 This
past Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to be part of a crew
that assisted the NPS in doing field research at Antietam National
Battlefield. The group also included Tom Henrique, Dean Thomas and
Jim Thomas. The ground we metal detected was part of the historic
20-acre Piper Orchard. Now a cornfield, it is to be replanted with
apple trees to restore it to its 1862 appearance. This was the fourth
and final segment of the project and trees have already been planted
where previous work was completed. Dean, Jim and Tom assisted on
earlier digs, and one session was featured on an episode of Battlefield
Detectives.
The idea was to recover artifacts from the proposed planting areas
and to plot the position of the recovered items onto a topographical
study being developed by the NPS. The archaeology team from Washington,
D.C. was
led by Stephen Potter and will use Total Station software (Global
Positioning System) to help interpret what
occurred late on the afternoon of Sept. 17, 1862.
 The
Piper Orchard is located on a hill behind Bloody Lane, the sunken
road that anchored the center of the Confederate line. The area
covered by the apple trees will stretch from the Piper Barn, over
the hill, to within about 100 yards of the Bloody Lane. This area
was the site of the Confederate retreat once their line in the lane
was breached. Later, the orchard was also the scene of a charge
made by the 7th Maine Regiment. General Longstreet rallied his forces
at the Piper Farm and turned the retreat into a rout of this Federal
regiment.
Captain's Log:
Stardate:Monday Morning
5:00 AM
Alarm goes off. I'm always awake at this time of the morning....because
I'm usually just getting to bed. After showering, packing and stopping
for gas I'm on my way. One steak, egg and cheese bagel, two breakfast
burritos, six cigarettes and a roll of Lifesavers later I arrive
at scenic Arendtsville, population 900 (Tom H's house). Hopping
in Tom's car we head to Thomas Publications main office (their only
office).
11:00 AM
After loading our gear into Dean's mini van we take the scenic route
to Sharpsburg. Along the way Jim provides us with aroma therapy
and Dean's van does it's best impersonation of the Vomit Comet while
hurtling over the scenic Maryland mountains. Let me out 'cause I'm
ready to hurl!
1:00 PM
After meeting the crew and eating lunch we head over to the Piper
Orchard to start working the field. Trying to stick next to Jim
so I can get some help using my machine (I'm a Newbie), I see that
I'll be working right next to him until Stephen Potter grabs me
and takes me to the furthest stretch of the field. Alright, I'm
in the front row!
5:00 PM
Four hours later, with my ground balance maxed out and still without
a clue, my first day digging comes to an end. Two artillery frags,
some cut nails and three fence parts later I've declared my portion
of the field cleared. So much for the front row. More like the bleachers.
Not a single bullet. Jim calmly comes over, turns on his machine
and finds one in about five seconds. Two minutes and five targets
later I realize it's time to turn to Plan B. I need a machine that
has actually found bullets before, one of Jim's old machines. I'll
have to try that tomorrow, but for now it's back over the mountains
in the Comet, complete with flashing scenery and occasional periods
of weightlessness.
7:00 PM
After quaffing down mass quantities of KFC Tom and I stretch out
on his recliners to watch a movie. After nodding in and out of consciousness
and providing special effects for Tom's movie watching enjoyment
(ZZzzzz...) it's time to turn in. Man, I'm beat. Just imagine how
tired I would be if I actually dug some relics.
10:30 PM
Too tired for a shower I climb on top of the guest bathroom's porcelain
throne. Good thing it's the tall model. Ahh, a king and his throne.
Ten minutes later and now with buns of steel it's time to turn in.
Tuesday Morning
5:00 AM
Man, this early morning stuff is for the birds. The way my right
arm feels I look down expecting to see one of Popeye's arms dangling
from it's socket. Of course we have to get to Sharpsburg early.
I'm sure after 145 years in the ground a few more hours wouldn't
hurt anything.
8:00 AM
After another rollercoaster ride on the Vomit Comet I feel like
a penguin getting ready to feed it's young. Time for breakfast at
the Battleview Restaurant. Tom and I order a manly-man's breakfast.
Jim and Dean order little boy sandwiches and 30 seconds later give
us dirty looks for holding up the dig.
9:00 AM
Alright! My first bullet, a shot roundball. A few minutes later
I find a dropped .58 cal three ringer. By the time I'm done going
over ground I already "cleared" the day before I have
about eight assorted goodies.
Noon
Back to the Battleview again (the only eats in town). Get a double
cheesburger that looks and tastes like fried brogan. Yesterday's
burger was pretty tasty, though. After thinking we were done we're
asked to come back and do so more digging..
3:30 PM
 The
Thomas brothers "got their blood up" according to Tom
and worked the field at a maniacal pace. Finally, Steve Potter has
to tell Dean to turn off his machine... three times. After some
picture taking of the crew we head to the visitor's center gift
shop so I can pick up a magnet for my wife. After telling the lady
at the counter about the work we were doing at the orchard she gave
me half off... of the magnet. Fifty-six dollars later I hop in the
comet and we head back to G-burg.
5:30 PM
Say goodbye to Tom and head back to Philly.
8:00 PM
Home sweet home...yeah, right.
 Epilogue
Having gone metal detecting a few times with no results this was
pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity to dig at one of our
country's most famous battlefields. The volume of relics excavated
made it appear almost like a seeded hunt. Bullets, buttons, shell
fragments, were plentiful. Over 400 items were found and recorded.
Later GPS will be used to plot the retreat route of the 7th Maine.
Thanks to my old friends, Tom, Jim and Dean for breaking my relic
hunting cherry. And thanks to new friends, Stephen and his crew
for letting us help with their project. Even the NPS rangers were
a pretty cool bunch to work with.
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