The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-07-28

FamvIles Teenage Civil War Enthusiasts
Relic Hunters Hit A Bon ANA

fathers to learn that transpor-
tation wasn't all that could be
desired of parents. There were
extra shovels nearby. Slowly, the
powers of indirect persuasion set
in. and now the boys have all
the help they need, because the
parental interest in the relics
runs close to that of their sons.
One other relic hunter, Carter
Eike, of Richmond, was taken
into the digging club For his
share of heave-ho with the spade
and use of his metal detector, he
helps split the loot.
Secret Disclosed
The hunting isn't over. but here
ends the secret. and on permits
sion Of the club. The bonanza was
struck near High Bridge, the
Southside railroad bridge over
the Appomattox river between
Farmville and Rice which was
carefully guarded by Confeder-
ate soldiers throughout the war.
The spot was at one of two forts
still visible in tie form of deep
embankments.
Today. Tom and Mike each
have collections of more than 200
pieces including right many kinds
Of artillery. Some of the things
they have spaded up are cannon
balls, shells with different types
of decorators. cannisters, grape
shot, bullets. primers for cannon,
percussion caps, a musket barrel.
several bayonets, metal cartridge
boxes, etc.
Also found were parts Of tim
bers that held UP shelters, nail
and railroad spikes and ever
some bones which they are hav-
ing studied to determine if they
are of Civil War vintage. They
have found nothing in the way
Of personal possessions, mainly
because as Tom noted the Con-
federates came to High Bridge
and occupied two forts, but failed
because the Yankees got there
too soon.
No More P0t-Luck
Pot-luck digging d..dn't last
very long before parents were
bounded into purchasing a mine
detector FOR going deep and {
metal detector for surface ex
aminations.
Both boys have always beer
the outdoor type. with camping
and hiking being favorite pas
times. Tom picked up some Of his
relic hunting fever from seeing
relics at his GRANDPA hers place
His grandfather was the engineer
for the construction of the present
High Bridge railroad crossing,
and when in the process Of build
ing it, he picked UP a collection
Of cannon balls.
The digging is not matter Of
scratching the surf a c E. They
have dug 10 depths of Is feet and
shaped up tunnels that extend
from five to Is feet under those
IS feet.
Cave-ins poster them just as
they do miners. In fact all the
digging Saturday afternoon was
to get back to the exact spot
where relics were bullying out the
sides of a cave that fell in sud
denly.
Pleascs Parents
Both parents take a great deal
Of satisfaction in the manner
their boys nave taken to this
project. One said. It's a wonder
full hobby and it's teaching them
character, how to share. and Civ
ing them a firsthand knowledge
Of history all at the same time,
He conceded that he had had to
take the boys to other battle
fields since development of their
Civil War interest = trips total
ing about 300 miles already.
The boys have no intention Of
quitting now. why, it's a new
thrill every time YOU get metal
detector reading said Tom. Of
course. it's only jar top some
times, as an observer found out
when a lively reading was made
ten feet down.
That wiped off a Il have it.
smile. but didn't dampen the dig
i gers spirit half as much as the
rain was Gampening the sod. He
Just kept digging. and still found
nothing.
The possibility of another bo-
nanza makes every wasted effort
worth another try A guess is
that ants in that fort will not get
much chance to settle down for
I a long time yet