High Bridge Recovery Images

[CarlS]

Hello,

I know I've seen some images of the pile of shells recovered from High Bridge, Virginia somewhere.  Does anyone know where I might find that?  I picked up a couple shells from there and would like to put the images with them.

[emike123]

There is a picture in Steve Sylvia Mike O'Donnel's book, The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics on page 243.

For those, less familiar with the story of this amazing recovery, here is a link to it:

http://www.virginiarelics.com/high_bridge.htm

[gflower]

Carl, if you want I can put you in touch with one of the boys in the photo, Tom Brooks. He is a friend of mine. Gary

[CarlS]

Gary,

Thanks.  I've sent you an email.

[Dave the plumber]

     Carl,  let us know what all you turn up please......   I have a 3.5 Read case shot from there if you need it to add to your display     

[CarlS]

Jack Melton was kind enough to share the image with me.   It is from about 1960 and is the one that Mike referred to above.  I don't have that book but looks like I should get it.  Those were the days!

[Dave the plumber]

 unfortunately they let most of the shells sit outside in the weather for too long. Supposedly the parents wouldn't let them put 'em in the garage.  My Read shell is freeze broken from that pile.

[CarlS]

Dave,

Yes, most I've seen had a lot of pitting or flaking from being outside.  There have been some that for whatever reason are pretty decent.  I used to own one of the wasp-waist Armstrong shell and the exposed iron nose wasn't too bad.  I just sold a pretty decent 6-lber solid shot that was nice as well.   Some  incredible finds they had.

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Car, Is that the nine Armstrong's in the center and is that all there were? John

[divedigger]

what an amazing recovery!!

[CarlS]

John,

I count 10 in the image but I'm not sure if that was all of them found.  Someone else may know.  I know there can't be many as you rarely see them.  I've only ever seen 2 for sale and one of them was the one I had.

[relicrunner]

Dave,
I understood that some of those cracked shells came from the CS attempts to blow up the ammo dump. Although some shells were destroyed, the attempts basically failed. Whether this is true or not, this story sounds better than freeze cracks....