Tom Hughes
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- May 27, 2019
- Location
- Mississippi
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bones were collected at stored at a curation facility.I’m not sure. Although I know they weren’t buried at Vicksburg Park.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bones were collected at stored at a curation facility.I’m not sure. Although I know they weren’t buried at Vicksburg Park.
I think that's the real take-away from artifacts like this.
It was fired and then ended someone's life.
That someone died and filled an unmarked grave for over a century.
620,000 question marks.
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The Friends of Raymond did an archaeology survey south of Hwy. 18 and lots of stuff was found too. Its amazing how much stuff is still in the area.I know exactly where this site is as RP dug it back in Jan 1970 and according to his hunting log it was a mass grave that included both US & CS buttons. We have hunted this area a few times and it still gives up some nice relics.
Many times, one can look at the distorted end of the projectile and with a glass or other magnification, if the bullet hit a soldier, there will be the weave, of the cloth impressed, in the lead. The cloth was usually the first thing hit and was carried into the body cavity with the projectile, almost like a machinist punch. Take a look at yours under magnification and let us know if you see a checkered weave.This is a fired .58 caliber minie ball that was found in the skeletal remains of a Confederate soldier who was killed during the Battle of Raymond, MS on May 12, 1863.
It's a little morbid, I know.
But how many minie balls have been found that you know 100% entered the body of the enemy during combat?
Back in the early 1970's during road construction of Hwy. 18, a salvage archaeology operation revealed several skeletons of Confederate soldiers. Based on the position, it is pretty certain they were members of the famed 7th Texas Infantry. This fighting unit suffered over 50% casualties during the battle:
22 killed
66 wounded
70 captured
This bullet almost certainly felled one of those 22 boys from Texas.
"It was the 7th Texas which had struck us, a regiment which had never been beaten in any fight. We soon found they didn't
scare worth a cent."
- Lt. Henry O. Dwight, 20th Ohio Infantry, USA
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Many times, one can look at the distorted end of the projectile and with a glass or other magnification, if the bullet hit a soldier, there will be the weave, of the cloth impressed, in the lead. The cloth was usually the first thing hit and was carried into the body cavity with the projectile, almost like a machinist punch. Take a look at yours under magnification and let us know if you see a checkered weave.
I will.Many times, one can look at the distorted end of the projectile and with a glass or other magnification, if the bullet hit a soldier, there will be the weave, of the cloth impressed, in the lead. The cloth was usually the first thing hit and was carried into the body cavity with the projectile, almost like a machinist punch. Take a look at yours under magnification and let us know if you see a checkered weave.
Many times, one can look at the distorted end of the projectile and with a glass or other magnification, if the bullet hit a soldier, there will be the weave, of the cloth impressed, in the lead. The cloth was usually the first thing hit and was carried into the body cavity with the projectile, almost like a machinist punch. Take a look at yours under magnification and let us know if you see a checkered weave.
Me too.That gives you chills. It's also a really good reminder how many men still lay in forgotten graves. I realize it's over 150 years ago but it always gets to me.