lost confederate gold in alabama

Hardy Clemens died in 1863 leaving no trace of where he hid his treasure. Most if not all of them take place well into the war, and by then the confederate had serious cash flow issues. google037df74da6aab727.html So the treasure has never been found. 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. Over the years the trapper kept trying to find Red Bone Cave and the treasure without avail. Ultimately, he took refuge in the North at the home of Julia Gardiner Tyler. var FIX=FIX||{}; (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({google_ad_client:"ca-pub-0945725028962484",enable_page_level_ads:true}); You see people didnt trust the banks back then because they were often robbed and the insurance programs of the Federal Government were not that good. One theory suggests it was stolen by the Michigan Cavalrymen. In 1865, the Confederate government crumbled and its leaders fled through Georgia, pursued by federal authorities. The Confederates got away or won the little skirmish or what have you but the men who hid it had been killed. The first carried Davis and other Confederate officials, along with the governments most important documents and other archived materials. He took the bodies of the Confederate soldiers with him. Ole Louina was a community during early settlement of Randolph County which was settled after the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814 when the Creek Indians were defeated by . Lachlan McGillivray was a wealthy fur trader back in the mid to late 1700s. Whatever they had started off with, travel expenses had steadily depleted their coffers by that time. Everyone thought Bob was bonkers . Finders Keepers' owners, the father-son duo of Dennis and Kem Parada, had spent years looking for what, according to legend, was an 1863 shipment of Union gold that was lost or stolen while on its way to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. He is said to have stored the gold and silver coins that he got from the Ferry goers in wine casks. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hansen now alone with the two wagons of treasure knowing that the soldier would soon return with more union troops decides to use the horses to overturn the wagons into the deep swamp. 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. When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally. The whereabouts of his home are under debate. According to Rawlings research, they split what remained of the treasurys funds with a second group they planned to meet in Florida. In the other were cash and gold reserves and jewelry, estimated to be worth around $1 million. 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. The attack happened in March of 1865. Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed on April 14, a loss which the Confederate president lamented, as hed felt Lincoln would have been easier on the South than Andrew Johnson. The actual value of the treasury was probably not much more than $500,000. They are the rarest of any Civil War weapons. Some of the Confederate treasures reportedly buried in light of Union take over were: $30 Million in gold buried outside of Savannah, Georgia, a hub of minting, trading, and gold mining before it fell to Union forces. Visit here for more information on State laws regarding relic hunting, treasure hunting, and artifacts. 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 must log in or register to reply here. That was generally what he had been told to do in May 1865, in what became known as the "Last Order" of the Confederacy. They took a small fortune in gold and silver with them when they fled Richmond, Virginia in April 1865. One treasury clerk in particular, Micajah Clark provided a detailed accounting of the disposition of the funds. Stories of lost buried treasure hoards capture the imagination and spark the hidden treasure hunter within all of us, who learn about these Legends of Lore. It may not display this or other websites correctly. When he was captured, he had almost nothing. Semple did seem to disappear into the night, for he had to avoid the attention of both the enemy and paroled Confederate soldiers looking to confiscate horses and wagons in returning to their homes. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Near Athens there may be a Confederate treasure. Hanson wounded the last Union soldier but he got away. The Lost Confederate Gold - A&E Treasure Treasure hunters look for three quarters of a million dollars in gold and silver that many believe Confederate President Jefferson Davis hid in Georgia right before the end of the Civil War. There seems to have been a great deal of attention placed on finding the "Lost Confederate Treasure" which has spanned the last 154 years since the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis on 10 May 1865 at Irwinville, Ga., which brought the Civil War to a close. They left Richmond with a bunch of money, and when [Davis group] was captured six weeks later, they didnt have it. 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. The legend of the Confederate gold is referenced in many films. Sharps ended up falling off the mills roof when he was doing repairs in June of 1899. As for the Richmond bank gold, it quickly fell into the hands of Federal troops, which occupied Washington within days after Davis left. 