5/27/2023
Mr. Nick Brainard, Son of my longtime friend from Monticello, Arkansas, Meigs Brainard, has certainly had some good luck of late. Last Summer, at a Missouri Troop Confederate Cavalry Camp here in Arkansas, Nick dug a very nice Silver Crescent hatpin with script letters on it possibly Id’ing it to a specific soldier. If that wasn’t good enough last month, Nick recovered not one, but two, Very Rare, and very nice dropped, .69 caliber, “Arkansas Hog” bullets, also known as French Mangeot bullets, at one site, and a bit later Another “Arkansas Hog” bullet, a tin back Block I Confederate button, and the top to a powder flask, at a different location. Of course, the only recovery location Nick gave for any of these finds, was “South Arkansas.” Being a friend of the family, I have naturally volunteered to help where needed on any further excursions this year ! Congratulations Nick Brainard !
|
 |
| A Pair of Nick Brainard's "Arkansas Hog" Bullets recovered in April of this year, 2023. |
|
|
 |
| ANOTHER "Arkansas Hog" Bullet, along with a Tin Back Block -I- Confederate Infantry Button, and the top to a powder flask, also recovered by Nick Brainard. |
|
|
[ 3-19-2023 ] Wow, Rick Steed in South Arkansas recently had some great luck. Among a few bullets, and a nice eagle button, Rick dug one of the prettiest eagle breast plates I have seen come out of the ground in a long time. Super nice detail on the face, looks like nearly full lead solder fill, and incredibly both iron loops still intact. It is just amazing to me that 160 years later, a plate can still be recovered with the loops present. Last time I dug one with intact loops was in the 1990’s, but the soil up here in NW Arkansas is pretty hot. That south Arkansas soil where Rick has been hunting, may be a little kinder. Congratulations Rick !! SB
|
 |
| Rick Steed's Super Nice Eagle Breast Plate Still Lying in the Hole |
|
|
 |
| Rick Steed's Super Nice Eagle Breast Plate Just Out Of The Ground |
|
|
 |
| Rick Steed's Breast Plate with Just The Dirt Wiped Off |
|
|
 |
| Reverse of Steed's Super Nice Eagle Breast Plate Showing the near full Lead Solder Fill and Intact Iron Loops |
|
|
|