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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25 Archaeological Survey LFCC Student CenterAn Ar c h A e o l o g i c A l Su r v e y o f t h e Pr o P o S e d St u d e n t ce n t e r Building , lo r d fA i r f A x co m m u n i t y co l l e g e , mi d d l e t o w n , virgini A Pr e P a r e d f o r : Lord Fairfax Community College Foundation Board Pr e P a r e d b y : William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research An Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Student Center Building, Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown, Virginia VDHR File No. Unassigned WMCAR Project No. 11-17 Pr e P a r e d f o r : Lord Fairfax Community College Foundation Board 173 Skirmisher Lane Middletown, Virginia 22645 (540) 868-4077 Pr e P a r e d b y : William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research The College of William and Mary P.O. Box 8795 Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795 (757) 221-2580 au t h o r : William H. Moore Pr o j e c t di r e c t o r : Joe B. Jones aP r i l 21, 2014 ii Ma n a g e M e n t Su M M a r y The William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research conducted archaeological survey of the proposed Student Center Building project area on the campus of Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) in Middletown, Virginia from July 5–8, 2011. This study was conducted in accordance with an agreement with the Lord Fairfax Community College Foundation Board (LFCCFB). The purpose of the study was to pro- vide specific information concerning the nature and distribution of archaeological resources within the project area. The project area is located along the east side of Route 11 immediately north of Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia. The proposed project will involve construction of a Student Center Building on a footprint of approximately 13,000–16,000 ft.² (1,208–1,486 m²) plus ap- proximately 2 acres (0.8 ha) of parking lots and associated improvements for a total area of poten- tial effect (APE) of 2.75 acres (1.1 ha). The APE occupies a portion of a larger parcel owned by the LFCCFB that is immediately adjacent to the Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown Campus (LFCC). The project area is located within the previously recorded battlefield of the Battle of Cedar Creek (VDHR Architectural Resource 034-0303) and is situated immediately northeast of a previously re- corded archaeological site (Site 44FK0622), which has been interpreted as the location of a temporary artillery battery position (Light Battery B, 5th US Artillery). Commanded by Captain Henry A. DuPont, the battery has been recognized by histo- rians for its pivotal role in the Union victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. During the archaeological survey of the 256- x-481-ft. (78-x-147-m) project area, a total of 75 shovel tests were excavated, of which 5 (7%) were positive for artifacts. Additional historic artifacts were recovered from 26 metal detector targets. These efforts confirm that the extent of previously recorded Site 44FK0622 extends northeast across the entire project area. The combined results of systematic metal detector and shovel test surveys indicate the presence of a dispersed subsurface scatter of artifacts consisting of military, domestic, and architectural material that represent remains of battle activities, as well as a possible military encampment component that represents encamp- ment sometime either before or after the Battle of Cedar Creek. Overall, the results of systematic shovel testing and metal detecting combined with documentary evidence indicate that the entire APE is situated within the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield. The identification of diagnostic artillery and small arms ammunition that represent potential battle lines or positions indicates that archaeo- logical deposits within the project area and the surrounding battlefield have sufficient archaeo- logical integrity and potential to yield important information about the Battle of Cedar Creek. The possible remains of a Civil War military encamp- ment have the potential to provide details relating to the duration and intensity of the occupation as well as more general information about varia- tion in Civil War camp structure and function in the Shenandoah Valley. Given the potential to provide significant information about the Military/Defense theme during the Civil War (1861–1865), the archaeological resources identified within the proposed Student Center Building project area are recommended as potentially contributing to the NRHP eligibil- ity of Site 44FK0622 and the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield under Criterion D; Criteria A through C are considered not applicable. The contributing resources within Site 44FK0622 should be avoided. If avoidance is not feasible, more work is recommended to determine whether the archaeological resources within the project area contribute to the eligibility of Site 44FK0622 for the NRHP under Criterion D. iii Co n t e n t S Management Summary ...............................................................................................................ii Figures ......................................................................................................................................iii Tables .......................................................................................................................................iii 1: Project Background ...................................................................................................................1 2: Project Methods ........................................................................................................................5 3: Historical Context ...................................................................................................................11 4: Survey Results, Research Summary, and Recommendations ....................................................17 References Cited .....................................................................................................................25 Appendix A: Artifact Inventory Fi g u r e S 1 Project area location ..................................................................................................................1 2 Project area and environs ...........................................................................................................2 3 Previously identified archaeological resources within 1.6 km (1 mi.) of the project area .............6 4 Excavation of Metal Detector Target 112, looking east .............................................................8 5 Detail of antebellum map, showing project vicinity .................................................................13 6 Detail of Confederate map of the Battle of Cedar Creek, showing project vicinity ...................14 7 Detail of Union map, showing project vicinity ........................................................................15 8 Site 44FK0622, plan of 2011 WMCAR investigations ............................................................19 9 