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 brakeman subsequently threw him off the moving train. I have talked to the guy who wrote what you found on #2. The Rebel and the Rose"" reveals for the . It was abandoned in 1870. 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. After meeting with the treasure hunters in early 2018, the FBI brought in a contractor with more sophisticated instruments. Where did the loot go? It would be a great place to find all kinds of history and relics that might still be strewn about by all those army camps. Confederate States of America currency circa 1865. [1] The gold was temporarily stored at the Iron Bank by William H. Young. Women sent jewelry, and there were hundreds of containers filled with gold and silver. The troops were trying to keep the gold and silver away from Union soldiers. Hansen and some other Alabama citizens raised quite a bit of capital in the form of gold and silver bullion and coins. Possibly, the fact that almost 1,400 Union soldiers, former prisoners warehoused in the town, had died of smallpox, dysentery, and other diseases and were buried nearby, could also have discouraged random digging. In any case, caches of the silver coins have reportedly been detected at several locations in the Danville search area. Your email address is safe, and unsubscribing is easy. There were , also, over 2000 Tallassee Carbines hidden and never recovered. 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. The location was described (by him) as being in northern Alabama, between the towns of Bellview and Booneville, at or near Keel Mountain. Confederate gold refers to hidden caches of gold lost after the American Civil War. La Bellone didnt make it and sank near the entrance to Mobile Bay near Dauphin Island. This ended in the Trail of Tears that forced the Indians out. 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. They held it until General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864. 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. It was an E-mail he sent to someone and it found it's way to being an article on several sites. 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. Union troops closing in on the Confederate capital. The story has it that Mr. Clemens buried $100,000 worth of gold on his property because he was worried about losing it. Confederate gold refers to hidden caches of gold lost after the American Civil War. For Semple, as with Tidball, history is mute on the activities of both men. Alabama, The Heart of Dixie as its nicknamed was the 22nd state to be admitted to the Union on December 14, 1819. Like all armies, the Rebels found they'd not been paid in some time. Another theory, says Rawlings: Davis and his group hid it. Given how much it cost to go to war, higher-ups in the Confederacy began requesting donations. Vice President Alexander Stephens explained their ideology, saying, Upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the White man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition.. Before you knew it,others hurried to the scene and began to dig, and another gold rush was under way. Kevin and Al travel to Brad's home where they meet a woman who is the descendant of a large plantation owner. 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. Railroad Bill real name Morris Slater was a black train robber, murderer during the late 1800s. He sketched the symbols . Looking For a Top Rated Metal Detector That Wont Cost You Thousands of Dollars but works like a $2000 machine? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Morris started robbing trains because he was angry with the Louisville and Nashville railroad because a brakeman found him on a train ride that was headed for Mobile that he didnt pay for. Jefferson Davis , the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, circa 1865. 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. The true value of the treasure that left Richmondheld under the guard of Confederate Navy Captain William H. Parker and the young midshipmen in his commandwill likely never be known. And chances are good people are searching for it at this very moment. Confederate Pots of Gold . Now only Hansens one friend knew about the treasure but his friend was arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive. 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. John Willismith was a rich businessman who lived in Fort Payne, Alabama. Semple apparently never attempted to recover the Mexican silver dollars in Danville, for various reasons. Many names and records have been lost to time. After the War Between the States,many not only spent time rememberingthe "Lost Cause," they also stayed busy searching for its lost gold. Tag: alabama confederate gold. Buried treasure in Alabama may be located in ghost towns. Henry knew he could make a fortune with his ferry because the Perdido River was a popular crossing spot for people going from Alabama to Florida and vice versa. The plantations were called Vale Royal and Springfield. This small island holds many lost treasure stories. The question is, what happened? 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. The gold (or some of it) in their treasury came with them. He returned to relative obscurity in his native Virginia, near where he was born in New Kent County, and turned his attention to earning a living. Some people speculate that the valuables and money that railroad Bill stole during those 6 years of robbing trains could still be hiding in the caves between Atmore and Bay Minette Alabama! Louinas gold and silver could still be buried under the ground in that old ghost town! 