Metal Detecting Civil War: The Best Places to Find Civil War Relics

I’ve spent over twenty years with a metal detector in hand, trudging through Virginia mud and Tennessee underbrush searching for pieces of America’s past. While everyone knows Gettysburg and Antietam are off-limits to detectorists, I’ve discovered there are plenty of promising sites where, with proper permission, you can still unearth artifacts untouched since the 1860s.

Before I share my favorite spots, let’s get this straight: federal battlefields and memorial sites are strictly hands-off. As one experienced detectorist told me, having a detector in your vehicle at a national battlefield park can land you in serious trouble. According to federal regulations, it’s illegal to metal detect in any Federal military park or burial ground, and violations can result in steep fines or even jail time.

But don’t put away your detector just yet. Many Civil War engagements happened on what’s now private property, and with respectful research and landowner permission, these sites offer legitimate opportunities for the ethical relic hunter.

Where to Look: My Top 10 Spots

1: Railroad Corridors in Virginia

Some of my best finds came after studying old maps showing railroad bridges. Almost every major supply route bridge was guarded during the war, with troops camping nearby. I’ve had particular success along the old Orange & Alexandria line on farmland outside Manassas, where I’ve recovered everything from common bullets to rare corps badges dropped by Union soldiers.

2: The Forgotten Tennessee Valley

The area surrounding Shiloh holds potential beyond the protected battlefield. Last summer, I secured permission to detect on a farm where, according to the Tennessee Civil War GIS Project, troops camped before the battle. Under an old oak where soldiers likely sought shade, my detector signaled what turned out to be a perfectly preserved eagle button from a Union infantry uniform.

3: Georgia’s Supply Routes

Most detectorists focus on Chickamauga’s immediate surroundings, but I’ve found the real treasures lie along the supply routes between battles. A farmer near Ringgold once showed me a collection of cavalry items his family had discovered over generations—spurs, bridle parts, and even a pistol all found on their property where a Confederate cavalry unit reportedly made camp.

4: Construction Sites Near Battlefields

Sometimes timing is everything. A friend in Virginia called me when construction began near a small battlefield park. “They’re stripping topsoil,” he said excitedly. We obtained permission and recovered several remarkable items including a breastplate that had been buried too deep for our equipment to detect previously. Keep an eye on development near historic areas, but always approach property owners professionally.

5: Farmland Along March Routes

Think like a soldier—tired, hungry, and looking for a place to camp. They needed water access and relatively flat ground. I’ve had success identifying old roads on period maps and then locating nearby water sources. A farm along such a route in the Shenandoah Valley yielded three canteens and a dozen uniform buttons in a single afternoon.

6: Old Training Grounds

Not every soldier went straight to battle. Training camps often contain more artifacts than battlefields themselves. An elderly landowner in southern Virginia once told me his grandfather spoke of soldiers practicing marksmanship on their property. That field has produced buckets of bullets over the years, most showing no signs of being fired.

7: Cedar Creek’s Periphery

The Cedar Creek battlefield in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is a checkerboard of public and private land. With several gracious landowners’ permissions, I’ve detected on properties adjacent to the protected area. These boundary zones were often traversed by troops but receive far less attention from other detectorists.

8: Creek Crossings in Wooded Areas

Water crossings created natural bottlenecks where soldiers dropped items while fording streams. A wooded creek near a known battle site in northern Virginia produced remarkable finds including a sword guard and several coins when I searched it with the owner’s blessing. I focus on historic crossing points identifiable on period maps.

9: Under Ancient Trees

One of my regrets was not searching beneath a stand of ancient oaks before the land was developed. Old trees that would have been present during the war often provided shelter for soldiers. These spots require extra care in digging, but can preserve artifacts undisturbed by decades of agricultural activity.

10: Minor Skirmish Sites

Everyone knows the major battles, but countless small engagements occurred throughout the conflict. Local historical societies often have records of these forgotten skirmishes. I once detected a site in western Tennessee where a brief cavalry engagement occurred. Though barely a footnote in history books, it yielded several Confederate buttons and a rare Southern-made belt plate that now sits in the county museum.

Doing It Right

Finding artifacts means nothing if you don’t preserve their historical context. Professional archaeologists document everything depth, soil composition, exact location. While we hobbyists may not have their training, we should strive to record our finds with similar care.

For equipment, I’ve found that detectors with advanced ground balancing are essential in the mineral-rich soils of the Southeast. My personal setup includes a mid-sized coil for general searching and a smaller one for trashy areas where discrimination becomes crucial.

Remember that anything you find on private property belongs to the landowner unless they explicitly gift it to you. I’ve built relationships with many property owners by sharing my knowledge of their land’s history and sometimes donating significant finds to local museums.

The thrill isn’t just in collecting pieces of metal; it’s in connecting with our past. When you hold a button worn by a young soldier or a bullet that might have decided a skirmish’s outcome, you’re touching history in a way no textbook can provide. Do it legally, do it ethically, and you’ll find the experience rewarding beyond measure.

There are plenty of places to unearth amazing metal detecting artifacts in this country. Check out one of my most popular articles: America’s 10 Best Historic Metal Detecting Locations.