Introduction: and a Newbie's Finds

[wesware]

Hi all,

My name is Wes Ware. I live in Nashville, TN. I am a new convert/addict/student of the Civil War and all the wonderful and tragic relics it left behind.

I am a freelance animator/illustrator with a wife and 2 boys. I'm 37 years old and should know better than to go dig in the dirt rather than take care of my kids or romance my wife.... oh well... this stuff is friggin' fun!

My hobbies include music (guitar) and fishing... both of which have taken a distant 2nd and 3rd to relic hunting and reading up on the Civil War and all it's various campaigns.

I have been detecting for only 4 months. Sure is good this is the dryest/hottest 5 months on record for 118 years... yeeesh, makes it hard to hunt.

I've read more about the Battle of Nashville and CW projectiles in the last 4 months than in my entire life.... I've just plain read more in the last 4 months than my entire life.

JimT and TomH have been very gracious and informative... "Tennessee" and "reirelics" are very friendly. Thanks guys.

Here are some picts of what I have found in my area.

http://www.wesart.com/downloads/cwpphotos/goodones.jpg

Starting from top left to top right then bottom left to bottom right:
1. Indian War/Civil War Federal Eagle Button
2. 1950 Benny half dollar (I put another crack in the Liberty Bell with my shovel)
3. 1920 British coin
4. 1st bullet I ever found... notice the patina cracked off the tip where I dropped it handing it to my wife... my hands were shaking.
5. .71 cal shot from an Austrian import
6. 1st dropped bullet. (.58)
7. Spencer cartridge
8. Sharps (TT 113)
9. Nashville streetcar token (circa 1940's?)

http://www.wesart.com/downloads/cwpphotos/all.jpg

Mostly inbetween the Confederate front line and the Federal front line on the 15th of December, 1864.

I hopefully have some nice spots secured for the Fall. I really don't want to hunt them now as the soil just doesn't seem to like me very much and I don't want to keep digging holes in people's yards.

One of the spots is just behind the Confederate line on the 16th of December. We'll see.

Started with a Whites Prizm 3 and "upgraded" to a Garrett 2500 (upgraded in quotes... although I have already dug a few things where I already hunted with the Whites... including the button which also got passed over by a Tesoro)

Thanks for looking and I look forward to posting all kinds of amazing and shocking finds that will make you all jealous. :)

Does any of my obsessive ramblings sound familiar to any of you leadheads?

Take care!

[Tennessee]

Those are some good looking first finds...WAY better start than I had..the kicker is it came out of your own yard..I had to drive 1 hour to get my first bullet but you know what I would do it again. see ya around and good luck this fall

Later Will

[wesware]

Hey Tennessee,

Thanks for the reply! Actually, about 8 of the bullets came out of my yard...the rest came from a few other places.

Slim pickens around here and haaarrrrrd work... but the occasional bullet, wheatie, etc. makes it worthwhile.

I might give some of the deeper targets a go when the weather cools off and BEFORE I plant grass seed :)

And good luck to you as well!

I'll give you a call in a few weeks.

[sarge_relics]

Good finds there Wes, looks like you are off to a good start. We understand about this weather and the ground conditions. I hunt with reirelics and Tennessee, and we are kinda holdin off for a little wetter and cooler weather. Welcome to the hobby, come on over to W Tennessee and we'll find a few of our hunted out sites for ya.

[wesware]

Thanks Man!

I will certainly take you guys up on it.
I'll even buy lunch! :)

Thanks for looking at the picts as well.

[southernokie81]

I would appreciate any civil war sites to hunt. I live in florida and I go to the beaches as we dont have alot of civil war places you can go to.

[southernokie81]

little about myself my name is Jacob i am 26 just got interested in metal detecting. I always loved history and didnt know anything about civil war metal detecting until i search civil war guns and battles. If anyone has and help or tips I have a ace garrett 250. I have taken it to the beach a few times gotten alot of hits but couldnt dig anything up after spending alot of time digging for it. Does anyone know where to hunt for civil war things? I joined northern virginia relic hunters. I would like to be able to go out and hunt a place without having to get knock on people doors. Any ideas or tips are appreciated.