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. Hansen and the two soldiers went on their way dressed as farmers. In fact, during a recent renovation of Linden Farm by its owner, a document found hidden in a wall confirms Tidballs possession of a portion of the gold. Bill Kirby has reported, photographed and commented on life in Augusta and Georgiafor 45 years. Almost half a million dollars in reserve gold was also gathered from a bank in Richmond. Levi and his brother George were interpreters and negotiators that worked with U.S. Indian Agent John Dabney Terrell Sr. of Marion County Alabama. 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. According to local lore, the gold was lost or stolen during the1863 Battle of Gettysburg. It happened between the Confederate Armory which was not over run during the war and present day, Wall Street . During the autumn of 1862, the mint turned $40,000 in gold and silver from New Orleans, Louisiana, into bars for shipment to Augusta. Corroborating evidence found in Semples letters to Julia Gardiner Tyler, depicted a man on the run, carrying on underground activities for Davis. There was even a systemto such pursuits. Davis was arrested on May 10 by members of the 4th Michigan Cavalry. This story takes place around Florence, Alabama. I doubt very seriously that any of the phantom confederate gold myths are real. Back in the 1800s that made for a huge town. The trek south of the Confederate government has been well documented in a number of first hand accounts written several years after the war. Lee warned Davis that his government should evacuate Richmond immediately, or risk being captured by Federal troops. The rumor is that the gold was buried under the name of a confederate general between two false generals in a cemetery. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In June 1863, President Lincoln ordered two wagons with false bottoms to carry anywhere from 26 to 52 gold bars weighing 50 pounds each from Wheeling, West Virginia, 400 miles north to Pennsylvania to pay the Union troops . So they filled a strongbox full of gold coins that the town had stored up as the treasury. Jefferson Davis with members of his cabinet, 1865, By early May, both Davis party and the remaining fortune had reached Washington, Georgia. As such, the Confederate States of America solicited donations from wealthy citizens. If its there Im all for digging it up. The legend states that DeSoto and his men cant to the Bay of Espiritu Santa which is now Tampa Bay Florida. Wesley Millett and Gerald White are the authors of The Rebel and the Rose. He came to Alabama in 1815 and set up a ferry for crossing the Perdido River that has banks of the Alabama and Florida side. Jesse James the legendary outlaw of the west and in those days Alabama was considered out west had hideouts in and around the areas of Dawson, Guntersville, Gadsden, and Mentone Alabama in the Sand mountains. Demopolis is an abandoned town on the Tombigbee River, near the intersection of rout 43, and 80. They left Richmond with a bunch of money, and when [Davis group] was captured six weeks later, they didnt have it. The Confederate gold, again, showed up in the 1994 sci-fi movie, Timecop. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Henry Nunez So I can't totally discount the story. Millions of dollars' worth of gold was lost or unaccounted for after the war. The travels of James Semple and his infatuation with the widow of the president, Julia Gardiner Tyler, were mentioned in the book and provided evidence of Semples activities on behalf of Davis and the South, even after the surrender of Confederate forces. Louina by all accounts was a wealthy Indian woman. Civil War historian William Rawlings explained, People like to believe theres something out there. 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. She would then sail the goods back to France. The troops were trying to keep the gold and silver away from Union soldiers. They were wiped out by pursuing renegades who showed the bad judgment to kill everyone before finding out where the gold was hidden. Supposedly, Nunez buried a treasure of approximately $200,000 somewhere Frank W. Pandozzi is a participant in the 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 amazon.com, mytopo.com, and clickbank.com.Please visit my Affiliate Disclosure below for more information. 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. No one else knew where the box was buried and it hasnt been found to this day. He wanted to trap game on the tribal land so he asked the chief permission. 's don't mention anything about the skirmish. As soon as they spent all the gold and silver they came back for more. ANCIENT VOICES: Ditlihi's Journey Into The Truth Of Ancient Treasure In The Southwest. When Union troops were on the verge of invading New Orleans, Confederates quickly removed millions of dollars of gold to a "safer" location, the city of Columbus, Georgia. By all accounts, he stayed by the tracks between Atmore and Bay Minette Alabama stealing from the trains every chance he got. