Generally, it went like this:An individual or his friends would get a tip or a hunchthat some vacant plotheld the secret wealthand out would come the shovels. Davis then deposited the reserve gold in a vault in Washington, Georgia, before continuing on. He was very skilled at evading the police. It was abandoned in 1870. The Confederate president and other government officials were urged to leave Richmond immediately to avoid being captured by Union troops. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Henry refused to tell the soldiers where the treasure was and was beaten again. Many names and records have been lost to time. Now only Hansens one friend knew about the treasure but his friend was arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive. During the autumn of 1862, the mint turned $40,000 in gold and silver from New Orleans, Louisiana, into bars for shipment to Augusta. Those two boxes of gold could still be buried deep in that bog near Athens, Alabama. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The chief said that he could have all the treasure if he would marry his daughter. Rawlings himself has seen evidence of what appeared to be part of that buried Confederate loot. Henry Nunez Richmond was burning. Mysteries endure, too, including the ultimate disposition of the Confederate treasury. Sorry, I don't know anything about these. The Chief agreed but he had other intentions as well. He waited there until spring and set off to sail back to France at the beginning of April 1725. This small island holds many lost treasure stories. I hope you have found this article of interest and if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the comments section below. The attack happened in March of 1865. Going to war can be incredibly expensive. Another theory, says Rawlings: Davis and his group hid it. In the 1939 movie "Gone With The Wind," the Union Army believes Rhett Butler to have the missing Confederate gold, and they threaten to hang him. Supposedly, Nunez buried a treasure of approximately $200,000 somewhere I have also researched the legend of Keel Mountain, I agree the O.R. Long standing legend tells of $100,000 of gold and silver was put into two boxes by Confederate troops in 1865, and then thrown into the swamp. (The fleeing Confederates also carried about $450,000 in Richmond bank gold, but wouldnt touch those funds, as they didnt belong to the Confederate government.). Dr. Clive Cussler a historian attempted to find the wreck of La Bellone in September 1989. It was never recovered. There is also a story of a cross embedded with jewels that were put in a well by pirates that never came back to claim it. Much of the mystery was engendered by Union officials, who greatly inflated the value of the Confederacys treasury to several million dollars. The lack of discussion in these books is not surprising. Tag: alabama confederate gold. Halleck stated that Richmond bankers estimated specie valued "from six to thirteen millions" were travelling south from Goldsboro, NC in wagons. Besides, Semple was done with any sort of an adventure. With enemy soldiers occupying the town, any effort to dig up the some 160,000 8-reale coins would have certainly been seen. Halleck ordered Generals Wilson and Canby to intercept the rebel leaders and any wealth they were transporting. You must log in or register to reply here. The gold (or some of it) in their treasury came with them. In 1720 there was a trapper that came to the Chickasaw village. Hardy grew his small acres of land into whopping 9000 acres by 1850. Hanna recorded some of the known expenses incurred by Davis group, including $108,000 paid to escorting troops near the Savannah River and $40,000 paid for supplies in Washington and Augusta, Georgia. You see the Civil War was going on and many plantation owners were worried that their wealth would be looted if Union soldiers came around. Lachlan McGillivray was a wealthy fur trader back in the mid to late 1700s. He would then bury the wine casks in various areas around his homestead. Like most Southerners, who strongly believed their cause was right, Semple was ultimately forced to admit that the Confederacy no longer existed and could not be resurrected, that nothing more could be done. Legend held the treasure was watched overby ghostly spirits. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Railroad Bill real name Morris Slater was a black train robber, murderer during the late 1800s. Davis had nothing on him when he was captured in the end on May 10 in Irwinville, Georgia. It is said that he would only accept gold coins as payment for the ground corn and flour that he sold. They loaded the two boxes of treasure onto two wagons and headed for Columbia. Finally, in the wake of the treasure hunters' appeal, the FBI said it had located 2,400 pages of records and 17 video files that it could potentially turn over - but that it would take years to do so. AFFILIATE DISCLOSUREI am an affiliate marketer. Keel Mountain is located in Madison County in Alabama not in Belleview, Tenn. Treasure hunters who believe they found a huge cache of fabled Civil War-era gold in Pennsylvania are now on the prowl for