Site 44FK0622, Civil War artillery and ammunition recovered during survey .........................20 10 Site 44FK0622, other historic artifacts attributable to the Civil War military component .......21 11 Site 44FK0622, Shovel Tests 32, 48, and 72, profiles ..............................................................22 ta b l e S 1 Summary of previously identified archaeological sites within 1 mi. (1.6 km) of the project area .........................................................................7 1 1: Project Background in t r o d u C t i o n The William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research (WMCAR) conducted archaeological survey of the proposed Student Center Building project area on the campus of Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) in Middletown, Virginia from July 5–8, 2011 (Figure 1). This study was conducted in accordance with an agree- ment with the Lord Fairfax Community College Foundation Board (LFCCFB). The purpose of the study was to provide specific information concerning the nature and distribution of archaeo- logical resources within the project area. The investigation was carried out under the general supervision of WMCAR Director Joe B. Jones. Project Archaeologist Will Moore was responsible for organization and implementa- tion of the archaeological field program as well as preparation of the final report. Mr. Moore was assisted in the field by Jack Aube, Stephanie McGuire, Oliver Mueller-Heubach, and Harry Schmitz. Deborah L. Davenport supervised laboratory processing and conducted the historic artifact analysis. David Lewes produced the final report, and final illustrations were prepared by Eric A. Agin. All project-related documenta- tion and artifacts are temporarily stored at the WMCAR in Williamsburg, Virginia, referenced under WMCAR project number 11-17. de SC ription a n d en v i r o n M e n t a l Se t t i n g o F t h e pr o j e C t ar e a The project area is located along the east side of Route 11 immediately north of Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia (Figure 2). The proposed project will involve construction of a Student Center Building on a footprint of ap- proximately 13,000–16,000 ft.² (1,208–1,486 m²) plus approximately 2 acres (0.8 ha) of park- ing lots and associated improvements for a total area of potential effect (APE) of 2.75 acres (1.1 ha). The APE occupies a portion of a larger par- cel owned by the LFCCFB that is immediately adjacent to the Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown Campus (LFCC). The project area is located within the previ- ously recorded battlefield of the Battle of Cedar Creek (VDHR Architectural Resource 034- 0303), which involved an early morning attack on October 19, 1864 by the Confederate Army of General Jubal A. Early on Union forces under General Philip Sheridan that drove the Union forces from a point south of Middletown north to a point about one mile north of Middletown. At about 4 PM that day, the Union Army counter- attacked and completely routed the Confederate Figure 1. Project area location. 2 PROJECT AREA Figure 2. Project area and environs (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] 1999). 3 forces, driving them south beyond Strasburg, Virginia. The Union forces subsequently held control of the Shenandoah Valley until the end of the war. In addition to being located within the boundaries of the recorded battlefield resource, the sensitivity of the project area for containing archaeological resources associated with the Battle of Cedar Creek is further indicated by relatively recent archaeological investigations on the LFCC campus that involved the identification and ar- chaeological study of Site 44FK0622 within the proposed site of the Corron Center at LFCC. Study of Site 44FK0622 revealed relatively undis- turbed deposits of diagnostic Civil War military artifacts associated with the Battle of Cedar Creek, which offered interpretable patterning across the site area representative of various actions during the battle. The project area lies within the northern por- tion of the Shenandoah Valley. More specifically, it is situated along a narrow ridge that is dissected by Meadow Brook and its tributaries to the north and Dry Run and its tributaries to the south. The landscape within the project area is mostly open pasture with just a few nut and fruit trees scattered throughout. Adjacent to Route 11 and within the northwestern portion of the property, the topography is relatively flat. From the middle of the project area, the topography slopes gently toward its eastern and southeastern boundar- ies. The soil is composed of relatively shallow, well-drained Carbo and Carbo-Oaklet silt loam (Natural Resources Conservation Service 2011). 4 5 2: Project Methods in t r o d u C t i o n The survey expectations set forth in this chap- ter were generated from inspection of archival resources, archaeological site records, and rel- evant cultural resource management reports. A discussion of the objectives and methods used to complete the archaeological survey of the proposed LFCC Student Center Building APE is also presented. ba C k g r o u n d re S e a r C h Me t h o d S a n d Su r v e y ex p e C t a t i o n S Historical and archaeological background research included inspection of archaeological site records, archival cartographic sources, and reports of professional archaeological work relevant to the project area stored at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), LFCC, the WMCAR, and Swem Library at the College of William and Mary. The Data Sharing System (DSS) provided by the VDHR was consulted for previously recorded sites within a 1-mi. (1.6- km) radius of the project area. The results of the background research show a high potential for identifying historic archaeological resources within the project area. The review of archaeological site files on VDHR’s DSS augmented by a visit to the VDHR Archives indicated that two previously recorded archaeological sites (44FK0055 and 44FK0622) are located within a 1.0 mi. (1.6 km) radius of the project area (Table 1; Figure 3). Site 44FK0055 is a multicomponent archaeo- logical site identified approximately 1.0 mi. (1.6 km) north of the project area by Thunderbird Archaeological Associates in 1985 during an archaeological survey of the proposed Meadow Brook substation. The site consists of a scatter of historic domestic artifacts associated with the structural remains of a nineteenth-century dwell- ing as well as a scatter of prehistoric lithic debitage of undetermined age (VDHR site files). Site 44FK0622 consists of a subsurface scatter of diagnostic Civil War military artifacts associ- ated with the Battle of Cedar Creek that was iden- tified immediately southwest of the project area in 2005 by members of the Archeological Society of Virginia. Subsequent archaeological survey and data recovery investigations of the proposed LFCC Corron Center conducted by ECS Mid- Atlantic, LLC (ECS) from 2005–2006 resulted in the identification of relatively undisturbed ar- chaeological deposits which offered interpretable patterning across the site area representative of various actions during the battle (Huston 2007). Ultimately, the archaeological resources identified within Site 44FK0622 were interpreted as the location of a temporary position of an artillery battery (Light Battery B, 5th US Artillery) com- manded by Captain Henry A. DuPont that played a pivotal role in the Union victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. Fi e l d Me t h o d S The archaeological survey involved complete, systematic pedestrian survey of the 2.75-acre project area, including both surface examination and shovel testing. Shovel testing was undertaken 6 44FK0055 44FK0622 PROJECT AREA Figure 3. Previously identified archaeological resources within 1.6 km (1 mi.) of the project area (USGS 1999). 