Smith's Knoll Battlefield Cemetery
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Cache is a nano located in the Smith's Knoll Battlefield Cemetery, which is a National Historic Site. Cache contains only a log, so please bring your own pen to sign and help you take out the log! Initials only please. Parking is available on Battlefield Drive, which is across the road from the cemetery. The above is all you need to find the cache. Please read below if you would like a detailed history of this cemetery.
The knoll formed part of the 12-acre fruit and flower farm owned by the Smith family. During the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1813, this was the site of the American artillery and some of the bitterest fighting. Historical records indicate that, following the battle, it was the site of one of the mass graves. In 1910, it became the site of a battle memorial. The exact number of bodies buried was never recorded. There are varying historical accounts that indicate anywhere from 24 to 40 bodies were buried. It is known that the site has been disturbed many times over the years. One account states that in 1888, 40 bodies were exhumed with 22 being used for medical research, but there is no indication if any of these bodies were returned. In 1998 and 1999, archaeological work was carried out on the site in support of a restoration of the memorial and human remains were uncovered during this work. There were 770 disarticulated bone fragments recorded. The archaeologist calculated that this represents a minimum of 24 bodies based on the recovery of 24 lower arm bones. In 2000, these remains were interred in the 1910 Smith’s Knoll memorial. There are various accounts, however it is known that is was disturbed at least six times, not including reported disturbances by souvenir hunters from 1813 to 1910. At this time, there is no method for assigning names or nationalities to the remains. Some of the bones uncovered are believed to be those of both British and American soldiers: British buttons and shot were found in addition to the many buttons from the Second Artillery Regiment, an American unit. It appears there was no formal burial ceremony in 1813. The fact that there are so relatively few bones and the weathered conditions of the some bones indicate that some of the stories may be true - that bones surfacing from plowing the fields were stored in large fruit baskets and buried in the knoll. This may explain why some of the disarticulate bones appear to the buried as a cluster. However, there is insufficient evidence which would allow us to state definitively how any or all of the bones came to be in the excavation. In 1910 the site was marked with a large stone cairn and is known as the Battlefield Cemetery at Smith's Knoll. The year 2000 saw many significant and exciting changes to the face of Stoney Creek. A restoration project for Smith's Knoll cemetery was realized, culminating in a ceremony which brought hundreds of people to the city's newly refurbished downtown area. American Millitary Pallbearers from the 3rd United States Infantry, Fort Meyers, Virginia, took part June 4, 2000 in the re-interment ceremony for soldiers killed in the Battle of Stoney Creek. On June 4, 2000 at 11a.m., the Battlefield Cemetery was re-opened as a National Historic Site during a special re-dedication memorial service. The original Battlefield Cemetery had been consecrated on May 3, 1908, as the final resting place for the soldiers who fell on June 6, 1813 in the Battle of Stoney Creek. Before the rededication could take place, five cannons were removed from this National Historic Site for identification and restoration while the site was being upgraded. All the cannons were determined to be British and, according to city officials, have been at the cemetery as long as anyone can remember. They appear in photographs of the site taken in the early 20th century. Eventually, a lone American gun will be located on the northeast bank as it may have appeared on the evening of the Battle. At the rededication ceremony, the remains of approximately 23 soldiers killed during the Battle of Stoney Creek on June 6, 1813 were placed into a wooden crate and then reinterred into the locally made new crypt. Tthere has been renewed interest in the archaeological work done at Smith’s Knoll from 1998-2000. The archaeologist's final report suggested that more work needed to be conducted. However, the proposed site for this work extended on to private property and the extent of the site, existence of other bodies, and complexity of the project is not currently known with confidence. In addition, work requirements to conduct archaeological work on private property are significantly different than work performed on public property. Alternatives to full excavation and recovery will need to be considered. Congratulations to Buttons & Beaux on the FTF!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pbeare Cbfg - Hc (Zntargvp Obyg)