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Jim Ogden
A dime dated 1863 and a wedding band, found side by side under several inches of soil on a Chickamauga farm, are the kind of Civil War artifacts that pique the interest of a relic hunter like Con Kellerhals.
“I try to imagine what in the world could have happened,” the longtime Catoosa County educator said. “It’s kind of sad. This guy not only lost a dime, he lost his wedding band and possibly his life.”
Most Civil War artifacts are less unique — from bullets and buttons to tin cans and canteens.
But these remnant treasures from the “watershed event” of our nation’s past tell important stories, and provide valuable insight into history, Chickamauga Battlefield historian Jim Ogden said.
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Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding -- Barry and Aileen Konovitch look at small collected Civil War items displayed in a case at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. The Konovitches, from Florida, were on vacation and working their way north touring Civil War battlefields.
There is sometimes is tension between relic hunters and archeologists.
Experts said the friction arises when a novice seeking treasure robs the public of clues to the past by the careless extraction of relics.
The search
The search for artifacts is like piecing together a puzzle, experts said. Reference books may be used to identify finds. Hunters consult other Civil War enthusiasts or put photos online to help identify their finds.
The search is exciting, hunters said.
“It gets your heart pumping, and you want to hunt some more,” said Kevin Walls with the Chattanooga Area Relic and Historic Association.
Mr. Ogden said there is more importance to a new find than just the object. Its value involves the object’s location, and its context with events, place and other items.
For example, a group of cans or bullets can indicate an area used by soldiers as a camp. “You can determine the layout of the tents in the camp sites,” Mr. Ogden said.
Mr. Kellerhals said the most common items are Union relics.
“The Union had a lot more stuff,” he said. “Their bullets were manufactured and mass produced. The Confederate soldiers, most of them just used whatever gun they had around the house.”
Armed with metal detectors and shovels, relic hunters typically search their own property or get permission to search on someone else’s private property.
National Park Service officials stress it’s a federal crime to do any relic hunting at Chickamauga Battlefield, and at many other protected properties.
“Some folks are just not aware that it is inappropriate or illegal to hunt for artifacts on the battlefield,” Mr. Ogden said.
Those who are caught relic hunting in the park could face misdemeanor or felony charges.
“It crosses the felony threshold pretty quickly,” Mr. Ogden said.
Preservation and protection
Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia were the stage for some critical Civil War events — such as the battles at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Relics left behind can provide deeper understanding of solider and civilian life, or the logistics of battles.
“Where they are found and what they are could potentially tell us something more about how the battle unfolded,” Mr. Ogden said.
The Chattanooga Area Relic and Historic Association is dedicated to preserve and protect history, Mr. Walls said, Though found items have monetary value, most agree the historic and cultural value is most important.
“I wouldn’t sell them a bullet for $100, but I’ll give them one,” Mr. Walls said about people with an interest. “It is about preserving our history and sharing it with other people.”
Despite good intentions of some, experts said there are those only in it for the money.
Mr. Kellerhals and Mr. Walls said they have heard of people faking artifacts to sell.
FAST FACTS
* More common relics include minié balls, round balls, shrapnel, buttons, breast plates, forks, knifes, cans.
* Bullets may be pristine, like a dropped bullet shed during rapid retreat, or deformed by being fired or have teeth marks. If anesthesia ran out, a soldier may have had to “bite the bullet” during surgery.
* A Union belt buckle in good condition might sell for $200 to $250. An average Confederate belt buckle could bring $2,500.
* Relic hunters and archeologists worked together at Chickamauga before the U.S. 27 bypass was built. Mr. Ogden said he hopes working together helped bridge the gap.
Not many stores in the area sell relics, but there are frequently trade shows. Anyone buying an item at a store or online should “beware,” Mr. Walls said, and buy from a reputable dealer.
Education for generations
Members of the Chattanooga relic and historic group often visit schools to try and educate the next generation.
Mr. Walls said Civil War history may be a small part of the school curriculum. But he said many children are interested in the Civil War and the relics left behind.
“One of the first schools I went to in 1988 — about five years later a boy came up to me and said, ‘You gave me a bullet, and I still have it and really love history because of that,’” he said.
As years pass there are fewer artifacts to find, but experts said new metal detecting technology still makes it possible to discover great finds.
And Mr. Kellerhals said, for him, one of the most intriguing aspects of Civil War history is that so much of it happened right in his own back yard.
“I’ve been other places and found stuff, and they just don’t mean as much to me as the things I find 100 yards from my house,” he said.
