mine Run Campaign, is utilized to demonstrate this process. Traditional archaeological methods and metal detection were implemented to identify the site, its activity areas, and approximate boundaries . A subsequent field investigation comprising magnetic prospecting and groundtruthing was undertaken to further refine archaeological interpretations at the site. Peter Leach, Kerri Holland, and Joseph F. Balicki 208 Historical Context: The Mine Run Campaign (November 26– December 2, 1863) In November 1863, the Army of the Potomac under Federal Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade prepared to attack the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, camped south of the Rapidan River in Orange County, Virginia. Bolstered by recent victories against the Confederates at Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, and Kelly’s Ford, and urged by President Lincoln to make one final offensive attack before going into winter quarters, the Federal army crossed the river, intending to use the advantage of their greater numbers. Crossing the Rapidan proved difficult, and while the asFigure 13.1. Project area map showing metal-detection finds and melted lead distribution, bivouac locations, and magnetometer survey areas. Map by Peter Leach. Application of Magnetic Prospecting on 1863 Bivouacs 209 sault was delayed, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee learned of the impending attack. Acting on orders from Lee, Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early intercepted the Federal army, buying time for Lee’s army to position itself behind defensible earthworks. On the morning of November 30, Meade and his forces prepared to assault the Confederates ’ well-fortified position. The futility of the attack was recognized by many Federal soldiers and officers, including Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, commander of the 2nd Corps. When Warren and others questioned the attack, Meade reconsidered and subsequently ordered a withdrawal over the Rapidan River on December 1 to begin building their winter quarters (Moe 1998: 255–59). In going to and from Mine Run to their camps, the Union 3rd Corps and the 6th Corps traveled the Carrico Mills Road (today’s SR 669) immediately west of the project area (figure 13.1). At least some of Col. Thomas Smyth’s 2nd Brigade—the 14th Connecticut, 1st Delaware, 12th New Jersey, and 10th and 108th New York Infantry Regiments—camped in the project vicinity (NARA 1997 [1880–1901], OR, series 1, vol. 29, part 1: 670) before and after the Battle of Mine Run (see figures 10.1 and 10.2, this volume). The reader is directed to Balicki’s chapter 10 in this volume foradditionaldetailsregardingthe14thConnecticutbivouac, whichwasinvestigated separately. Initial Archaeological Investigations At Site 44CU149, initial Phase I archaeological investigation via standard shovel testing and systematic metal detection over 25 acres yielded nearly 750 artifacts and revealed evidence of an engagement, a regimental camp, and a short-term camp. Artifact spatial patterning suggested four major artifact concentrations. One artifact cluster situated on a topographic rise was interpreted as a large regimental camp spread across approximately 90...