Kids discover Civil War relic

MARIETTA, Ga. - Some kids playing in the backyard of their Marietta home discovered a Civil War relic; a metal ball that looks like a mini cannonball that was used in battle.

Mackenzie Willis, just 7 year old, spotted something in the dirt; she dug it out and didn't know what to think.

"I thought it was a golf ball at first, then I thought it was an egg, but I picked it up and it was way too heavy," said Mackenzie.

Her dad wasn't sure either.

"I'm looking at it and I realize it's rusty and it's old'" said Tim Willis.

Willis did a little research on the internet then took it to a Civil War expert who verified the small iron ball was called a grapeshot and it dated back more than 150 years.

"They'd put several of the grapeshots together in a canister or bag and shoot it out and they'd go out like a shotgun," said Willis.

The Marietta family lives just a couple of miles from Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield. Being so close it's not out of the question to find civil war relics, but Tim Willis says he's surprised that they live in a house that was built in the early 50's and no one has found it until now.

Jennifer and Tim Willis said Mackenzie and her brothers, David and Zach, may not understand the full impact of this discovery, but it's been an amazing life experience for them.

"It makes us realize we live in an area where there was a war and the kids certainly have a lot of questions," said Jennifer.

"This makes history a little more real than what's in a textbook," said Tim.