7 at intervals of not more than 50 ft. (15 m) in un- disturbed areas with slopes of 10 percent or less. Waterlogged areas were not systematically shovel tested, nor were areas where previous construction disturbance and/or deep fill deposition is evident. Additional radial shovel tests were excavated at half intervals or less around selected positive shovel tests as necessary to delineate the limits of subsurface artifact scatters. Given that the project area lies within the boundaries of the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield (034-0303), a metal detector survey was con- ducted within the project area for Civil War archaeological resources (Figure 4). The metal detector survey was conducted along intersect- ing north/south and east/west transects that were spaced 50 ft. (15 m) apart and between shovel test transects. Metal detector targets were temporarily flagged, checked, and unambiguously modern materials (e.g., metal beverage containers, pull tabs) were discarded in the field and not recorded. Positive targets were mapped and collected for analysis. Project Archaeologist Will Moore and WMCAR staff member Jack Aube conducted the metal detector survey using a Vaquero model detector manufactured by Tesoro. All relevant survey information, including shovel test locations, metal detector target loca- tions, and disturbed areas, was recorded on 8.5- x-11-in. sheets of metric-ruled graph paper via shovel test locations. The soil from each shovel test was screened through 0.25-in. (0.64-cm) wire mesh, and representative soil profiles were recorded on standardized forms using Munsell color and U.S. Department of Agriculture de- scriptive terminology (Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation 1992). All recovered artifacts were returned to the WMCAR laboratory for washing, identification, and cataloging. All artifacts were prepared for curation according to the standards of the VDHR. An inventory was produced using a standard descriptive typology for artifacts (Appendix A). The WMCAR has developed a hierarchical cod- ing system that operates using Microsoft Access relational database software. With this system, ar- tifacts are coded on standard data sheets for entry into a data file. Using this file, overall inventories and particularistic data reports can be generated for inclusion in reports or for routine analysis. de F inition S Archaeological surveys require simultaneous consideration of both human behavioral patterns and cultural resource management concerns. Technically, a strict definition of archaeological resources would require that all traces of human activity be designated as a site, a clearly impracti- cal situation. Therefore, this field survey utilized two designations for the archaeological resources encountered during the survey—site and location. Although somewhat arbitrary in construct and application, these definitions represent a workable though not infallible compromise. An archaeological site is defined as any appar- ent location of human activity not limited to the simple loss, or casual or single-episode discard of artifacts. A site has sufficient archaeological evi- dence to indicate that further testing would pro- re S o u r C e pe r i o d ty p e reCo r d e d b y /da t e 44FK0055 Unknown prehistoric Lithic scatter TAA 1985 Late 19th c. Dwelling 44FK0622 Civil War battlefield Artillery position ASV 2005 TAA=Thunderbird Archaeological Associates; ASV=Archeological Society of Virginia Table 1. Summary of previously identified archaeological sites within 1 mi. (1.6 km) of the project area. 8 duce interpretable archaeological data. In contrast, a location is defined as an area marked by surface indications and little else, and/or the recovery of artifacts that are clearly redeposited, or the result of casual or single-episode discard. Examples of locations are an isolated projectile point find or a very low density scatter of nonstructural historic artifacts. Locations are also defined as isolated finds of lithic material of questionable cultural origin, such as possible fire-cracked rock or deb- itage. In addition, areas containing archaeological material less than 50 years old are also recorded as locations. In application, both of these definitions require a certain degree of judgment in the field and con- sideration of a number of variables. Contextual factors such as prior disturbance and secondary deposition must be taken into account. The representativeness of the sample, as measured by such factors as the degree of surface exposure and shovel test interval, must also be considered when determining the nature of an archaeologi- cal resource. la b o r a t o r y M e t h o d S All artifacts recovered were returned to the labora- tory at the WMCAR for washing, identification, numbering, and cataloging. Following analysis, an inventory was assembled using a standard descriptive typology for prehistoric and historic artifacts (Appendix A). All artifacts were prepared for curation according to the standards of the VDHR. The WMCAR has developed a hierarchical coding system that operates using Microsoft Access relational database software. With this system, artifacts are coded during analysis on Figure 4. Excavation of Metal Detector Target 112, looking east. 9 standard data sheets for entry into a data file. Using this file, overall project inventories as well as particularistic data reports can be readily gener- ated for inclusion in reports or for routine analysis. Basic categories identified are described below. Historic Artifact Analysis The hierarchical historic artifact coding scheme in- cludes both functional and temporal dimensions. At the most general level material is classified according to “Group”, which would include the “Food Preparation/Consumption, Architectural, Furniture, Arms and Military, Clothing, Personal, Medicinal/Hygiene, Domestic Activities, Activities, Smoking, Industrial/Commercial, and Unassigned” categories. Subsumed within the “Groups” are artifact “Classes”, including, for example, “Ceramic Cooking/Storage, Ceramic Tableware, Glass Tableware, Window Glass, Nails, Firearm, Apparel, and Writing” categories. The next level comprises “Objects” that describe specific artifact forms such as “Flatware, Jug, Jar, Bowl, Nail, Door Knob, Musket Ball, Button, and Auto Part”. Temporally diagnostic charac- teristics are described as “Datable Attributes” such as “Creamware: Edged, Pearlware: Mocha, Whiteware: Flow Blue, Wrought [nail], and Cut [nail]”. An additional descriptive level is provided under the “Descriptor” category that