Dig points to NY site as War of 1812 encampment
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—An archaeological dig conducted last summer near Lake Champlain's New York shoreline has uncovered evidence that the site was a winter encampment for American soldiers during the War of 1812.
The Press-Republican of Plattsburgh reports ( http://bit.ly/H2JfdB) that archaeologist Timothy Abel says the excavations on property formerly owned by the Plattsburgh Air Force Base unearthed military artifacts such as uniform buttons bearing the number 15, indicating the U.S. Army's 15th Regiment.
The regiment spent the winter of 1812-13 encamped at what was known as Pike's Cantonment, named for the camp's commander, Zebulon Pike. The encampment's exact location in Plattsburgh had been debated for decades. More excavations are planned at the site this summer.
In September 1814, American land and naval forces defeated the British at the Battle of Plattsburgh.
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Information from: Press-Republican, http://www.pressrepublican.com
