Chapter 6
INTERPRETING THE EVIDENCE

Combined here are the historical documentary evidence and the data derived from the archeological artifact analysis.

In reading these interpretations, it is appropriate to keep in mind the crime scene analogy presented in chapter one. The historical documentation is analogous to the witnesses' testimony, and the archeological data is the event's physical evidence. The artifact evidence gathered over the years has been used some in earlier interpretations. The Monroe's Crossroads archeological project added significant new data. Combining the new archeological data with earlier artifact finds and interweaving the historical data provide a rich new tapestry for interpretation.

Interpreting the battle through archeological evidence is subject to several biases. Uncontrolled relic collecting over the years has reduced the total artifact quantity and has undoubtedly disrupted some artifact distribution patterns. However, the data provided by Fred Raber and Stanley Dahl have provided important documentation on some past collection efforts. Another bias considered is that the battle is not the only cultural event that occurred at this location. Construction of fences, buildings, and roads and even trash disposal have added to the battlefield's archeological record. The pre- and post-battle activities were generally easily recognizable by datable artifact types. These biases were kept in mind as the interpretations were developed.

The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads is only moderately well documented in the records and remembrances of the Civil War participants. Most recollections and official reports generally agree. There are, however, gaps and conflicts in that record, which is one reason the archeological project was undertaken. The archeological evidence does fill some gaps m the story and, in some cases, clarifies conflicting historical accounts. It also raises new questions.

The interpretations offered here are based on the analysis of the archeological evidence-the artifacts. Artifacts are the physical evidence of human behavior. They are the material culture remains of past activities. As such, the artifacts offer information regarding the nature of those activities. This information is available not only through the individual artifact, but also in the spatial and contextual relationships between artifacts. Whether the artifact is a bullet from the battle, a piece of equipment used by a soldier, or a nail used in fence construction, each helps the archeologist piece together the history of human use of the battlefield.

EVIDENCE OF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

The number of artifacts representing clothing and equipment used by the combatants is relatively small. This is not unexpected given the brief nature of the battle. Clothing itself is not likely to survive the ravages of time, but metal buttons and fasteners, as well as decorative devices, do provide some information about the clothing worn or not worn on March 10, 1865.

Clothing

Attire during the war has been the subject of exhaustive research by many others. Contemporary records and surviving uniforms have been used by numerous researchers to develop a comprehensive view of Civil War uniforms on both sides of the conflict (Todd 1974, 1977, 1978). It is generally assumed the Union troops were relatively well clothed and accoutered, while the Confederates were dressed in ragged uniforms by war's end.

A Confederate report of inspection for January and February 1865 by Colonel Charles C. Jones gives just such an impression of the status and condition of Wheeler's Cavalry Corps (reproduced in Dodson n.d.:408-420). Clothing was in short supply, particularly jackets and overcoats. Apparently, many men needed overcoats. The overcoats the Confederates had were mostly captured from Union troops.

The same apparently was true for horse equipment. Accouterments were also in short supply, and most men carried their ammunition in their pockets, haversacks, or saddlebags.

Archeological evidence for clothing consists of buttons, hooks, a trouser or vest buckle, and suspender grips. Five types of buttons were found distributed on the field and in the grave sites.

The first type is a single, Federal, general service, brass button. The second type includes trouser fly and suspender buttons. The third type comprises C.S.A. buttons. The fourth type is a hard rubber button, and the fifth is the Prosser molded button.

The brass, general service buttons were found in two sizes-the small cuff or forage cap strap size and the larger blouse or overcoat size. The smaller buttons are plain, eagle-style, general service buttons. The larger, general service type has an "I" in the eagle's shield. The "I" is for infantry. Some light blue cloth and some very dark, almost black cloth, was found adhering to some of the buttons.

These two cloth-type remnants may be bits of uniform and may indicate some repair or refitting occurred. This is consistent with the impression that some Confederate units were poorly clothed and had salvaged as much as possible from other sources by the end of the war.

One iron trouser button was found in the presumed Confederate grave (Test Area C). Buttons of this type were used to close the fly and attach suspenders on trousers. This button type is common on 19th century civilian trousers and was the regulation button for army-issue trousers. The Prosser molded buttons were found primarily in Test Area C. They are probably from shirts or under garments.

The C.S.A. buttons are all large blouse or overcoat size and were all recovered in the presumed Confederate grave, along with a variety of Union buttons. These findings further reinforce the view of the poorly clad Confederate soldier. Most of these buttons retain evidence of a cloth covering of a coarse weave.

The nonmilitary button- a hard rubber, domed button made by Novelty Rubber Company- was also found in the presumed Confederate grave and may have been associated with a rain slicker.

A few other clothing-related artifacts either corroborate the association of other finds or suggest additional items of clothing were present. A trouser or vest-adjustment buckle adds to the trouser button data base or suggests a vest was present. The presence of a suspender grip in the grave site also supports the trouser data. A single, S-hook assembly was found in the grave site, although its function is not yet identified.

The archeological clothing specimens, except two buttons, were found associated with grave sites. A single, half-dime coin was found south of the house site in the area of a large nail concentration. The nails indicate a substantial outbuilding once stood there. Neill Blue noted that after the battle he saw many dead and wounded soldiers in and around the log barn, the site of which may be indicated by the nail concentration.

Soldiers' Equipment

The average soldier carried a variety of equipment during a campaign. He, of course, carried weapons, but he also had a belt with a buckle, a cartridge pouch, and a cap pouch. He would have also had a canteen, mess gear, and a haversack. The archeological evidence for equipment is limited in number, but diverse. Besides the firearms evidence, to be discussed later, perhaps the most significant equipment artifact is a closing stud for a cartridge box or cap pouch. It is cast of lead and is probably Confederate in origin

Other equipment found include an army issue, brass, 1859 pattern spur fragment. Stanley Dahl, in his earlier collecting efforts, found barrel bands from Springfield muskets, a forend cap from an Enfield musket, a probable Enfield bayonet scabbard stud, knapsack adjustment hooks, a saber strap hook, belt plates (both Union and Confederate), spur buckles, possible guidon pole bases, and shelter half or tent grommets and reenforcing rings. Also, a brass, escutcheon saddle plate was recovered, as were rivets and various saddle and bridle buckles. Stanley Dahl found similar buckles and a fragment of an army bit.

A few mess items were recovered. An iron spoon was recovered in the Confederate grave, as were fragments of a possible cup or small camp boiler.

WEAPONS AT THE BATTLE OF MONROE'S CROSSROADS

Bullets, cartridges, cartridge cases, friction primers, and shell fragments are the direct evidence of the weapons used during the battle. Combining the direct physical evidence with the available historical documentation allows, in expanded detail, examination of the role of weaponry in the battle.

Only one Confederate account (Dodson n.d.:408-420) provides any specificity to the armament at Monroe's Crossroads. Colonel Charles C. Jones' report of inspection for January and February 1865 notes ammunition itself was in short supply. The men were noted to be carrying an average of 35 to 40 rounds per man. The report noted Wheeler's ordnance train carried an ammunition reserve of only slightly more than 40 rounds per man.

The armament of the men was identified as mixed. Most men carried the Colt Navy or Army revolver, but the shoulder arms were a mixed lot.

Jones further noted that most of the men who had captured weapons regarded them as their private property. Jones wanted all arms, regardless of origin, to be considered government property and to be reissued in a consistent and uniform manner among regiments and brigades. Apparently, this recommendation was never carried out.

Chapter 6 (continued)

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