includes such information as coin dates, pipe stem bore diameters, glass color, and vessel part. Each artifact category, with the exception of shell, is further recorded by count with respect to provenience. Shell, brick, and coal/cinders are measured by weight with respect to provenience. The results of analysis are tabulated in a comprehensive inven- tory by context. Building on the results of the basic analysis and inventory, more specific studies of the his- toric artifact assemblage can be conducted to better understand site structure, function, and age. For example, the distributions of various “Groups” and “Classes” of artifacts across the site can be analyzed to identify various activity areas and structural loci. The approximate time spans of availability of certain temporally diagnostic artifacts can indicate the range of occupation for the site. Differential distributions of temporally diagnostic artifacts representing different periods of occupation of the site can potentially reveal changes in site structure over time. Features or discrete, intact cultural deposits may be assigned a terminus post quem (TPQ) date, where the quantities of associated temporally diagnostic artifacts allow. This represents a date after which the context was deposited and is determined by the earliest possible dates of availability for the youngest diagnostic artifact(s) in the context. Analysis of historic artifacts was aided by the following references: The Parks Canada Glass Glossary by Jones and Sullivan (1985), A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America by Noël Hume (1991), Philbin and Ettlinger’s (1988) guide to hardware, Lee Nelson’s (1968) nail chronology, an Introduction to Civil War Small Arms by Coates and Thomas (1990), A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges by Thomas and Thomas (2007), Civil War Collector’s Encyclopedia Volumes I and II by Lord (1995), Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons by Albert (1976), and two volumes on excavated Civil War artifacts by Phillips (1974 and 1980). ar t i F a C t Cu r a t i o n All prehistoric and historic materials generated by this project were curated according to stan- dards outlined in 36 CFR Part 79 Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections. All curated artifacts were washed and placed in resealable polyurethane bags with labels. These, in turn, were logically ordered in acid-free Hollinger boxes for permanent storage. Materials recovered are temporarily stored at WMCAR until final disposition is arranged. 10 11 3: Historical Context This chapter reviews the history for the environs of the project area to provide a general context for understanding the archaeological resources identified within the proposed LFCC Student Center Building project area. More specifically, this context is designed to provide the relevant background for assessing the research potential and significance of archaeological resources identified there. Much of the following context is based on previous research conducted by Stuck et al. (1994) for a previous WMCAR investigation within Frederick County. The original histori- cal research by WMCAR was conducted at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, and the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. This overview in- cludes a background history of the project area from a regional perspective, as well as discussion of specific contexts focused within the project area, whenever relevant, that lend to expectations about archaeological sensitivity. Se t t l e M e n t t o So C i e t y (1607–1750) European-American settlement in the Shenandoah Valley occurred during the 1730s, as families entered the lower Valley from Pennsylvania (Norris 1890:51). There was a general migra- tion of German and Scots-Irish farmers from Pennsylvania into western Maryland and Virginia. Farmland in these areas was cheap, and the governors of both states, anxious to have the frontier settled, adopted a general policy of le- niency toward Lutherans, Quakers, and other non-Anglican Protestants (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:13). In 1730, Yost Hite and Isaac Vanmeter obtained a grant for 40,000 acres in what is now Frederick County (Quarles 1971:123). By 1738, there was sufficient population in the lower Valley for the General Assembly to create Frederick County, although it was not officially organized until 1743 (Norris 1890:71). Co l o n y t o na t i o n (1750–1789) The town of Winchester, the new county seat, grew quickly. It was located on a major north- south thoroughfare, and by 1757 there were half a dozen taverns in town to serve travelers (Morton 1925:51). An ironworks was established during the 1760s west of the town, along Cedar Creek (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:35). By the time of the American Revolution, three additional coun- ties to the west and south had been formed from Frederick County. During the Revolution, the famed militia unit known as Morgan’s Riflemen was raised in Frederick County (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:30). British and Hessian prisoners of war were sent to Winchester and housed in bar- racks just west of the town (Greene 1926:81). ea r l y na t i o n a l pe r i o d (1789–1830) Frederick County prospered during the first half of the nineteenth century. Farmers cultivated grain in the fertile Shenandoah Valley. Grain produc- tion was a tradition brought from Pennsylvania and other northern states. After the Revolution, newly opened grain markets in Europe increased the profitability of the crop. Unlike the tobacco planters in the eastern Tidewater region of the 12 state, grain farmers in the western counties did not require a large labor force. Consequently, slavery did not exist on a large scale in this region. There was also a large population of free blacks in the Valley (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:40). an t e b e l l u M pe r i o d (1830–1860) Gristmills and sawmills were numerous in and around Winchester by the Antebellum period (Figure 5). Woolen mills were established in Winchester as well. In 1836, the county assumed its present size when Clarke and Warren coun- ties were formed (Ebert & Lazazzera 1988:20). Turnpikes, canals, and railroads were built dur- ing the second quarter of the nineteenth century. By mid-century, the macadamized Valley and Northwest turnpikes extended from Winchester, along with the Martinsburg, Berryville, and North Frederick turnpikes (Morton 1925:104; Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:45). The Winchester & Potomac Railroad was completed by 1836, connecting with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Harper’s Ferry. th e Civil Wa r (1861–1865) When the Civil War began most of the counties in the Shenandoah Valley, including Frederick, vot- ed against secession (Quarles 1971:3). However, with the passing of the Ordinance of Secession in April of 1861, Frederick County immediately raised troops, and the first units of militia vol- unteers marched north to capture the Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Although small skirmishes occurred across the Valley, Frederick County remained mostly untouched by