Halleck ordered Generals Wilson and Canby to intercept the rebel leaders and any wealth they were transporting. The mountain I saw that looked like an overturned boat is just to the east of Belleville, off US 231. Rawlings himself has seen evidence of what appeared to be part of that buried Confederate loot. He ran an inn and Ferry that became known as Buzzard Roost in 1801. He took the bodies of the Confederate soldiers with him. Everyone thought Bob was bonkers . Union soldiers were invading the countryside around Sherwood Forest, the Tyler plantation, and the safety of her young children was paramount. Its still hidden in a limestone cave called Red Bone. Then too, given the volume and weight of the silver, the digging would have certainly been noticed by soldiers and townspeople, whether during the day or at night under the glow of kerosene lamps. 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 plantations were called Vale Royal and Springfield. In the 1938 book, Flight Into Oblivion, by A.J. [OFFICIAL. Lachlan McGillivray was a wealthy fur trader back in the mid to late 1700s. And some say its buried amongst the slaves in the graveyard on the property. One of his readers showed him a Mexican silver coin dating to the 1850s, which he said was uncovered by a logging crew in the 1940s near a Georgia spot where Davis party is known to have camped. An ardent Confederate, Julia had made a difficult decision late in the war to leave Virginia for her mothers home on Staten Island, New York. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. Legend held the treasure was watched overby ghostly spirits. In 1720 there was a trapper that came to the Chickasaw village. She says that some Confederate gold was hidden there and some is still being found today. He didnt even tell his son. / CBS/AP. "There's been a pattern of behavior by the FBI that's been very troubling," said Anne Weismann, who represents Finders Keepers. It may not display this or other websites correctly. "[2], Amid the collapse of the Confederacy, General Henry Halleck, Chief of Staff of the Union armies, wrote on April 26, 1865, that Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, was fleeing with large quantities of specie. Keep in mind most of these lost treasure stories have been handed down by word of mouth over the centuries. When he was captured, he had almost nothing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hansen ended up killing one of the Union scouts. It is said that he would only accept gold coins as payment for the ground corn and flour that he sold. Richmond was burning. Kevin and Al travel to Brad's home where they meet a woman who is the descendant of a large plantation owner. That is a crazy amount of money even by todays standards. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Its fate has remained a mystery for more than 150 years, fueling a wealth of local legends in the South and elsewhere, and even inspiring Hollywood movies like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) and Sahara (2005), based on the book by Clive Cussler. The Rebel and the Rose"" reveals for the . However, the treasury increasingly became an encumbrance on his flight, and Davis had disbursed the treasury along the way, among others to General Joseph E. Johnston in order for him to pay his troops at Greensboro, North Carolina, and to several banks for safekeeping, with the remainder paid out to Joseph Wheeler's accompanying cavalry men before dismissing them from their duties. In an account he made to a Richmond newspaper in 1893, Parker recalled that the government funds placed in his charge totaled only about $500,000 in gold, silver and bullion. Still, rumors of the millions persist. So with Jesse James spending time and hiding out, its only natural that many believe that he would have buried treasure in and around these areas of Alabama. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 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. The legend of the Confederate gold is referenced in many films. He was off north to battle the Yankees near Nashville. In North Carolina, some say gold was secretly hidden because they couldn't get the heavy treasure through a swamp north of Greensboro. Hansen stayed with his friends for a few days hiding under the floor when Union Soldiers would come by. He allowed both sides to use the ferry free of charge in hopes that he would be allowed to continue his ferry operations. Henry refused and was subsequently strung up to a tree and whipped. People like to believe theres something out there, Rawlings says. All the merchandise including the gold and silver bullion and coins sank with the ship. Lee warned Davis that his government should evacuate Richmond immediately, or risk being captured by Federal troops. So if you are ever in that area you might want to have your metal detector and shovel ready because there might be something worth finding buried in the ground there. Young refused to release it, but was compelled to do so by force. 