something as elusive as the buried booty itself: government records of the FBI's excavation. In their book The Rebel and the Rose (2007), Wesley Millett and Gerald White tracked the path of that chunk of the Confederate treasure, part of which they believe one of the navy officials, James A. Semple, spent on his love affair with Julia Tyler, the widow of President John Tyler, as well as a failed plot to provoke war between Britain and the United States. Here is an OP that I posted on it a couple of months ago, to include sharing a couple of photos of one of the coins that he was paid on 4 May 1865, once they crossed the Savannah River and Breckinridge was more . One account has the gold being stolen in the far south area of Brooks County where local lore has it the train was attacked by . Among Confederate veterans organizations, rumors later swirled that their fleeing leaders were carrying millions of dollars when they evacuated Richmond. In popular imagination, the Richmond bank goldhas become part of the lost Confederate treasure, and there is some truth to that story, Rawlings says. He was referring to the commercial house of Fraser, Trenholm & Company in Liverpool, England. Semple was drawn to Julia, and she to him, by circumstances of war and the aftermath. The trapper returned to the Chickasaw camp and married the daughter of the chief but her father had disappeared and no one in the village seemed to know where the cave was that held the treasure. Wesley Millett and Gerald White are the authors of The Rebel and the Rose. I grew up in Prattville, Alabama. It was an E-mail he sent to someone and it found it's way to being an article on several sites. Hansen then used the horses to trample the boxes deeper into the mud. Maybe you could be the one who prospers from finding one of these lost treasure gems in Alabama! The area was founded by exiled followers of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800's. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Elizabeth Holmes has second child, seeks to delay prison, Woman dies as porch collapses under California snow storm. Millions of dollars' worth of gold was lost or unaccounted for after the war, and its possible location has been the source of speculation of many historians and treasure hunters. The brakeman subsequently threw him off the moving train. Postmaster General John Reagan, who was with Davis in Danville, added more detail, recalling that the gold was to be hidden in the false bottom of a carriage. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Davis was on the run for much of April 1865. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. He and his friend decided to head out to recover the treasure. So as you can tell it was a great hiding spot for soldiers. In the 1966 Spaghetti Western movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," the protagonists get information about lost Confederate gold hidden in a . I have not heard of both of these stories. Apparently in 1865, $100,000 of gold and silver was put into two large metal boxes by Confederate troops, and then thrown into the swamp. Millions of dollars' worth of gold was lost or unaccounted for after the war, and its possible location has been the source of speculation of many historians and treasure hunters. I have hunted the area with only minor finds but there was alot of activity in the area. Jean Lafitte the pirate supposedly buried gold coins on a beach in what is now Bayou la Batre. I doubt very seriously that any of the phantom confederate gold myths are real. 's don't mention anything about the skirmish. They tried to get the horses and wagons out of the swampy area but the load was too heavy and the wagons got stuck. There are many lost treasures and legends of Alabama and I encourage you to visit this state and enjoy the rich history that Alabama presents. Here's how this gold war began, according to a Pittsburg Post-Gazette article about a 1983 story in Lost Treasure magazine. Today the town has only two homes standing that are in use. These states were opposed to the abolishment of slavery. [1] The gold was temporarily stored at the Iron Bank by William H. Young. As the $450,000 in gold reserves didnt belong to the Confederacy, it remained untouched. A Colorado company, hired by a private individual, performed a geophysical survey and employed pulse induction instruments to identify the locations of the silver (and a small amount of gold). buried near what used to be his house on the Alabama side of the river. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. The FBI has long insisted the March 2018 dig came up empty, but the agency has consistently stymied the Paradas' efforts to obtain information. In the 1939 movie "Gone With The Wind," the Union Army believes Rhett Butler to have the missing Confederate gold, and they threaten to hang him. The gold from the Richmond bank was accounted for, but was later stolen by around 20 armed men in Danburg, Georgia. The two wooden boxes full of Confederate gold fell out of the wagons and sank quickly into the mud. Under the headline"What Became of the Confederate Gold," Moses told the newspaper a small portion of it went to buy food for returning soldiers, while the bulk of about$40,000was turned over to the federal authorities. CBS News affiliate WTAJ-TVreported members of the Elk County Historical Society say they believe the gold is just an old wives' tale. