Courtesy Photo | An insignia pin for the 28th Infantry Regiment is shown Sept. 29, 2014, that was found...... read more read more
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In 2013, archaeologists with Colorado State University’s Center for the Environmental Management of Military Lands investigated a site at Fort McCoy which had been discovered a year earlier.
It was initially assumed the site was a former historic farmstead because of the materials recovered when the site was identified; including broken glass shards, part of an old plate, a wire nail, a brick fragment, and several pieces of metal.
Artifacts like these are common finds at nearly any of the 20th century Euro-American homesteads or farmsteads within the installation boundary.
When the site was evaluated to determine if it could be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the materials recovered began to move away from what is typically found at historic homesteads or farmsteads.
One “Model 1896” bronze cap insignia from the 28th Infantry Regiment was recovered along with more than 70 buckles, clasps, and fasteners which originated from military uniforms dating to the time of the Spanish-American War.
The insignia lacks the company letter, which may be why the item was discarded. Additionally, more than 60 cartridges were recovered, most of which would have been used for the 1903 Springfield Magazine Rifle.
Ten “Model 1903” Springfield stripper clips were found in the same excavation units as the cartridges. At their time of use, these clips were generally considered disposable.
Researchers were able to combine pieces of evidence, such as the military uniform items and ammunition with other artifacts like food containers and animal bones, to provide a fairly accurate date of 1910 for the site’s usage.
At this time, the training grounds were known as Camp Emory Upton.
These finds represent some of the earliest use of Fort McCoy for training military personnel.
All archaeological work conducted at Fort McCoy was sponsored by the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Natural Resources Branch.
Visitors and employees are reminded they should not collect artifacts on Fort McCoy or other government lands and leave the digging to the professionals.
Any individual who excavates, removes, damages, or otherwise alters or defaces any historic or prehistoric site, artifact, or object of antiquity on Fort McCoy is in violation of federal law.
The discovery of any archaeological artifact should be reported to Fort McCoy officials immediately.
Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.
The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”
(Article prepared by the Colorado State University’s Center for the Environmental Management of Military Lands.)
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2019 15:54 |
| Story ID: | 329487 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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