Archaeologists have unearthed lost remnants of America’s first soldiers from the Revolutionary War.
They discovered bricks that were once part of Virginia’s first military barracks that housed 2,000 people from 1776 through 1777 in what is now Colonial Williamsburg.
At the time, America was in the middle of a war for its independence from the British that ended in 1781 – five years after the US declared its freedom.
The team also found personal items belonging to the patriot troops, including lead shots, buttons and a 225-year-old Virginia penny, and fireplaces and chimneys.
This discovery will provide insight into Williamsburg’s military involvement during the Revolutionary War, which these artifacts will help tell.
Images of the site showed red bricks within the earth, lying where they were demolished hundreds of years ago by the British Army
A French 18th-century map of Williamsburg shows more than a dozen barracks within Williamsburg, detailing how they were built between 1776 and 1777 for the Continental Army as it fought the British
Ashley McCuistion, a lead archaeologist, told The Washington Post: ‘These barracks were the first continental barracks in Virginia.
‘This all happens immediately after independence is declared and we start forming this American government.’
The barracks were also built on the land used by the British royal governor who had a palace constructed for himself.
But American soldiers took over the palace and the land, turning it into their military outpost that held thousands of people and 100 horses.
The team first found piles of red bricks buried under the surface, laying in piles.
The barracks were destroyed by the forces of British general Charles Cornwallis in 1781.
Cornwallis is best known for his surrender at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended the war and led to peace negotiations between Great Britain and the US.
American soldiers recounted the incident years later, saying they were forced to abandon the area as British troops marched through on your way to Yorktown.
Continental Army soldier Spencer Davis gave a written testimony in the early 1880s, stating that the enemy appeared at night and ‘beat up our quarters.’
‘There was some little fighting & two of my acquaintances … [were] killed,’ he continued.
‘The Americans retreated about nine miles that night, & saw the light from the conflagration of the Barracks.’
The patriot army stationed in Colonial Williamsburg was led by Captain David Humphrey, a close friend of George Washington.
Archaeologists have been working at the site since the summer of 2023 but announced their discoveries this past May.
‘This site, which was occupied from 1777 to 1781, is particularly valuable since it was built and used only for one purpose,’ reads the Colonial Williamsburg’s official site.
‘In addition, a significant portion of the site has been largely undisturbed since the barracks were destroyed.’
The housing units, found in Colonial Williamsburg, were constructed around 1776, but later destroyed by the forces of British general Charles Cornwallis in 1781
A lead shot with a took mark was found. Soldiers would chew on the shots because of their sweet flavor
The barracks site is estimated to be roughly three to four acres large. Currently, only a small percentage of the site has been excavated.
The team also uncovered personal items from the American soldiers, including a metal military belt that has since been weathered by the elements.
A blue glass button, still shining as if it were just made, a small musket ball, was also found at the site.
The tooth mark in the lead shot was left by a soldier gnawing on it due to the sweet taste – it was a common practice among the military.
The team also uncovered personal items from the American soldiers, including a metal military belt that has since been weathered by the elements
A blue glass button, still shining as if it were just made, was found
Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg executive director of archaeology, said: ‘We have horseshoes.
‘We also have this object here which is a snaffle bit, so it’s part of a horse bit that goes in the mouth to control the horse.
‘And this object here is part of a curry comb for brushing down the horse’s coat.’
‘Here at Colonial Williamsburg, we interpret the American Revolution and the politics that led up to it, and a lot of the events that led up to it.
The excavation also found small gun parts
A 250-year-old Virginia half penny was also found in the earth
Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699 and was one of America’s first planned cities. The original capital, Jamestown was the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World founded in 1607
‘But then, we don’t have a lot of sites that tell us about what actually happened during the wartime. And this site does.
‘It allows us to get some insight into the everyday lives of your everyday common soldier. it also tells us about what the officers’ lives were like.’
Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699 and was one of America’s first planned cities.
The original capital, Jamestown, was the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World founded in 1607.
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