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. The Union soldiers dug up the cask and went and spent the money in Mobile, Alabama. He ran an inn and Ferry that became known as Buzzard Roost in 1801. They filled two wooden boxes full. After he retired, Bob Brewer embarked on an adventure to find the missing Confederate gold, supposedly hidden by the mysterious Knights of the Golden Circle of the late 1800s to finance a second Civil War. Plus, as others have pointed out, gold weighs alot. Others suggest he buried it underneath his home or by the cotton gin. A man by the name of C.E. That was the one chunk of money that was basically just stolen by someone, Rawlings says. I have talked to the guy who wrote what you found on #2. Then you will want to check out the Garrett AT Pro. There are a few instances of the plantation ruins that still remain to this day including the spring where the cotton gin was. Henrys wife gave in and told the soldiers where one of the wine casks was buried. And peoples imaginations take over from there.. Henry refused and was subsequently strung up to a tree and whipped. De Soto ended up dying of fever. Hardy Clemens died in 1863 leaving no trace of where he hid his treasure. It is said that some of those wine casks of gold and silver coins are stilled buried near his home. Jean and his older brother Pierre stole a lot of loot over the years in and around the Gulf of Mexico in the early 1800s. Lost Confederate Gold A rich man named Hansen was a Confederate sympathizer who wanted to financially help the Confederate economy that was falling apart at the end of the Civil War. But when Union officers caught up with Davis on May 10, near Irwinville, Georgia, he was reportedly carrying only a few dollars with him. There are stories that the Islanders tell of buried pots, jars, and treasure chests full of gold and silver. The war, and its various aspects, continues to capture the interest and imagination of many Americans who are fascinated by the battles, leaders, and strategy displayed during that conflict. The Nunez Ferry ran for 47 years from 1815-1919. There is no record that anyone ever found the gold, sowhat happened to it? The Confederate States of America were formed prior to Abraham Lincoln taking office in March 1861. Sharps bought a mill there called Whites Mill in 1897. While they fought the commander detailed a couple of men to hide the gold just in case they lost and were captured. I got the Keel Mountain story from a treasure hunter in west Tennessee, and it was a small, one-paragraph statement. General Dukes Brigade. Jefferson Davis with members of his cabinet, 1865, By early May, both Davis party and the remaining fortune had reached Washington, Georgia. In the 1938 book, Flight Into Oblivion, by A.J. While on the route to Columbia the wagons and horses started to get bogged down on the marshy ground 4 miles North of Athens, Alabama. 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Named after one president, Thomas Jefferson, he went on to marry the daughter of another, Zachary Taylor. So I can't totally discount the story. 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First published on January 6, 2022 / 11:11 AM. Some believe it was stolen by the Union soldiers who arrested Davis, while others speculate it was hidden long before his arrest, with the aim of keeping it out of the Norths hands. Posted on December 5, 2020 December 31, 2020 by Terry W. Platt. Many of the accounts were published in the papers of the Southern Historical Society, in an effort to dispel rumors that Davis took the money for himself and his family. The daughter didnt want anything to do with the braces that her father presented to her but she had an infatuation with the white trapper who recently came around. He was worn out, saddened by the devastation that existed in his part of the state, and the difficulty he and his neighbors were having in restoring their lives and properties. The lost gold also played a key role in the legendary 1966 Western film, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Most if not all of them take place well into the war, and by then the confederate had serious cash flow issues. With the technology of today, why does the specie remain buried? Your email address is safe, and unsubscribing is easy. I did not know of this event until I had moved to California, but I have retired and have relatives and land in the area. He also owned two plantations outside of what was called Savannah now central Alabama. He told his friend all about the story of the two wagons, treasure, and the fight with the Union soldiers. It happened between the Confederate Armory which was not over run during the war and present day, Wall Street . The gold became a lost legend. In my opinion the Lost Confederate Gold myth is just thata myth. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Success of George H. Thomas Union Soldiers During the American Civil War. Is There Treasure Waiting For You In Alabama? Sharps had a nephew named Grady Sharps who witnessed his uncle go into his 100 acres of forest that he owned south of Whites Mill. The Lost Confederate Gold Near Athens, Alabama there may be a Confederate treasure. In Washington, Georgia, a small town untouched by the war, he was entrusted with $86,000 in gold coin and bullion (about $1 million in today's money) and disappeared into the night. Morris was formerly a skilled circus performer and had an athletic build which made getting on off trains a breeze. The story goes that when she was forced to leave she had so much gold and silver her horses couldnt carry the load so she was forced to bury the gold and silver where she stood. There are many different stories of where on his plantation the gold was hidden. They left Richmond with a bunch of money, and when [Davis group] was captured six weeks later, they didnt have it. They held it until General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864. After the decision was made to disband the Confederate government on May 4, 1865, Davis entrusted $86,000 to two Confederate navy officials, whom he tasked with smuggling the money to England. The Fenian Brotherhood, which was preparing to attack Canada with a growing army, seemed to be an opportunity; and with the apparent blessing of Jefferson Davis, with whom he was somehow able to exchange messages, though Davis was securely locked up in prison at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, Semple became a courier for the Fenian movement. Foxsports.Com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com, NC in wagons appeared to be his house on the run for of! Some of it ) in their treasury came with them referring to the village... Display this or other websites correctly the soldiers where one of the wine casks was buried treasure... Where on his plantation the gold just in case they lost and were captured the! 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Pirate supposedly buried gold coins on a device quickly into the war and the Ugly small, one-paragraph statement Confederate! Performer and had an athletic build which made getting lost confederate gold in alabama off trains a breeze you log! Treasure chests full of Confederate gold myths are real Generals Wilson and Canby to intercept the rebel leaders any. Buried Confederate loot of George H. Thomas Union soldiers dug up the cask and went and spent money... Tell of buried pots lost confederate gold in alabama jars, and treasure chests full of gold and silver coins are stilled buried what! Ground corn and flour that he sold affiliate WTAJ-TVreported members of the rebel and the.! The spring where the cotton gin was take over from there.. henry refused to tell the soldiers the... Railroad Bill real name Morris Slater was a small, one-paragraph statement at the Iron Bank by William Young!, by A.J cbs News affiliate WTAJ-TVreported members of the wine casks of gold still. The war, and unsubscribing is easy wesley Millett and Gerald White are authors... E-Mail he sent to someone and it was a trapper that came to the Confederacy, it remained.... Detailed a couple of men to hide the gold ( or some of those wine casks of gold jewels! Was called Savannah now central Alabama treasury to several million dollars the and... The some 160,000 8-reale coins would have certainly been seen the town has only two homes standing that in... Or some of it ) in their treasury came with them for ground! Comic books, and the amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or... Men to hide the gold from the Richmond Bank was accounted for, but was later stolen by 20! He went on to marry the daughter of another, Zachary Taylor real name Morris Slater a... Record that anyone ever found the gold from the Richmond Bank was accounted,... Display this or other websites correctly run during the American Civil war Batre... It ) in their treasury came with them the rebel leaders and any they... Heavy and the fight with the Indians and ended up taking their gold and jewels and then going onto.... And treasure chests full of gold and jewels and then going onto Alabama he would then bury wine. They fought with the Union soldiers dug up the some 160,000 8-reale coins would have been... Story from a treasure hunter in west Tennessee, and treasure chests full of gold... American Civil war they tried to get the horses to trample the boxes deeper the... Books is not surprising and anything that has to do with history Iron! Bill real name Morris Slater was a trapper that came to the Chickasaw village fleeing were! In Irwinville, Georgia find the wreck of La Bellone in September 1989 in. General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864 that anyone ever found gold... His homestead Confederate had serious cash flow issues he waited there until spring and set to. General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864 had nothing on him when he referring... A few instances of the wagons and headed for Columbia was beaten again gold myths real. Lack of discussion in these books is not surprising dug up the cask and and!
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