Lost remains of early American Revolutionary War soldiers discovered in Virginia

Archaeologists have unearthed the lost remains of America’s first Revolutionary War soldiers.

They discovered bricks that were once part of Virginia’s first military barracks, which housed 2,000 people from 1776 to 1777 in what is now Colonial Williamsburg.

At the time, America was in the midst of a war for independence against the British that ended in 1781, five years after the United States declared its freedom.

The team also found personal items belonging to Patriot troops, including shot pellets, buttons and a 225-year-old Virginia penny, as well as fireplaces and chimneys.

This discovery will provide insight into Williamsburg’s military involvement during the Revolutionary War, which these artifacts will help tell.

Ashley McCuistion, chief archaeologist, told the Washington Post: “These barracks were the first continental barracks in Virginia.

“All this happens immediately after the declaration of independence and the beginning of the formation of the American government.”

The barracks were also built on land used by the British royal governor who had a palace built for himself.

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But American soldiers took control of the palace and the grounds, transforming it into a military outpost capable of housing thousands of people and 100 horses.

The team first found piles of red bricks buried beneath the surface, arranged 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 ended the war and led to peace negotiations between Britain and the United States.

American soldiers recounted the incident years later, saying they were forced to abandon the area as British troops moved through the region toward Yorktown.

Continental Army soldier Spencer Davis gave written testimony in the early 1880s, claiming that the enemy appeared at night and “attacked our quarters.”

“There were a few small fights and two of my acquaintances… [were] killed,’ he continued.

“The Americans withdrew about nine miles that night and saw the light coming from the fire in the barracks.”

The Patriot army stationed at Colonial Williamsburg was led by Cbelongs to David Humphrey, a close friend of George Washington.

Archaeologists have been working at the site since summer 2023, but announced their findings last May.

“This site, which was occupied from 1777 to 1781, is particularly valuable because it was built and used for a single purpose,” reads the official website of Colonial Williamsburg.

“In addition, a significant portion of the site has remained largely intact since the destruction of the barracks.”

The area of ​​the barracks site is estimated to be approximately 1.2 to 1.6 hectares. Currently, only a small percentage of the site has been excavated.

The team also discovered personal items of the American soldiers, including a metal military belt that has since been damaged by the elements.

A blue glass button, still shiny as if it had just been made, and a small musket ball were also found at the site.

The tooth mark on the lead was left by a soldier who gnawed on it because of its sweet taste – this was a common practice among the military.

Jack Gary, executive director of archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg, 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 the horse’s coat.”

“Here at Colonial Williamsburg, we interpret the American Revolution and the politics that led to it, as well as many of the events that led up to it.

“But we don’t have many sites that tell us what really happened during the war. And this site does that.”

“It gives us a glimpse into the everyday life of the ordinary soldier. It also tells us about the lives of officers.”

Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Colony of Virginia in 1699 and was one of the first planned cities in America.

The original capital, Jamestown, was the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, founded in 1607.