Civil War Soldier’s Frying Pan, recovered at Fairfax Station, VA

This is another nice piece being offered; it is an excavated Civil War soldier's iron Frying Pan. It has a diameter of 8 1/2" and 1 1/2" deep. It has the remaining part of the handle where it broke off, probably why it was discarded by the soldier. It was dug years ago in a Federal camp in Fairfax Station, Virginia by Richard [Dick] Hammond, where troops were guarding the railroad (see period photo).

The Orange & Alexandria Railroad was strategically important during the war and was repeatedly fought over and wrecked. In connection with the Virginia Central, it was the only rail link between the belligerents' capitals at Washington and Richmond. An 1861 Union Army attempt to gain control of Manassas Junction led to the First Battle of Bull Run, and the junction traded hands numerous times during the war.

Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson attacked it in the Battle of Manassas Station Operations to draw the Union into the 1862 Second Battle of Bull Run. The 1863 Battle of Brandy Station and Second Battle of Rappahannock Station were also fought near the railroad line.

Richard Hammond dug thousands of relics over his long career relic hunting. In fact, a book has been published about his enormous collection titled “The Hammond Civil War Collection”. In my book "The Civil War Soldier - His Personal Items", I show examples of the different pots and pans soldiers used to do their cooking (see pictures). This pan is in very solid condition, with no chipping or flaking. A coat of varnish was applied for preservation. A very special piece coming from Dick’s private collection.