The remains of a teenage Revolutionary War soldier have finally been identified — over 246 years after he was buried in an unmarked grave.The discovery, which researchers believe is the first identification of a Revolutionary War soldier using DNA and forensic genetic genealogy, was announced in June.Researchers at FHD Forensics used advanced DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy to identify the remains as Private John Pumphrey, a teenager who died at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina.MYSTERIOUS 18TH-CENTURY WARSHIP UNEARTHED AT GROUND ZERO SITE GETS NEW HOMEThe Battle of Camden was one of the Continental Army's worst defeats during the Revolutionary War, and hundreds of American soldiers died during the engagement.Officials believe Pumphrey enlisted in 1777, when he was between 13 and 15 years old — meaning he was between 16 and 18 years of age when he died on Aug.16, 1780.Researchers identified the remains of Revolutionary War soldier Private John Pumphrey using DNA and forensic genetic genealogy.
Pictured above are researchers Steve Smith, Allison Peacock and Jim Legg. (FHD Forensics)Pumphrey's remains were uncovered at the battlefield site in 2022 during a University of South Carolina excavation.In a June news release from FHD Forensics, officials said a tiny piece of the soldier's skull was used to extract DNA, allowing researchers to uncover his identity before he was reburied with military honors in 2024.REVOLUTIONARY WAR ARTIFACTS UNEARTHED AT SITE OF INFAMOUS COLONIAL AMERICAN HEIST: 'VERY SURPRISED'"He would have been one of the youngest members of George Washington's revered 'Old Line,'" the release said.It was not "highly unusual" for young boys to enlist in the Continental Army, though it was rare, said Allison Peacock, president of FHD Forensics.The remains of Private John Pumphrey were uncovered during a 2022 excavation at the historic Battle of Camden battlefield in South Carolina.(AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, File)Peacock told Fox Ne...