Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of Continental Army barracks in Colonial Williamsburg, built in 1776–1777 and occupied through 1781. The nearly four-acre site, reportedly burned by British troops under General Cornwallis in 1781, has yielded bricks, an intact chimney base, gun hardware, chewed lead musket shot, fine ceramics, and probable officers' belongings. Only a small portion has been excavated so far—the planned sports center was moved to preserve the site—and researchers expect further digs to reveal more about soldier life in the late 1770s. Because the site was destroyed by fire but left largely undisturbed, it offers unusually good preservation of 18th-century military life.
Burned Revolutionary War Barracks Unearthed in Colonial Williamsburg — Rare Continental Army Remains Revealed
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of Continental Army barracks in Colonial Williamsburg, built in 1776–1777 and occupied through 1781. The nearly four-acre site, reportedly burned by British troops under General Cornwallis in 1781, has yielded bricks, an intact chimney base, gun hardware, chewed lead musket shot, fine ceramics, and probable officers' belongings. Only a small portion has been excavated so far—the planned sports center was moved to preserve the site—and researchers expect further digs to reveal more about soldier life in the late 1770s. Because the site was destroyed by fire but left largely undisturbed, it offers unusually good preservation of 18th-century military life.
20:54, 03.11.2025Culture
Rare Continental Army Barracks Discovered in Colonial Williamsburg
Archaeologists working on a Colonial Williamsburg Foundation property have uncovered the remains of barracks likely built for the Continental Army in 1776–1777 and occupied from 1777–1781. Historical records indicate the complex was ordered by the Commonwealth of Virginia in August 1776. Contemporary accounts suggest British forces under General Charles Cornwallis burned the site in 1781 as they advanced toward Yorktown.
What the excavation has revealed
Testing of the nearly four-acre parcel — prompted by site work for a new sports center — has already produced a range of well-preserved features and artifacts. Because a significant portion of the property remained undisturbed after the destruction, the burning event has paradoxically helped preserve archaeological evidence.
- Structural remains: bricks and an intact chimney base
- Military items: gun hardware and lead musket shot, some with toothmarks
- Personal and high-status objects: fine ceramics and items likely belonging to officers
"Archaeological evidence of continental barracks in Virginia is rare," the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation wrote in a blog post. "This site, which was occupied from 1777–1781, is particularly valuable since it was built and used only for one purpose. In addition, a significant portion of the site has been largely undisturbed since the barracks were destroyed."
Jack Gary, the Foundation's executive director of archaeology, told Fox News Digital that records show Virginia ordered construction of the barracks in August 1776, soon after the Declaration of Independence. Contemporary soldier accounts describe seeing the barracks burning in the distance in 1781 as Cornwallis' troops moved through the area.
Everyday life and intriguing finds
Among the more evocative discoveries are lead musket balls bearing toothmarks. The Foundation reports soldiers sometimes chewed shot to pass time and because the lead had a faintly sweet taste. Such small, personal traces help archaeologists reconstruct daily routines, ranks, and behaviors within an 18th-century military encampment.
Preservation and next steps
The planned sports center was shifted to preserve the remainder of the site for further investigation. Excavators expect that expanding the dig area will uncover additional structures and artifacts that deepen our understanding of how Continental Army soldiers lived, worked, and were organized during the late 1770s.
Significance: This discovery adds rare, tangible evidence about Continental Army infrastructure in Virginia and offers a unique window into soldier life at a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War.