301-582-3885
Maryland Cracker Barrel Magazine
Celebrating 50 Years
Civil War Footsteps:
Discovery Of Silver Badge Leads Clem Brothers
To Uncover Story of
Gettysburg Veteran
By Richard Clem
Reminisce with us as we look back on the memories of a few of Washington County's residents. Excerpts featured here are from the current Spring 2024 issue.
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Maryland Cracker Barrel Magazine: Sentinel of Washington County's Heritage
"Encamped near this little county crossroads in southern Washington County, Maryland, the New York ofcer lost more than a good night’s sleep. Yes, a small personal item lost over 125 years ago, provided the background for this story. The day after Thanksgiving, November 28, 1986, dawned cold and cloudy as my brother Don and I continued our search for relics in an old Civil War campsite near Lappan’s Crossroad. At the time of the Civil War, this
area was known Jones’ Crossroads. We had searched for this camp mentioned in official records for a long time...."
Civil War Footsteps:
Lappan’s Crossroads Search
Yields “A Legacy In Lead”
By Richard Clem
"During the Civil War a very small percentage of a soldier’s time was spent in battle or combat duty. What has escaped the writer’s pen is the miles of strenuous marching and the day-after-day of boring camp life. Many played cards and checkers to pass away the hours. Some would write letters to sweethearts and the folks back home, when the all-valuable “postage stamp” was available. Another favorite pastime was the art of 'bullet carving.' Due to their softness, a lead bullet could be easily whittled or carved. With a good sharp pocket knife and a little imagination, a battle-weary veteran could create any shaped object that came to mind...."
Civil War Footsteps:
“What Are The Odds?”
Broken Gettysburg ID Tag
Reconnected After 158 Years
By Richard Clem
"Those who search for Civil War relics with a metal detector will agree the 'ultimate' find is anything with an ID that can be traced back to the individual soldier who once owned it. Unfortunately, most relic hunters search for decades never uncovering one of these extremely rare items. As the title goes, 'What Are The Odds?' of digging up three of these personal ID’d objects from the same campsite?"
