The existence of the lost Confederate gold has been the source of numerous Georgia legends. Dozens of theories have been proposed to explain the mystery behind the missing treasure. According to legend, a veritable fortune in gold, silver, and jewels had been carried by President Jefferson Davis and his men when they abandoned Richmond, Virginia, but, when they were captured, it was all gone. All of it, save a few confederate banknotes. And the most improbable part of all was the staggering 4,000 kilograms of Mexican silver dollars that seemed to simply have vanished. 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.
On the night of May 24, 1865, several wagon trains filled with gold, one containing the last of the Confederate treasury and the other money from Virginia banks, were robbed at Chennault Crossroads in Lincoln County.
Chennault Plantation, owned by Dionysius Chennault who was an elderly planter and Methodist minister, played a significant role in the story. The gold was to be returned to France who had loaned the money to support the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis had given his word that the gold would be returned regardless of the outcome of the war. Towards the end of the war, Captain Parker of the Navy and a group of other volunteers brought the gold from Richmond, Virginia, to Anderson, South Carolina, by train and from there by wagon hoping to get to Savannah to load it on a waiting ship.
On the night of May 24, 1865, several wagon trains filled with gold, one containing the last of the Confederate treasury and the other money from Virginia banks, were robbed at Chennault Crossroads in Lincoln County.
Chennault Plantation, owned by Dionysius Chennault who was an elderly planter and Methodist minister, played a significant role in the story. The gold was to be returned to France who had loaned the money to support the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis had given his word that the gold would be returned regardless of the outcome of the war. Towards the end of the war, Captain Parker of the Navy and a group of other volunteers brought the gold from Richmond, Virginia, to Anderson, South Carolina, by train and from there by wagon hoping to get to Savannah to load it on a waiting ship.
Parker was to camp outside Washington, Georgia, where he was to meet with Jefferson Davis and receive further instructions. Parker's group camped on the Chennault place and then received word to proceed on to Augusta and then Savannah, while avoiding contact with the large number of Union troops present in Georgia.
Accordingly the group set out on their assigned mission, but unfortunately their scouts met Union troops before they got to Augusta. The group returned to the Chennault Plantation. Parker was unable to receive further instructions from Davis because he had already left Washington. It was on this night that the gold disappeared in a hijacking about 100 yards from the porch of the house. One theory says that the treasure was buried at the confluence of the Apalachee and Oconee rivers. Some say that the gold was divided among the locals.
However, on May 2015, treasure hunters believe they have found $2million worth of gold stolen from the Confederates after the Civil War in a Lake Michigan Shipwreck.
Accordingly the group set out on their assigned mission, but unfortunately their scouts met Union troops before they got to Augusta. The group returned to the Chennault Plantation. Parker was unable to receive further instructions from Davis because he had already left Washington. It was on this night that the gold disappeared in a hijacking about 100 yards from the porch of the house. One theory says that the treasure was buried at the confluence of the Apalachee and Oconee rivers. Some say that the gold was divided among the locals.
However, on May 2015, treasure hunters believe they have found $2million worth of gold stolen from the Confederates after the Civil War in a Lake Michigan Shipwreck.
The group of men first heard about the treasure from a man on his death bed in 2010. It was a story where $2 million worth of gold and silver fell off a box car into Lake Michigan. That amount in 2017 is now worth more than $140 million.
After years of research, they believe they tracked the gold down to a group of Union officers and their friend, Charles Hackley.
This is where it gets complicated. Hackley is a prominent name in Muskegon, giving millions of dollars to the city. One of his donations possibly hints at his fortune being tied to Confederate gold.
Dykstra heard the story from Monroe and started doing research by tracking six wagons of gold leaving Irwinville, Georgia. The gold was travelling with Confederacy President Jefferson Davis. His coworker at Calvary Christian Schools, Brad Richards, was soon on board. .
Kevin Dykstra and Frederick J. Monroe, who have been searching for the long-lost bullions for a year, claim they have stumbled upon a 19th Century tug boat off of Frankfort, Michigan, with the cabin doors still intact.
There is also a safe on the vessel, and the pair believe there is something hidden inside, and are now trying to pry it open.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_gold
http://www.kudcom.com/www/gold.html
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/the-worlds-biggest-mysteries-scientists-still-cant-solve/news-story/aac87ed0bc09d5cd4dfba0d49f613334
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3101245/Treasure-hunters-believe-gold-stolen-Confederates-Civil-War-worth-2million-Lake-Michigan-shipwreck.html
Please don't put your website link in Comment section. This is for discussion article related only. Thank you :)