Platte City resident Johnny Shultz had a problem during the Covid pandemic in 2020 – he wanted to get out of the house.
Having grown up in Dearborn, he was familiar with the stories of a Civil War skirmish at Camden Point and knew artifacts of those battles had been found over the years. With metal detector in hand and the blessing of property owners, Shultz set out to get some exercise.
Johnny Shultz
“I started in town and have been able to follow the movement of the Confederates and the Union as I searched moving away from town through the fields with permission,” Shultz said. “My wife Sue after her retirement also joined me on hunts.”
Ever since, Shultz and his wife have combed the area, unearthing dozens of unique finds.
The Battle of Camden Point took place on July 13, 1864. It was during the Paw Paw Rebellion, and a Confederate cavalry force under Colonel J.C. Thornton held a picnic in an open field near the town. They were ambushed by soldiers from the Colorado and Kansas cavalries, killing two and wounding 25 confederates. The town was burned.
On Sunday, June 7, Shultz will speak on his findings, everything from dropped and chewed bullets, bayonets, swords, money and more were unearthed. The event begins with a free roasted pork loin dinner at 5 p.m. and Shultz will speak at 5:30 p.m. at the Camden Point Firehouse. The program is presented by the North Platte Historical Museum of Dearborn and is a continuation of the Steve Goodlet Memorial Lecture series.