Union forces for the first year of the war (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:52). Winchester and its productive farmland stood at the northern entrance to the Shenandoah Valley and were located on a main route to Washington, D.C. (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:52). For these reasons, the town became a focal point of conflict as Union and Confederate forces sought control of the area. Between 1862 and 1864, the First and Second Battles of Kernstown; the First, Second, and Third Battles of Winchester; and the Battle of Cedar Creek took place in the town’s vicinity. Winchester changed hands 72 times as armies passed through the area (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:52). Wounded soldiers from these and other battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, were also sent to Winchester (Quarles 1971). Map projections indicate that the proposed LFCC Student Center Building is located within the extreme northeastern portion of the core area of the Cedar Creek Battlefield National Historic Landmark (VDHR Architectural Resource 034- 0303) (Gillespie 1874; Hotchkiss 1864) (Figures 6 and 7). The Battle of Cedar Creek is considered one of the last major battles of the Civil War. The Union victory at Cedar Creek effectively marked the end of large-scale Confederate military opera- tions in the Valley, and combined with Sherman’s campaign in Atlanta, ensured President Lincoln’s re-election in 1864 (NPS 2008). The Battle of Cedar Creek involved a pre-dawn attack on October 19, 1864 by the Confederate Army of General Jubal A. Early on Union forces encamped on the north bank of Cedar Creek, a few miles south of the project area. The surprise attack initially overwhelmed the Union troops and forced them to retreat. By that afternoon, how- ever, General Philip Sheridan had rallied his forces approximately one mile north of Middletown. At about 4 PM that day, the Union Army coun- terattacked in the vicinity of the project area and completely routed the Confederate forces, driving them south beyond Strasburg, Virginia. re C o n S t r u C t i o n a n d gr o W t h (1865–1914) After the Civil War, prosperity slowly returned to Frederick County. Commercial apple orchards were planted, and the apple industry became an economic mainstay of the region by the end of the nineteenth century. Winchester regained its 13 standing as a commercial and manufacturing cen- ter, with glove factories, foundries, tanneries, and a paper mill by 1886 (Morton 1925:257). Wo r l d Wa r i t o t h e pr e S e n t Transportation continued to play a major role in the development of Frederick County during the twentieth century. An airstrip was built at PROJECT VICINITY Winchester during the 1920s, along with a rail- road line into the timber-producing region in the western part of the county (Ebert and Lazazzera 1988:147). During the past several decades, Winchester has expanded through suburban de- velopment. Interstate Route 81 was built through the Valley during the 1960s, and Routes 7 and 17 link Winchester with Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Figure 5. Detail of antebellum map, showing project vicinity (Böÿe 1859 [1826]). 14 Figure 6. Detail of Confederate map of the Battle of Cedar Creek, showing project vicinity (Hotchkiss 1864). PROJECT AREA 15 PROJECT AREA Figure 7. Detail of Union map, showing project vicinity (Gillespie 1873). 16 17 4: Survey Results, Research Summary, and Recommendations During the archaeological survey of the proposed LFCC Student Center Building project, a total of 75 systematic shovel tests was excavated, of which five (7%) were positive for artifacts. Additional historic artifacts were recovered from 26 metal detector targets. These efforts confirm that the extent of previously recorded Site 44FK0622 extends northeast across the project area. Details about location, setting, conditions, archaeological results, and research potential are provided in the following chapter, and an inventory of recovered artifacts is provided in Appendix A. Si t e 44Fk0622 Site 44FK0622 is a previously recorded site with evidence of historic occupation dating from the Civil War. Site 44FK0622 was originally discovered during initial land-clearing and grading activities associ- ated with construction of the proposed LFCC Life Sciences Building in 2005. At this time, Michael Kehoe and volunteers of the Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV) conducted a cursory metal detector survey of the property and recovered a small number of Union and Confederate military artifacts (Huston 2007:31). In November and December of 2005, ECS conducted a systematic archaeological survey of the property, involving regular interval shovel testing supplemented by metal detector survey. Although no artifacts were recovered from the shovel tests, additional Civil War military artifacts were recovered as a result of the metal detector sweeps. Data recovery investigations conducted by ECS from February through August 2006 in- volved intensive systematic metal detector sweeps along contiguous 5-ft.- (1.5-m-) wide transects oriented north/south, followed by sweeps of in- tersecting 5-ft.- (1.5-m-) wide transects oriented east/west over the entire 450-x-500-ft. (137-x- 152-m) project area. These efforts resulted in the recovery of a large number of diagnostic Civil War military artifacts, including small arms ammunition, small arms cleaning tools, artillery shell fragments, canister and grapeshot, uniform buttons, field gear, cannon friction primers, coins, horse tack, and horseshoes. The results of the data recovery offered interpretable patterning across the site area representative of various actions during the battle. Ultimately, the archaeological resources identified within Site 44FK0622 were interpreted as the location of a temporary posi- tion of an artillery battery (Light Battery B, 5th US Artillery) commanded by Captain Henry A. DuPont that played a pivotal role in the Union victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. The original boundaries of the site are de- fined arbitrarily as the 5.2 acres (2.1 ha) of the completed LFCC Life Sciences Building project that is situated immediately southwest of the cur- rent LFCC Student Center Building study area. Much of the previously investigated portions of Site 44FC0622 was either destroyed during construction of the new building or was covered by asphalt parking areas associated with the new building. The portion of the previously recorded 18 site that is closest to the current study area is now situated beneath the northeastern edge of the parking area. The site is situated at an elevation of 720 ft. (219.5 m) above mean seal level along a narrow ridge overlooking Meadow Brook approximately 600 ft. (183 m) to the north and an intermittent tributary of Dry Run approximately 220 ft. (67.1 m) to the south (see Figure 2). To date, the ar- chaeological resources documented with the site consist of a continuous, subsurface scatter of Civil War military artifacts representing Union battle positions within the core of the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield. Analysis of Union and Confederate maps clearly indicates that the