Swamp Gold

[Bigcypresshunter]

I hope its not referring to the Jefferson Davis gold.

That was supposed to be a "carload" or 220 wagon loads according to the December 18, 1881 New York Times article. http://tinyurl.com/7d57okg
The 7 pony loads is supposed to be English Sovereigns buried by the Seminoles in 1818. Supposedly in a swamp known as Old Yarbor pond, north of Hwy 2 and NE of the junction of Hwy 2 and the Chattahoochee River and Carter's Mill Creek. The location isn't right though because the Old Yarbor pond is south of Hwy 2.

OK thanks Digg. Wrong legend so I will have no need to buy the book. Interesting story though however not what I was hoping for... Scratch another off the list.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

I found something but this thread is so old I cant remember if I discounted this one or not. Ill have to read back on my research.. Sounds like maybe a connection because one version of the Confederate gold legend does come from Kentucky. (reply #505)
http://www.losttreasure.com/node/381

Confederate Treasure
By Howard M. Duffy
From page 45 of the May, 1977 issue of Lost Treasure
Copyright © 1977 Lost Treasure, Inc. all rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


On June 8, 1864 Confederate troops under Gen. John H. Morgan raided the bank at Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and stole $80,000 in gold, silver, bank notes and federal currency. The loot has never been accounted for, and it is believed much of it was hastily hidden in the area as federal troops hotly pursued the raiders. Whether Gen. Morgan personally shared in the spoils is not known. However, he was later threatened with court martial for failure to exercise better control over his rampaging troops.

(I have to pay to read the rest)

 

[diggummup]

I found something but this thread is so old I cant remember if I discounted this one or not. Ill have to read back on my research.. Sounds like maybe a connection because one version of the Confederate gold legend does come from Kentucky. (reply #505)
http://www.losttreasure.com/node/381

Confederate Treasure
By Howard M. Duffy
From page 45 of the May, 1977 issue of Lost Treasure
Copyright © 1977 Lost Treasure, Inc. all rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


On June 8, 1864 Confederate troops under Gen. John H. Morgan raided the bank at Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and stole $80,000 in gold, silver, bank notes and federal currency. The loot has never been accounted for, and it is believed much of it was hastily hidden in the area as federal troops hotly pursued the raiders. Whether Gen. Morgan personally shared in the spoils is not known. However, he was later threatened with court martial for failure to exercise better control over his rampaging troops.

(I have to pay to read the rest)

June 8, 1864 – CS John Hunt Morgan with 600 of his men captured Mt. Sterling. and 150US soldiers. CSA forces under Gen. John H. Morgan, while on his last raid through Kentucky, attacked the Union camp at Mount Sterling under Capt. Edward Barlow and captured the town. Morgan's forces took 380 prisoners and material. Interview with a gentleman who was with Morgan's command, "They next made a dash on Mount Sterling, and captured four hundred of the enemy and large supplies of military and medical stores." Leaving a force here under Col. H. L. Giltner, Morgan moved west with his 2nd Brigade.
Later, at night, several of Morgan's men went to the house of J. O. Miller, cashier of the Farmer's Bank, took the vault key from him and robbed the bank of $60,000. The money was never recovered.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks Digg. It may have no connection with the Florida legend but Ill keep an open mind.

In 1865, Captain John Riley and a detachment of Confederate troops were sent from Kentucky with a half ton of gold bullion to be transported to Fort Mead, Florida, and then on to Havana, Cuba. As Union troops advanced through Florida, the Confederate band fled into the Everglades, buried the gold at the last camping place, and continued their flight.

In September, 1944, it was reported that State Game Officer L. P. Harvey led a small party into the Everglades and located what they believed to have been the last camping place of the Confederates, almost hidden by undergrowth but identified by Confederate relics found there.


I would like to locate State Game Officer L. P. Harvey or any of his associates.

 

[ECS]