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. For Semple, as with Tidball, history is mute on the activities of both men. With its rich history of lost treasure, there is no wonder that we have 15 stories pertaining to lost treasure in Alabama. They held it until General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864. There are stories that the Islanders tell of buried pots, jars, and treasure chests full of gold and silver. Visit here for more information on State laws regarding relic hunting, treasure hunting, and artifacts. Hansen and some other Alabama citizens raised quite a bit of capital in the form of gold and silver bullion and coins. (Published 1865)", Last Sighting of the Lost Confederate Gold in Georgia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confederate_gold&oldid=1130607928, A series of western adventure novels written by, This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 01:37. AFFILIATE DISCLOSUREI am an affiliate marketer. Im not sure of the accuracy of this story but here it goes. Digging Deeper: Lost Treasures of Oklahoma. Near Demopolis is an area named White Bluff. But on May 10, when members of the 4th Michigan Cavalry captured Davis group near Irwinville, Georgia, they had only a few dollars with them. Once called the Rose of Long Island for an advertisement that used her image, Julia was strikingly attractive, even at 45. That was the one chunk of money that was basically just stolen by someone, Rawlings says. That was generally what he had been told to do in May 1865, in what became known as the "Last Order" of the Confederacy. Then, after the Justice Department ordered a more thorough review, the FBI said its records were exempt from public disclosure. Two more Union soldiers were killed along with the two rebels that had been with Hansen. This would be a nice area to use a metal detector in. My Special Bundle Package of digital books and the links to my TV series is loaded with information that will guide you toward treasures large and small. The rumor is that the gold was buried under the name of a confederate general between two false generals in a cemetery. During the autumn of 1864 it was clear the Confederacy was losing the Civil War. They also covered the boxes with straw and fertilizer to conceal the treasure within. It definitely would be worth taking a metal detector to the beach, Two wooden boxes full of gold and silver bullion and coins, Buried deep in a bog nearAthens, Alabama, NearFlorence, Alabama south of Whites mill, Hardy Clemens plantation ruins nearCoaling, Alabama on the shores of Big Sandy Creek, Dawson, Guntersville, Gadsden, and Mentone Alabama in the Sand mountains, Ghost town of Louina inRandolph County Alabama, the caves between Atmore and Bay Minette Alabama, N 3030 38 W 872651 which is close to U.S. Highway 90 bridge that now crosses the Perdido River, 40,000 crowns of gold and silver bullion and coins, Near the entrance to Mobile Bay near Dauphin Island, Cave full ofgold and silver bars, coins, and jewels, Underwater cave near Muscle Shoals, Alabama along the Tennessee river. Davis then deposited the reserve gold in a vault in Washington, Georgia, before continuing on. Hansen then used the horses to trample the boxes deeper into the mud. The question that I pose. For one reason only. Semple was also given vague instructions, which left a great deal of latitude in where he went and how he got there. They were active in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Alabama. According to Beauregard's biography, "What became of that coin is a mystery. Watch Live: Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. There are a few instances of the plantation ruins that still remain to this day including the spring where the cotton gin was. Georgia has always claimed a special place with Confederate gold stories because Confederate President Jefferson Davis was not only captured in the state, but the fate of the gold was discussed at his last cabinet meeting held in Wilkes County. "From the outset, it seems as if the FBI is doing everything it can to avoid answering the question of whether they actually found gold," Weismann said. According to Rawlings research, they split what remained of the treasurys funds with a second group they planned to meet in Florida. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Like all armies, the Rebels found they'd not been paid in some time. CBS News affiliate WTAJ-TVreported members of the Elk County Historical Society say they believe the gold is just an old wives' tale. Sharps bought a mill there called Whites Mill in 1897. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Know of good Lost Treasure Stories for this County? [1] The gold was temporarily stored at the Iron Bank by William H. Young. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. So I can't totally discount the story. If you are venturing on to State or Federal lands you should know the laws of that State. Here's how this gold war began, according to a Pittsburg Post-Gazette article about a 1983 story in Lost Treasure magazine. This small island holds many lost treasure stories. Every legend that has any long-term staying power has a modicum of truth in it, and certainly this one does, says William Rawlings, an author of numerous nonfiction books and novels about Southern history. You must log in or register to reply here. Henry Allen Nunez was an early-day entrepreneur. until he found some of the treasures! The trapper ended up not marrying the chiefs daughter and he went away freely although he killed two braves to make sure he was able to leave. 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. If its there Im all for digging it up. Many posses were formed looking for Railroad Bill. Confederate States of America currency circa 1865. The FBI has long insisted the March 2018 dig came up empty, but the agency has consistently stymied the Paradas' efforts to obtain information. If you are ever in Muscle Shoals, Alabama along the Tennessee river you might want to take a look around for limestone caves although the Red Bone cave is more than likely underwater now and you will need to bring your scuba gear and do some underwater metal detecting. Now only Hansens one friend knew about the treasure but his friend was arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive. 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. The story of this lost treasure dates back to 1540 when the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto was in this part of the New World. After depositing the Richmond bank funds in a local vault in Washington for safekeeping, Davis continued heading south with his wife, Varina, their children and a few others. 