by Geoff Fox
A piece of artillery that exploded during an early portion of the Battle of Gettysburg is now in possession of the Hancock Historical Society thanks to a re-enactor and metal detector.
Clarence Martz, who had set up a Civil War encampment in Joseph Hancock Park in September, presented the exploded canon piece to town officials and the Historical Society during the November town meeting.
Martz said the piece came from Herr Ridge, which was one of the first actions of the Battle of Gettysburg and saw Confederate generals James Archer and Joseph Davis capture the ridge from the Union Army and defeat John Buford’s cavalry.
In the past, Martz has done a lot of preserving artifacts and digging a lot, finding things from the Civil War that are now in museums.
When doing a re-enactment in either the 1980s or 1990s, Martz said he had gotten permission to go onto Herr Ridge.
“In the tree line, you would never know it, because there is canon breastworks in the treelines,” Martz said.
The owner of the property gave Martz permission to preserve any of the artifacts he found on the ridge. Martz said he started going through the trees getting whatever he could get.
“The Jaggerbushes were so thick that you couldn’ t even get underneath,” he said.
Martz said he found over 25 friction primers, which is what Civil War era soldiers used in firing the cannons, scattered in the wooded area.
“I couldn’ t figure out why, but later on I did,” he said.
Martz also found a few other items in the area related to cannons such as a fire pit with melted lead.
After getting permission to preserve the artifacts, Martz and his daughters spent a weekend there, setting up a Civil War tent and clearing the bushes.
Martz was able to clear the area and preserve the artifacts he found, coming across an exploded cannon shell in front of where the breastworks were located.
“Everything was intact,” he said.
Martz also found an exploded artillery shell barrel, which he had with him at the town meeting.
“I don’t know if it’s documented or not,” he said, noting he’ s not the only person who has such pieces of the barrel.
The preservation came to an end when Martz found a bone, which he thinks there are still more in that area, and took it to the National Park Service museum.
Once a park knows about remains, the National Park Service takes over the location.
With the artillery barrel being carried around for a while, Martz said it was time to give it up and presented it to the Hancock Historical Society.
“This is not a light piece,” he said.
Martz provided the town with documentation of the barrel as well as a stand to hold it.
Town Manager Mike Faith said Martz had been digging a fire pit early this year in Joseph Hancock Park for the re-enactment and ended up finding musket ball from the 58th Calvary of the Union Army.
“I believe in preserving artifacts. I believe in preserving our history,” Martz said. “Pieces like this tells you a story.”
Mayor Roland Lanehart, Jr. said the town appreciates Martz donating the barrel to the Historical Society and was unable to talk to or thank Martz in person.
On Friday morning, Historical Society President Dan Murphy said the Historical Society is so pleased with Martz’ generosity and the barrel will be a unique aspect to the Historical Society’s collection.