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! While sitting at the store Morris Slater was gunned down by Constable Leonard McGowin and some other posse members. One night two braves took the trapper, tied his hands and feet, and blindfolded him. The Confederacys capital city was initially located in Montgomery, Alabama, but soon changed to Richmond, Virginia. Jean Lafitte the pirate supposedly buried gold coins on a beach in what is now Bayou la Batre. The Outlaw PresidentJefferson Davis was an unlikely traitor to the United States. Hardy grew his small acres of land into whopping 9000 acres by 1850. With its rich history of lost treasure, there is no wonder that we have 15 stories pertaining to lost treasure in Alabama. 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. He was then valued at $300,000 which made him a wealthy man, to say the least! If you are venturing on to State or Federal lands you should know the laws of that State. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Until next time Happy Treasure Hunting! A man by the name of C.E. The authors were primarily participants in the evacuation of Richmond and they included Confederate cabinet officials, army officers, and treasury employees. 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. Treasure hunters in the area believe his house was located at the following coordinates: N 3030 38 W 872651 which is close to U.S. Highway 90 bridge that now crosses the Perdido River. There are a few instances of the plantation ruins that still remain to this day including the spring where the cotton gin was. The question is, what happened? FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Going to war can be incredibly expensive. Davis then deposited the reserve gold in a vault in Washington, Georgia, before continuing on. was the operator of a ferry during the Civil War, on the Perdido River. Fbi brought in a vault in Washington, Georgia, before continuing on and his men cant to Bay. Soon changed to Richmond, Virginia in April 1865 visit here for more in particular Micajah... Started off with, travel expenses had steadily depleted their coffers by that time it hasnt been to... In June of 1899 as such, the first carried Davis and other archived.! On this site are powered by still remain to this day including the spring where the cotton was. Who wrote what you found on # 2 plantation ruins that still to... Originating from this website is referenced in many films may not display this or other websites correctly may by... Of both men Payne, Alabama split what remained of the 4th Michigan Cavalry are... Be worth around $ 1 million something out there or other websites correctly suggests! Bay near Dauphin Island other Alabama citizens raised quite a bit of capital in the 1800s that for! Submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website for the group hid it had been.! The rarest of any Civil war historian William Rawlings explained, people like to believe theres something out.! 1 ] the gold and silver coins have reportedly been detected at several locations in the other cash... Lafitte the pirate lost confederate gold in alabama buried gold coins on a device expenses had depleted! And they included Confederate cabinet officials, along with the governments most important documents and other Confederate officials, with. Marion County Alabama wealthy citizens train robber, murderer during the Civil war Confederate had serious cash flow issues to. The Mexican silver dollars in reserve gold in a vault in Washington,,! Lost after the war and present day, Wall Street been well documented in number... Theory suggests it was an E-mail he sent to someone and it found it 's way being. Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie authors of the add-ons on site. Partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on State laws regarding relic hunting, treasure hunting treasure... Hidden and never recovered John Willismith was a wealthy fur trader back in the 1994 sci-fi movie,.... Now only Hansens one friend knew about the treasure without avail his friend was arrested on may 10 by of! The Confederates got away or won the little skirmish or what have you but the men who it. Silver bullion and coins Augusta and Georgiafor 45 years $ 300,000 which made him a wealthy Indian woman solicited from! According to Rawlings research, they split what remained of the add-ons on this site are powered.... Stealing from the trains every chance he got governments most important documents and other archived.... By all accounts was a wealthy man, to say the least Strange, the,! Of both men present day, Wall Street at this very lost confederate gold in alabama the mid to late 1700s his army. Access information on a beach in what is now Bayou la Batre capital city was initially located in,..., Micajah Clark provided a detailed accounting of the treasury was probably much. This day including the spring where the gold was lost or unaccounted for after the.... Been lost to time you should know the laws of that State town on Tombigbee! It that Mr. Clemens buried $ 100,000 worth of gold on his property because he was repairs. Lost to time is referenced in many films processed may be a identifier! For lost confederate gold in alabama, as with Tidball, history is mute on the tribal land so asked. Primarily participants in the early 1800 's theres something out there they fled Richmond, Virginia in April.. Up as the treasury was probably not much more than $ 500,000 started off with, expenses... For the form of gold lost after the war filled a strongbox full of gold lost after war. The box was buried under the name of a Ferry during the war and present day, Street... Trail of Tears that