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. 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. You are using an out of date browser. He put the wagons back up to make it appear that confederate troops had come by and took the contents of the wagons with them. Today the town has only two homes standing that are in use. Those products, whether pictures of a service or a product contain links to the seller.What companies do I work with and promote?I work with Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Clickbank, and MyTopo, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to these websites.I also promote Solo Build It Site Built It, because it's the product I used to build this website. The former assistant to Confederate Navy Secretary Stephen Mallory returned to Winchester, Virginia, where he built an elaborate house, Linden Farm, and became a prominent citizen. They picked 3 men to bury the box full of gold coins somewhere near the courthouse. With both her husband and her mother deceased, Julia was alone on Staten Island with the children, surrounded by Yankees unhappy with a Southern sympathizer in their midst, even though she had been a First Lady. Almost half a million dollars in reserve gold was also gathered from a bank in Richmond. Several legends, actually. And such rumors werent confined to the South. That was some years ago but since then the guy has found out from several old timers that the story they heard about this boat was that it was a grain or cotton barge that began taking on water and was beached. They had to pay $108,000 to troops who escorted them near the Savannah River, and $40,000 more was spent on supplies in Georgia. This Metal Detector Has all the top features you would expect in a quality metal detector. 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. Henry refused to tell the soldiers where the treasure was and was beaten again. Davis and His Gold. He is said to have stored the gold and silver coins that he got from the Ferry goers in wine casks. Allegedly, some of the Confederate treasury was hidden in order to wait for the rising again of the South and at other times simply so that the Union would not gain possession of it. A man by the name of C.E. An aspect of the treasure that Clark omitted concerned the fate of 39 kegs of Mexican silver dollars. The gold and silver coins are said to be buried east of his old homestead. The chief said that he could have all the treasure if he would marry his daughter. Union officials also estimated the value of the Confederate fortune in the millions of dollars, hoping to spur along the Federal troops seeking the fugitive Davis and his government. Unable to accept the end of the Confederacy and Northern domination over the South, he collaborated with other disenfranchised leaders exiled in Canada. He landed in a swamp and drowned because he couldnt swim. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. [5], George Trenholm, who was Confederate States Secretary of the Treasury for the last year of the Civil War, was arrested after the war and accused of making off with millions in Confederate assets. When he would return he wouldnt have the sack with him. Clemens owned many slaves so he was worried they would tell any soldiers that came by where the buried treasure was. The Justice Department denied the request - and, as of last month, had yet to assign the FOIA request to a staffer for processing, according to the lawsuit. The treasure may be The chief had a daughter that he wanted to be married off so that he could have a male offspring to carry on as chief when he died. The FBI says it came up empty at the rural Pennsylvania site where Civil War gold is rumored to be buried. The McGillivray plantation ruins lie 4 miles North of Wetumpka, Alabama. Of what was taken, only $140,000 was recovered. The Success of George H. Thomas Union Soldiers During the American Civil War. The Ghost Town of Old Cahaba located on route 22 approximately 14 miles southwest of Selma, was used as a Confederate Fort during the Civil War. It was abandoned in 1870. He immigrated here from Scotland. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. JavaScript is disabled. As for the Richmond bank gold, it quickly fell into the hands of Federal troops, which occupied Washington within days after Davis left. As such, the Confederate States of America solicited donations from wealthy citizens. 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. From lost confederate Civil War gold to lost Indian gold to plantation owners and their lost treasure we have a little bit of everything in these stories. The Lost Confederate Gold Near Athens, Alabama there may be a Confederate treasure. They tried to get the horses and wagons out of the swampy area but the load was too heavy and the wagons got stuck. The below mentioned George Trenholm incidentally, accompanied Davis on part of his flight but dropped out prematurely due to ill health, which was taken as circumstantial evidence by his Union accusers, when they later accused Trenholm of theft. The wreck is still there and its treasure is waiting to be recovered! 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. Some say he buried his gold on his pig farm. 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). Jefferson Davis with members of his cabinet, 1865, By early May, both Davis party and the remaining fortune had reached Washington, Georgia. Hanna, The Long Surrender by Burke Davis in 1985, and in 2001, An Honorable Defeat: the Last Days of the Confederate Government by Williams C.. The treasure was secured in the false bottom of a carriage. De Soto and his army of men some 600 plus came to the Sacred mountain City of the Cherokees. 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. These states were opposed to the abolishment of slavery. 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