LFCC Student Center Building study area is located in the vicinity of DuPont’s various battle positions within the Union’s left flank during the fluid afternoon counterattack (see Figure 7). Therefore, Civil War archaeological resources identified within the current study area are likely associated with the previously documented resources within Site 44FK0622 and may help refine our understand- ing of the archaeological site specifically and the battle as a whole. Given the scale of the battle and associated archaeological resources, the current project did not involve boundary delineation. The results of the investigation indicate artifact deposits likely extend beyond the current property boundaries in each cardinal direction. ar C h a e o l o g i C a l Su r v e y During the archaeological survey of the 256-x- 481-ft. (78-x-147-m) project area, a total of 75 shovel tests were excavated, of which 5 (7%) were positive for artifacts. Additional historic artifacts were recovered from 26 metal detector targets (Figure 8). Shovel test and metal detector survey was conducted systematically at regular 50-ft. (15-m) intervals over an informal grid that was established using a compass and pull tapes and oriented with the Valley Pike (Route 11) at a bearing of ap- proximately 40 degrees west of magnetic north. Additional shovel tests were excavated at half in- tervals in selected areas to better define the nature of subsurface artifact scatters identified with regu- lar interval shovel tests. These efforts confirm that the extent of previously recorded Site 44FK0622 extends northeast across the entire project area. The combined results of systematic metal detector and shovel test surveys indicate the presence of a dispersed subsurface scatter of artifacts consisting of military, domestic, and architectural material that represent remains of battle activities, as well as a possible encampment. Overall, the results of systematic shovel testing and metal detecting combined with documentary evidence confirm that the entire study area is situated within the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield. A total of 36 individual historic artifacts and 2.2 g of handmade brick (which was weighed instead of counted) were recovered from the proj- ect area during the study. Recovered diagnostic military artifacts associated with the Battle of Cedar Creek include three conical artillery shell fragments, two pieces of Confederate case shot, one unfired Confederate .58 caliber three-groove minié bullet, one unfired and extracted .58 cali- ber three-groove minié bullet, and one unfired .69 caliber round ball (Figure 9). Generally, the battlefield remains as represented by fired bullets and artillery are concentrated within the low-lying eastern portion of the site, which corresponds well with Gillespie’s map depicting the distribution of Union forces across the topography of the battle- field (see Figures 7 and 8). All but the unfired and extracted bullet are likely attributable to the heavy Confederate fire sustained by the Union left flank during the battle. The three conical artillery shell fragments and two pieces of case shot are consistent with the relatively high number of cannon shrapnel (n=40) recovered during the ECS data recovery of Site 44FK0622 (Huston 2007:37). Conical artillery shells are representative of the introduction of rifled canon, 19 POSITIVE SHOVEL TEST METAL DETECTOR TARGETS NEGATIVE SHOVEL TEST HORSE-RELATED ARTILLERY/AMMUNITION DOMESTIC MISCELLANEOUS/UNIDENTIFIED NAILS Figure 8. Site 44FK0622, plan of 2011 WMCAR investigations. 20 a major innovation in artillery design during the war (Coggins 1990:76–77). Rifled cannon usu- ally fired elongated cylindrical-conical shells with far more accuracy and range than their smooth- bored predecessors. Union and Confederate gun manufacturers built a large variety of rifled cannon during the war. During the initial stages of the Battle of Cedar Creek, however, the advancing Confederate forces captured over a dozen Union field guns, which they used to shell the Union forces as they retreated northward. It is pos- sible that the unfired .69 caliber round ball and unfired Confederate .58 caliber minié bullet are representative of additional Confederate artillery fire given that examples of Confederate case have been found that were filled with conventional rifle bullets either alone or mixed with .69 caliber round balls (Ripley 1970:270). The .58 caliber minié bullet was manufactured for use with the .58 caliber rifle musket, the infan- try weapon used most widely by both sides during the Civil War (Thomas and Thomas 2007:43, 52). Most of the bullets manufactured in the North were machine pressed, while the ones man- ufactured in the South were predominantly cast in moulds. Frequently, the only way to distinguish between a .58 caliber three-groove minié bullet that was manufactured in the South is if the bullet exhibits casting features such as sprue locations or irregularities in the cavity and/or rings such as the nose cast identified on the bullet recovered from MD Target 138. Although the unfired .58 Figure 9. Site 44FK0622, Civil War artillery and ammunition recovered during survey (a - .58 caliber three-groove minié bullet, extracted [MD 88]; b - Confederate .58 caliber three-groove minié bullet with nose cast, unfired, whittled or scraped [MD 138]; c - .69 caliber musket ball, unfired [MD 85]; d - 0.459 and 0.472 in. Confederate case shot [MD 144]; e - conical artillery shell fragment [MD 151]; f - conical artillery shell fragment with fuse hole [MD 109]; g - conical artillery shell fragment [MD 135]). 21 caliber minié bullet recovered from MD Target 88 does not exhibit casting features that would allow us to determine which side manufactured it, the fact that the bullet bears marks indicating that it was extracted indicates the bullet is either associ- ated with a Union battle position or a previously undocumented encampment. The remaining artifacts recovered during the survey include three cast-iron fragments, three scrap iron fragments, two horseshoes, two cut nails, two whiteware ceramic sherds, two iron bars, one unidentified bone fragment, one late eighteenth/nineteenth-century coarse earthenware ceramic sherd, one wrought iron strap hinge, one iron hook or coupling, one iron chain, one pos- sible decorative bone trim piece fragment, one wrought nail, one harmonica reed fragment, one piece of iron strapping, one iron nut with attached bolt fragment, one twentieth-century lead wheel balancing weight, and one mid-twentieth-century wristwatch (Figure 10). With the exception of the wheel weight, wristwatch, and nut/bolt fragment, nearly all of the artifacts recovered within the project area may be attributable to military occupation of the property during the Battle of Cedar Creek. Given that cartographic analysis of Civil War and early twentieth-century topographic maps shows no indication of domestic occupation of the project area during the nineteenth century, Figure 10. Site 44FK0622, other historic artifacts attributable to the Civil War military component (a - brass harmonica reed plate fragment [MD 37]; b - horseshoe fragment [MD 106]; c - wrought iron strap hinge [MD 5]; d - horseshoe fashioned into a hook [MD 7]). 