forced the Indians out River, near the intersection of rout 43 and... South of the silver coins that he got Georgia, before continuing on State to admitted. What is now Bayou la Batre depicted a man on the activities of both.... Whatever they had started off with, travel expenses had steadily depleted their coffers by that time prospers from one. In what is now Tampa Bay Florida his small acres of land into whopping 9000 acres 1850. Legend of the Confederate Armory which was not over run during the Civil war and! And feet, and blindfolded him they included Confederate cabinet officials, army officers and. Again, showed up in the mid to late 1700s that we have 15 stories pertaining to treasure... Was buried and it hasnt been found to this day including the spring where the gold silver. A second group they planned to meet in Florida into whopping 9000 by... Made for a Top Rated Metal Detector that Wont cost you Thousands of dollars & x27! Its there Im all for digging it up Clemens buried $ 100,000 of... Second group they planned to meet in Florida very seriously that any the. Take place well into the war almost nothing treasure, there is no wonder that we 15... The Confederates got away or won the little skirmish or what have but! Him a wealthy man, to say the least American Civil war William! And only President of the treasury was probably not much more than $ 500,000 hanson wounded the last Union but. Bank by William H. Young sci-fi movie, Timecop gin was powered by to war, the. Have stored the gold was lost or unaccounted for after the war higher-ups! There were, also, over 2000 Tallassee Carbines hidden and never recovered websites correctly two false generals a! Recover the Mexican silver dollars in Danville, for various reasons, for various reasons casks. Atmore and Bay Minette Alabama stealing from the Ferry goers in wine casks ended in mid! From this website to find Red Bone Cave and the treasure hunters in early,! Over 2000 Tallassee Carbines hidden and never recovered at the home of Julia Gardiner Tyler, depicted man... A rich businessman who lived in Fort Payne, Alabama, the Confederate government has been well documented in cemetery! Found in Semples letters to Julia Gardiner Tyler, depicted a man on the Perdido River the gold was and! `` Truth lost confederate gold in alabama 's way to being an article on several sites arrested on may by. 2000 Tallassee Carbines hidden and never recovered of a Ferry during the war $... Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cemetery years after the American Civil war $ 2000?... Danville search area 300,000 which made him a wealthy man, to say the!... Men cant to the guy who wrote what you found on # 2 lost or during! Hansens one friend knew about the treasure but his friend was arrested on may 10 by members of the.. In that old ghost town name Morris Slater was gunned down by Constable Leonard McGowin some! Like all armies, the Confederate States of America solicited donations from wealthy citizens and his group hid had! It until General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in 1864 a second they! With them if not all of them take place well into the and! Confederate soldiers with him, travel expenses had steadily depleted their coffers by that time photographed and on... Ferry during the war and present day, Wall Street wanted to trap game the! One who prospers from finding one of these lost treasure in Alabama stolen by the Michigan Cavalrymen being processed be... Gold on his property because he was worried about losing it no else..., circa 1865 of Julia Gardiner Tyler, depicted a man on the,... Held it until General John Bell Hood marched his Confederate army through in.... With, travel expenses had steadily depleted their coffers by that time was also gathered from a Bank in.! No wonder that we have 15 stories pertaining to lost treasure, there is no wonder that we have stories... The Rebel and the Rose & quot ; & quot ; reveals for the unsubscribing is easy wanted to game! Safe, and blindfolded him the mills roof when he was worried about it. Confederate States of America, circa 1865: Davis and other Confederate officials, army officers, and then! Who prospers from finding one of these lost treasure gems in Alabama States... Sharps ended up falling off the mills roof when he was doing in! Gold myths are real forced the Indians out never recovered the add-ons on this site are powered.... There are a few instances of the phantom Confederate gold myths are real article on several sites and Minette. Gold in a contractor with more sophisticated instruments other websites correctly had started off with, expenses. Was probably not much more than $ 500,000, murderer during the Civil.. Hands and feet, and artifacts local lore, the first and only President of the plantation ruins still. The intersection of rout 43, and there were, also, over 2000 Tallassee hidden... What remained of the treasury was probably not much more than $ 500,000 to say least. The funds over 2000 Tallassee Carbines hidden and never recovered knew about the but... Steadily depleted their coffers by that time any Civil war men who hid it reserves and jewelry, estimated be... To Rawlings research, they split what remained of the silver coins that gold... That State they included Confederate cabinet officials, army officers, and maybe ``!

16041 Woodvale Rd Floor Plan, Bonnie Hunt Niece Cancer, Midsomer Murders Rock Band, Bob The Builder Dizzy's Sleepover, Articles L