Civil War study adds web site to toolkit

Heidelberg College

For Immediate Release
May 7, 1999
Contact: Angie Souders, Associate Director of College Relations

TIFFIN, OH -- Heidelberg College researchers have published a site on the World-Wide Web to aid in their archaeological study of a southeastern Ohio Civil War battlefield.

The Buffington Island Battlefield Archaeological Project web site features background information on the 1863 northern raid of Confederate cavalry Gen. John Hunt Morgan and the Buffington Island Battlefield. For Morgan, the disastrous results of that Meigs County battle spelled the end for one of the most daring cavalry campaigns of the war.

The debut of the web site is doubly important for those who would like to volunteer to participate in the actual survey of the site this summer. The survey is slated to run from May 29-June 13. In order to participate, volunteers must submit an application through the web site before May 22, without exception. The web site address is www2.heidelberg.edu/buffington.

Volunteers will be actively engaged in the scientific location and recovery of battle related artifacts in an effort to define and record key areas of the battlefield. All activities will be directed and supervised by a team of Heidelberg archaeologists and professionals.

Weather permitting, an eight-hour workday schedule with lunch and rest breaks will be strictly adhered to. The project will permit volunteers to participate in several crucial aspects of the fieldwork, to include metal detector operation and artifact recovery, as well as specific tasks essential in archaeological work of this nature.

All team members will be expected to provide their own lodging, transportation to and from a predetermined meeting place, sack lunch/refreshments, in addition to appropriate clothing and supplies for summer outdoor activity (i.e. rain gear, sun screen, insect repellant, etc.). Volunteer metal detector operators must furnish their own equipment.

A finite number of applicants will be accepted both on a first-come basis and/or as project requirements demand. All volunteers must make application well in advance in order to prepare necessary liability waivers and to afford project coordinators the opportunity to efficiently manage fieldwork. Walk-ons will not be permitted.

A welcome center will be designated for those just interested in visiting the project. Anyone interested in archaeology, the Civil War or general history is encouraged to visit or participate in the project, conducted by the Center for Historic and Military Archaeology at Heidelberg College.

Heidelberg College is a private, liberal arts institution which enrolls about 1,500 students in Tiffin, Ohio. Established in 1850, Heidelberg has consistently been highly ranked as one of "America's Best Colleges" in U.S.News & World Report magazine.

Heidelberg College / College Relations / webmaster@heidelberg.edu