22 it is possible that the domestic and architectural artifacts such as the whiteware ceramic sherds, harmonica reed, strap hinge, nails, and handmade brick may be representative of an undocumented post-battle Union encampment (Lewis 1988:289, Rosenblatt and Rosenblatt 1992:270). Given that Middletown was re-occupied multiple times by Union and Confederate forces during the war, it is also possible that the domestic and architectural artifacts identified within the project area are rep- resentative of an unrelated Civil War encampment that predates the Battle of Cedar Creek. Stratigraphy across the site is generally shal- low and consists of two strata. Stratum I is a post-occupational plowzone of yellowish brown (10YR5/6) silty loam, which extends approxi- mately 0.72 ft. (22 cm) below surface to a strong brown (7.5YR4/6) sterile clay subsoil (Stratum II) (Figure 11). Although all of the artifacts re- covered during the survey were recovered from post-occupational plowzone deposits, the iden- tification of a concentration of fired bullets and ammunition and artillery in the eastern portion of the site indicates the presence of interpretable horizontal artifact patterning and the potential for identifying fluid battle lines and positions within the project area. Su r v e y eF F e C t i v e n e S S The primary purpose of this survey was to pro- vide LFCC with a statement of the nature and distribution of archaeological resources within the proposed Student Center Building project area. The effectiveness of any such survey is contingent upon and limited by the methods employed. The major limitation of the survey was that most of the project area had limited surface visibility, and subsurface testing was necessary. In an effort to control the biases inherent in shovel testing, fill from shovel tests was screened through 0.25-in. (0.64-cm) wire mesh. It has been well documented that metal de- tector survey is the most effective method for conducting archaeological surveys of battlefields (Conner and Scott 1998:80; Jolley 1997:3, 2003:237; Espenshade et al. 2002:59). It is felt that our approach of combining systematic shovel testing with systematic metal detecting has met its intended goals and that no significant archaeologi- I - Yellowish brown (10YR5/6) silty loam II - Strong brown (7.5YR4/6) clay Figure 11. Site 44FK0622, Shovel Tests 32, 48, and 72, profiles. 23 cal resources were overlooked within the proposed project area. Overall, the survey results are con- sistent with the expectations generated by back- ground research for this project, which indicated a high potential for discovering archaeological resources within the project area. Su M M a r y a n d re C o M M e n d a t i o n S Archaeological survey of the proposed LFCC Student Center Building resulted in confirma- tion that the entire study area is encompassed by the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield and that the extent of previously recorded Site 44FK0622 extends northeast across the entire project area. The combined results of systematic metal detector and shovel test surveys indicate the presence of a dispersed subsurface scatter of artifacts consisting of military, domestic, and architectural material that represent remains of battle activities, as well as a possible encampment. One of the primary variables in the success of a metal detector survey is the intensity of the survey. Given that the Civil War military arti- facts recovered from within the project area were identified as a result of a relatively low-intensity survey, involving coverage of only a percentage of the property (i.e. sweeps every 50 ft. [15 m]), it is reasonable to assume that a higher intensity metal detector survey such as the one conducted by ECS during the 2006 data recovery of Site 44FK0622 would produce considerably more information about battle activities within the Student Center project area. The identification of diagnostic artillery and small arms ammunition that represent potential battle lines or positions indicates that deposits within the project area and the surrounding battlefield have the potential to yield important information about potential variation in tactics and strategy between (a) the official records of the battle and what actually occurred, (b) military regulations and their application in the field, and/ or (c) historical details about the Battle of Cedar Creek that may help fill the gaps in the docu- mentary record concerning the specific positions of companies of troops on the field. Remains of a possible Civil War encampment have the po- tential to provide details relating to the duration and intensity of the occupation as well as more general information about variation in Civil War camp structure and function in the Shenandoah Valley. Given the potential to provide signifi- cant information about the Military/Defense theme during the Civil War (1861–1865), the archaeological resources identified within the proposed Student Center Building project area are recommended as potentially contributing to the NRHP eligibility of Site 44FK0622 and the Battle of Cedar Creek Battlefield under Criterion D; Criteria A through C are considered not applicable. The contributing resources within Site 44FK0622 should be avoided. If avoidance is not feasible, more work will be necessary to determine whether the ar- chaeological resources within the project area contribute to the eligibility of Site 44FK0622 for the NRHP under Criterion D. 24 25 References Cited Albert, Alphaeus H. 1976 Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons. Bicentennial Edition. Boyertown Publishing Co., Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Böÿe, Herman 1859 Map of the State of Virginia. Copy on file, [1826] Virginia State Library, Richmond. Coates, Earl J. and Dean S. Thomas 1990 An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms. Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania. Coggins, Jack 1990 Arms and Equipment of the Civil War. Re- printed. Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola, New York. Originally published 1962. Conner, Melissa, and Douglas D. Scott 1998 Metal Detector Use in Archaeology: An Introduction. Historical Archaeology 32:76- 85 Davis, George B., Leslie J. Perry, Joseph W. Kirkley, and Calvin D. Cowles 1983 The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War. Reprinted. Gramercy Books, New York. Originally published 1891, U.S. War De- partment, Washington, D.C. Ebert, Roberta, and Teresa Lazazzera 1988 Frederick County, Virginia From the Frontier to the Future: A Pictorial History. Donning Company Publishers, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia. Espenshade, Christopher T., Robert L. Jolley, and James B. Legg 2002 The Value and Treatment of Civil War Military Sites. North American Archaeologist 23:39-67. Gillespie, G.L. 1873 Battle fields of Fisher’s Hill [22 Sept. 1864] and Cedar Creek [19 Oct. 1864], Virginia. Map accessed online 2011, Library of Con- gress, Prints and Photographs Online Cata- log, <http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3882f. cw0537000 >. Greene, Katherine Glass 1926 Winchester, Virginia and Its Beginnings. Shenandoah Publishing House, Strasburg, Virginia Huston, Clifton A. 2007 Phase III Mitigation of Impact Investiga- tion at Site 44FK0622 on the Lord Fairfax Community College Tract, Frederick County, Virginia. Submitted by ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Submitted to the Virginia Community College System, Richmond. Jolley, Robert L. 1997 A Metal Detector Survey of Camp Mason (44FK533), A CSA Winter Encampment, Frederick County, Virginia. Winchester Regional Office, Department of Historic Resources. 