Dalton

[Gypsy Heart]

When the Hessian troops marched from Saratoga to Boston, to take ship after Burgoyne's surrender, they were in wretched condition-war-worn, ragged, and ill fed,--and having much with them in the form of plate and jewels that had been spared by their conquerors, together with some of the money sent from England for their hire, they were in constant fear of attack from the farmers, who, though they had been beaten, continued to regard them with an unfavorable eye. On reaching Dalton, Massachusetts, the Hessians agreed among themselves to put their valuables into a howitzer, which they buried in the woods, intending that some of their number should come back at the close of the war and recover it. An Indian had silently followed them for a long distance, to gather up any unconsidered trifles that might be left in their bivouacs, and he marked the route by blazes on the trees; but if he saw the burial of this novel treasury it meant nothing to him, and the knowledge of the hiding-place was lost. For years the populace kept watch of all strangers that came to town, and shadowed them if they went to the woods, but without result. In about the year 1800 the supposed hiding-place was examined closely and excavations were made, but, as before, nothing rewarded the search.

http://menotomymaps.com/map_blog2.asp?blog_id=7501

 

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[kiddrock33]

been looking at this one for a while now.

 

[iamwood]

OOOH if there were just a bit more info!!!

 

[hogge]

When the Hessian troops marched from Saratoga to Boston, to take ship after Burgoyne's surrender, they were in wretched condition-war-worn, ragged, and ill fed,--and having much with them in the form of plate and jewels that had been spared by their conquerors, together with some of the money sent from England for their hire, they were in constant fear of attack from the farmers, who, though they had been beaten, continued to regard them with an unfavorable eye. On reaching Dalton, Massachusetts, the Hessians agreed among themselves to put their valuables into a howitzer, which they buried in the woods, intending that some of their number should come back at the close of the war and recover it. An Indian had silently followed them for a long distance, to gather up any unconsidered trifles that might be left in their bivouacs, and he marked the route by blazes on the trees; but if he saw the burial of this novel treasury it meant nothing to him, and the knowledge of the hiding-place was lost. For years the populace kept watch of all strangers that came to town, and shadowed them if they went to the woods, but without result. In about the year 1800 the supposed hiding-place was examined closely and excavations were made, but, as before, nothing rewarded the search.

http://menotomymaps.com/map_blog2.asp?blog_id=7501

A British Revolutionary War Cardridge Box Sling Belt Tip, ID'ed as 1st Royal Artillery Regiment. Part of Gen. Burgoynes' Army. Most likely captured equipment. Found in a Berkshire town.

 

[thebeatmachine]

So if you see one of these while walking in Washingtom Mountain, look for the treasure inside.

 

[kiddrock33]

i thought it might look like these.

 

[cheffer]

My family has been detecting in the Berkshires since the late 70's and chartered the Berkshire Association of Treasure Hunters back in the 80's, and the legend of the buried cannon(s) in Dalton has long been a topic of conversation. My father spent a good deal of time researching this route, though he never came up with anything solid.

What say we put together a posse of Berkshire detectors and go find this treasure once and for all?

Steve

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B02E7DD133BE033A25752C2A96E9C94629FD7CF

 

[hogge]

My family has been detecting in the Berkshires since the late 70's and chartered the Berkshire Association of Treasure Hunters back in the 80's, and the legend of the buried cannon(s) in Dalton has long been a topic of conversation. My father spent a good deal of time researching this route, though he never came up with anything solid.

What say we put together a posse of Berkshire detectors and go find this treasure once and for all?

Steve

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B02E7DD133BE033A25752C2A96E9C94629FD7CF

Hey guys and gals. I too live in Berkshire County, and have always heard of this legend and it's treasure. There are a few things in which common sense bears in mind. For instance, after the Battle of Saratoga, ALL artillery pieces were surrendered, and accounted for. Second, if you were a Hessian soldier from this battle, knowing your whole army was captured, and you yourself, were trying to evade capture, would you waste time and effort dragging a 500+ lb. artillery piece all over the countryside? NO....you would be getting out of Dodge as fast as possible. Do I think some renegade Hessien soldiers escaped capture, ran amuck, and piliged the countryside homes for loot and buried it somewhere? YES I DO. But as regards to the "old folklore legend" that it's buried in a cannon or mortar, ABSOLUTELY NOT! The secret to finding "the good stuff", is to think rationally, and search methodically. Not by chasing ghosts, or grasping at straws, from old tall tales. It's nice to have dreams, but if you stay close to reality, you'll have more fun and won't be set up for disappointment. Good Luck!

 

[KEYSHUNTER]

hello,i grew up in dalton,now live in florida.never once in school did this come up?? wish it did,would of made running about the mountains pretty neat.may be up that way for vacation soon,let you all know...