A 200 Year Old Mill Site and Civil War Battlefield in Alleghany County

Last week, we traveled to Folck's Mill where our consultant archaeologists are excavating along Interstate 68 in Alleghany County. The site was settled around 1800 and consisted of a 3-story brick grist mill, homes, and old buildings. On August 1, 1864, a small Civil War battle broke out on the site.  Although the area will not be impacted by highway construction, it is important the SHA manages and preserves historic resources in our right of way.  For the past several years, the Civil War Roundtable of Alleghany County has been a steward of the site, keeping the brush down from around the mill ruin. Click here to read the newspaper article!

Folck's Mill during the 19th century (left) and today (right).
Courtesy Alleghany County  Historical Society.

Site History
On August 1^st, 1864, the Civil War came to Pleasant Mills.  Confederate troops returning from the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, were ambushed by Union troops, who had placed men and cannon on the high ground west of Pleasant Mills, near the cemetery where Jacob Hoblitzell’s peaceful rest was about to be disturbed.  When Confederate troops reached Pleasant Mills, Union troops opened fire, and the Confederates took shelter among the mill buildings.  Upon retreating, the Confederates placed cannon on high ground to the east of Pleasant Mills, and troops to the north.  Squarely in the center of the battlefield, Folck’s mill and dwelling were struck by shells, and the barn burned.  Casualties were estimated to number between 38 and 50, and the Confederates withdrew the next day.  Folck’s Mill resumed operation after the war, with the grist and sawmill successfully run by tenant millers until Folck sold the complex to the Wolfe brothers in 1894.  Wolfe’s Mill operated only briefly after the sale.

In the mid to late 20^th century, the state began to make extensive improvements to the Baltimore-Cumberland Pike, then part of the National Road (US 40), by realigning the road, cutting through the mill property and demolishing the miller’s house.  More changes came to the Evitts Creek area with the construction of the National Freeway (US 48), which eventually became I-68.  Feeder roads were realigned, and a major relocation of US 220 occurred in 2000.  By virtue of these road improvements, SHA owns the original mill site, the Hoblitzell Cemetery, and the center of the Civil War battlefield.

Direct Dimensions scans the mill ruin. Even if it falls down, we will always be able
to virtually visit the site.
 

Next week, archaeologists will finish up their excavation and mapping of the site.  At this point, we have learned that intact layers of soil and artifacts survive around the ruins. Bits of broken dishes, square cut nails, and other artifacts are a strong testament to early life at the mill complex.  We have not found any evidence of the Civil War battle. This is likely a result of the brief nature of the engagement and the disturbance that has taken place over the last 150 years. In addition to mapping and excavating the site, we also hopped across the highway to scan some Civil War grafitti on the attic walls at Puccini's Restaurant.  Allegedly, this building, originally a home, functioned as a hospital following the Battle of Folck's Mill.

Civil War grafitti on the attic walls at Puccinis.

Archaeologists excavate next to the ruins of an outbuilding. They have recovered over
200 nails from this unit alone as well as a old bottle base and stoneware sherds.