2007 An Archaeological Survey of the Confeder- ate Left Flank, Third Battle of Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864. Quarterly Bulletin of the Archeological Society of Virginia 62:4:190-229. Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation 1975 Munsell Soil Color Charts. Kollmorgen In- strument Corporation, Baltimore. 26 Lewis, Thomas A. 1988 The Guns of Cedar Creek. Harper & Row Publishers, New York. Lord, Francis A. 1995 Civil War Collector’s Encyclopedia Volumes I and II. Blue and Gray Press, Edison, New Jersey. Morton, Frederic 1925 The Story of Winchester in Virginia. Shen- andoah Publishing House, Strasburg, Vir- ginia. Natural Resources Conservation Service 2011 “Web Soil Survey” page on Natural Re- sources Conservation Service website. < http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov >Ac- cessed August 2011. Nelson, Lee H. 1968 Nail Chronology as an Aid to Dating Old Buildings. History News 19(2). Noël Hume, Ivor 1980 A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America. Knopf, New York. Norris, J. E. 1890 History of the Lower Shenandoah Valley Counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Jefferson, and Clarke. Virginia Book Company, Berryville, Virginia. Philbin, Tom, and Steve Ettlinger 1988 The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores. Macmillan Publish- ing Company, New York. Phillips, Stanley S. 1974 Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War, 1861-1865. LithoCrafters, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1980 Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War, 1861-1865: Supplement I. S.S. Phillips and Associates, Lanham, Maryland. Quarles, Garland R. 1971 Some Old Houses in Frederick County. The Farmers and Merchants Bank, Winchester, Virginia. Ripley, Warren 1970 Artillery and Ammunition of the Civil War. Van Norstrand Reinhold Company, New York. Rosenblat, Emil, and Ruth Rosenblat (editors) 1992 Hard Marching Every Day: The Civil War Letters of Private Wilber Fiske. Reprinted. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. Origi- nally published 1983. Stuck, Kenneth E., Christopher L. McDaid, and Leslie McFaden 1994 A Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of the Proposed Route 695 Project, Frederick County, Virginia. William and Mary Center for Ar- chaeological Research, Williamsburg, Virginia. Submitted to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Richmond. Thomas, James E., and Dean S. Thomas 2007 A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Car- tridges. Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Originally published 1996, Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania. United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1999 Middletown, VA quadrangle. 7.5-minute topographic series. USGS, Reston, Vir- ginia. A-1 Appendix A: Artifact Inventory A-2 8/19/2011 11-17 Page 1 of 3 Lord Fairfax Community College (Site 44FK0622) Survey: Historic Artifacts Provenience Class Object Datable Attribute Comments Descriptor Weight (g) Quantity MD 005 Misc. Items Unidentified Wrought latch bar/utensil handle, ferrous 1 Provenience MD 005 Total: 1 MD 006 Misc. Material Sheet metal Ferrous with rivets 1 Provenience MD 006 Total: 1 MD 007 Misc. Items Hook Ferrous fashioned from 1st half 19th c.(?) 1 horseshoe (no toe clip) Provenience MD 007 Total: 1 MD 010 Misc. Material Unidentified Ferrous misc. cast fragment 1 Provenience MD 010 Total: 1 MD 011 Misc. Hardware Chain Ferrous three links 1 Provenience MD 011 Total: 1 MD 037 Toys and Leisure Harmonica Copper Alloy reed plate 2 Provenience MD 037 Total: 2 MD 046 Misc. Material Strapping Ferrous 1 9/16" wide, 7/16" thick, with 1 attachment hole Provenience MD 046 Total: 1 MD 047 Misc. Items Bar Ferrous threaded, machinery/wagon? 1 Provenience MD 047 Total: 1 MD 055 Misc. Material Unidentified Ferrous misc. cast fragment 1 Provenience MD 055 Total: 1 MD 060 Misc. Material Unidentified Ferrous misc. cast fragment 1 Provenience MD 060 Total: 1 MD 078 Personal Items Watch Copper Alloy face missing, marked "HELBROS", 1 gold-plated back; p. 1940s/1950s Provenience MD 078 Total: 1 MD 080 Misc. Items Unidentified Bone trim piece?, with attachment hole, 1 4 3/8" finished length Provenience MD 080 Total: 1 MD 085 Ammunition/Artillery Lead bullet: Smoothbore Musket Round ball .689, unfired .69 1 Provenience MD 085 Total: 1 MD 088 Ammunition/Artillery Lead bullet: Rifle Musket 3 groove conical cavity, mashed base, worn .58 1 smooth on one side, unfired, extracted; nose measurements range from .543-.559 Provenience MD 088 Total: 1 MD 106 Misc. Material Scrap metal Ferrous 1 MD 106 Stable/Barn Horseshoe Ferrous half; 18th c.? 1 8/19/2011 11-17 Page 2 of 3 Lord Fairfax Community College (Site 44FK0622) Survey: Historic Artifacts Provenience Class Object Datable Attribute Comments Descriptor Weight (g) Quantity Provenience MD 106 Total: 2 MD 109 Ammunition/Artillery Artillery shell Ferrous conical, with smooth fuse hole 1 Provenience MD 109 Total: 1 MD 112 Nails Nail(s) Wrought 1 Provenience MD 112 Total: 1 MD 114 Misc. Material Sheet metal Ferrous 1 Provenience MD 114 Total: 1 MD 133 Nails Nail Fragment(s) Cut 1 MD 133 Nails Nail(s) Cut 1 Provenience MD 133 Total: 2 MD 134 Misc. Hardware Hook Ferrous or coupling; ball terminal, 2 7/8" 1 length Provenience MD 134 Total: 1 MD 135 Ammunition/Artillery Artillery shell Ferrous conical 1 Provenience MD 135 Total: 1 MD 138 Ammunition/Artillery Lead bullet: Rifle Musket 3 groove unfired, conical cavity, nose cast, .58 1 Southern manufacture; whittled or scraped/distorted; nose measurements range .568-.591 Provenience MD 138 Total: 1 MD 144 Ammunition/Artillery Case shot Ferrous .459, .472; Southern manufacture 2 Provenience MD 144 Total: 2 MD 150 Misc. Material Bar Wrought 6 7/8" length, 5/16" width; 5/16" 1 to 1/8" taper Provenience MD 150 Total: 1 MD 151 Ammunition/Artillery Artillery shell Ferrous conical 1 Provenience MD 151 Total: 1 MD 153 Misc. Hardware Nut Ferrous wing?, with bolt fragment 1 Provenience MD 153 Total: 1 ST 009 Construction Materials Brick Hand Made 1.9 Provenience ST 009 Total: 0 ST 032 Ceramic Tableware Unidentified Whiteware 2 Provenience ST 032 Total: 2 ST 042 Ceramic Cooking/Storage Unidentified Coarse Earthenware orange body, black iron glaze; 1 18th/19th c. Provenience ST 042 Total: 1 ST 048 Construction Materials Brick Hand Made 0.3 8/19/2011 11-17 Page 3 of 3 Lord Fairfax Community College (Site 44FK0622) Survey: Historic Artifacts Provenience Class Object Datable Attribute Comments Descriptor Weight (g) Quantity Provenience ST 048 Total: 0 ST 072 Bone Unsorted bone 2 ST 072 Transportation Wheel balance weight Lead 4" x 1/2" 1 Provenience ST 072 Total: 3 Project Total: 36