I was thankful it wasn’t a soda can. A puzzling semi-curved artifact, four inches long and an inch wide, stared back at me. Discarded in the fog of 18th century war, a beam of sunlight now framed the gracefully entwined letters. I scratched my head; they defied immediate recognition. Suddenly, their silent identity could not be denied: “USA.” Remembering an identical example shown to me sometime ago in a private collection, it was the knuckle guard to one of Lafayette’s NCO sabers! I will not bore the reader with a description of my spirited impersonation of “Dancing with the Stars”...simply place yourself in my shoes. Believing a corresponding sword belt plate was nearby should have powered the search further. Honestly, though, I just couldn’t concentrate. A decision to leave was the only solution.
10-foot square. Culminating the progression of recoveries, a cuff button, after careful brushing, revealed the motto: “Inimica Tyrannis” (Latin for “An enemy to Tyrants”), surrounding an arm holding a drawn sword. These buttons were issued to the Continental Regiment formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1777.
“Rocky Mystery”
Broken guard from a Continental Army Light Infantry NCO’s sword. Note the intertwined “USA.”
“Pride and Prejudice” An enigma, such saber guards removed from an undetermined number of handles by American soldiers creates a foundation for speculation. Possible reasons for altering the guards were an inherent design defect or simple prejudice. Keep in mind the home grown style “U.S.A.” letters commonly found on Continental uniform buttons were a source of American pride. Battle hardened veterans might hold in contempt the French style script “USA” on their equipment. Then again, maybe it was just a natural break. We will probably never know.
“Pocket full of Artifacts” Returning a half dozen times since that day, the top six inches of rocky soil, minus metallic trash, has produced a mini treasure-trove of various recoveries, including civilian style buttons, shoe buckles, lead bale seals, an iron Jews harp, gimlet, razor, and a cuff link with a blue green stone. A double “D” sling buckle belonging to a cartridge box and two different flap clasps were also found in a 50 50
2010 2010 American American Digger Digger Magazine Magazine Sampler Sampler
On my final search of the camp, a smaller coil proved useful in hunting nooks and crannies of the boulders. This tactic produced, among other relics, a French Charleville musket cock, the amber flint locked in its jaws for over 225 years. Anticipating heavy relic hunting pressure when news of my success broke, two years of secrecy had protected the owner’s trust in me.
“A Picture, a Thousand Words” Returning on business, I decided to visit the landowner. His house was empty. Speaking with a neighbor, I learned of his death. The property would be sold. Now, a recovered portion of America’s past would no longer be whispered. The moment to divulge my story was at hand. Examining my display case, the rescued artifacts reflected memories of each find, many representing an individual trip. Failing to accomplish my goal, I didn’t recover the coveted sword belt plate. Still, glancing at the USA sword guard triggered a response. This time, without assistance from a metal detector, a metaphor flowed thru my mind: “Success is never so sweet as when it is accompanied by a failure”.
About The Author Charles Salerno is a retired New York city firefighter who researches and recovers Revolutionary War camps and artifacts. He has enjoyed pursuing this hobby for over 27 years. Sept-Oct 2010 American Digger Magazine Sept-Oct 2010 American Digger Magazine
23 23