Mr. Gamble,
In my opinion the most interesting sites that are not protected in the region are underwater after TVA dammed the Tennessee River in the 1930's. You may want to contact the organization below for information on relic hunting in the area. They do it all the time. One thing that I ask you to do is that relics you find, please, properly annotate them so historians can at least study the findings. Too many times, relic hunters are more interested in the monetary return than they are the historical/archeological knowledge of their finds. From what I understand, these folks crosstalk with the National Park Service of their finds to help map sites. Thanks.
Chattanooga Area Relic & Historical Association
PO Box 264
Collegedale, TN. 37315
Respectfully,
Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html