Central Florida's role during the War of Northern Agression was mainly the supplier of beef,sugar,salt,clothing,and whiskey for the Confederacy by way of blockade runners along both coasts and the St Johns and Oklawaha rivers.The Union raided and burnt down the Confederate seasalt works at Cedar Key,and the plantation and sugar mill of David Yulee at Homosassa.
Ocala,in Marion county was a large supplier of goods and the home of John Matin, member of the Conferderate congress,and CSA Brig Gen Robert Bullock.
Jehu Foster Marshall had a large plantation at Sharpes Ferry on the Oklawaha River,( a small CSA redoubt,Ft Fowle was located just of his plantation)and was a major supplier of goods,including whiskey ,to the CSA,and shipped his wares by way of blockade runner Col. Hubbart L Hart's HARTLINE STEAMBOAT LINE,which navigated the Oklawaha from Silver Springs to Palatka on the St Johns River.Hart's riverboats,Hart's JAMES BURT or Capt Richard J Adams's SILVER SPRINGS, were also employed as transport for the calvary of Capt J J Dickinson (Marion county),for raids on the Union forces in Palatka and along the St Johns River,starting from Ft Brook (Orange Springs),or Davenport Landing.
Lola Sanchez,was a Confederate spy living in Union occupied Palata,and provided information on Union activities to both Hart and Dickinson.On May 22,1864,with information from Sanchez,Dickinson's calvary captured and later sunk the Union gunboat USS COLUMBINE,after removing arms,supplies,and a lifeboat.This is the only known event where a cavalry unit sank an enemy ship.
MARCH 10,1865-Marshall's plantation was raided by the 3rd UNION CLORED INFANTRY,led by SGT Major Henry James.This raid was repelled by Dickinson at Sharpes Ferry,and ended all Union activity in Marion county,the Oklawaha,and much of the west side of the St Johns.The yankees in Palatka,St Augustine,and Jacksonville refered to this part of Florida as "DIXIE".
APRIL 2,1865-Richmond fell and the Confederate treasury was dispatched in several directions.
THE OCALA/OKLAWAHA CONNECTION to THE LOST COFEDERATE TREASURY
The plan was to go south with the treasury and escape to either Mexico,Cuba,or the Bahamas.
CSA Sec of State Benjamin and CSA Sec. of War,John Breckinridge (once a VP of the USA)had friends in Ocala,John Martin and CSA Brig Gen Robert Bullock.With part of the treasury,gold bullion,gold coins,and Mexican silver dollars,all in wooden barrels,they made their way to Black Creek,a tributary of the St Johns,south of Union occupied ,Jacksonville,and loaded it on Hart's JAMES BURT.Lola Sanchez informed J J Dickinson,who was on board with his men,when it was safe to run past Palatka,and go down the Oklawaha to Silver Springs.A stopover was made at Ft Brook,where it is claimed some of the barrels were buried.Benjamin and Breckenridge stayed at Bullocks house in Ocala,and Dickinson gave them the USS COLUMBINE lifeboat,on top of a wagon,which they sailed to Cuba in.
So the questions remain:
Are there still barrels buried at Ft Brook? During Reconstruction is was used as a meeting ground by the Klan.
Where did the rest go?
Lola Sanchez recieved $500.00 in Mexican silver dollars for her help May 1865.
Hubbart L Hart was paid $4500.00 from the CSA to "clear" the Oklawaha of debris,May 1865,a river he used as a blockade runner.Hart expanded his steamboat line.
Dickinson moved from Marion county to south Florida ,where he purchased land for a new plantation.Quite a deal during Reconstruction.
Bullock became a member of the US HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.
Breckenridge made it to England from Cuba, wealthy,and returned to the US,where he was involved with many companies.
During the late 1950's,an old ODD FELLOWS HALL was torn down.Found during the demolition were several CSA artillery short swords and bundles of Confederate bills.

 

[ECS]

I just read this thread for the first time. Here's what I wrote about this story back in 1964, but don't ask me where I got it from. More than likely it came from a book.

View attachment 423014

I found the following in a book titled "Sunken & Buried Treasure In Florida," by David Martindell (1990).

COLLIER COUNTY:
· Somewhere along the Turner River off Chokoloskee Bay in the Everglades National Park is a 2-acre field covered with 33-pound silver bars buried 6 to 8 inches below the surface. This was a depository for the Seminole Indians.

· The Florida Everglades is the area of a well-documented lost treasure. Near the end of the Civil War, a Confederate paymaster being pursued by Union troops buried a million-dollar payroll - $200,000 in gold coins and the remainder in paper currency. Records reveal he wrote: "Chased by the enemy, we buried our payroll at a point in the Everglades at a junction of two creeks, where the land rises like a camel's back. The money is buried in the west hump of the rise." The area is somewhere between Alligator Alley and State Road 41 in the Seminole Indian Reservation.

One question that is never asked concerning the Confederate treasury: The worth of the treasury on April 2,1865,when Richmond fell. History tells us it was composed of bullion,species,jewelrey,etc,...but what was the 1865 value?
History has also told us of what was recovered by the Union...so how much still remains undiscovered?
The EVERGLADES legend,the SUWANNEE RIVER legend,the OKLAWAHA legend...yes,these are what dreams are made of.
So,how much can still be waiting to be discovered?

 

[goldhunter61]

Evergladeslostgold.com


More info

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Evergladeslostgold.com


More info

Home - Everglades Lost Gold Hello JW. Welcome to the discussion. Before swamp buggys and airboats, travel in the swamp was done by oxen and wagon in the dry season. Remember the "oxen lady" who traveled clear across Shark Valley by herself? The Everglades were much drier at times before the L-28 levee and the water management levees were built to impound water. Even old alligator poachers pulled a wagon to Roberts Lakes.

My research leads me to believe, unfortunately, that there is no basis of fact to the Everglades legend. It appears to be made up. The author himself (jeff k)that originally wrote it in 1964 posted here to tell us that he cant even remember where he got the information. It seems you have located the same tired information that I have,

I admit however that its intriging and there is often some basis of fact even in ficticional stories.

 

[ECS]

In 1865, Captain John Riley and a detachment of Confederate troops were sent from Kentucky with a half ton of gold bullion to be transported to Fort Mead, Florida, and then on to Havana, Cuba. As Union troops advanced through Florida, the Confederate band fled into the Everglades, buried the gold at the last camping place, and continued their flight.

In September, 1944, it was reported that State Game Officer L. P. Harvey led a small party into the Everglades and located what they believed to have been the last camping place of the Confederates, almost hidden by undergrowth but identified by Confederate relics found there.


I would like to locate State Game Officer L. P. Harvey or any of his associates.

I also have my doubts concerning this legend.
1.Fort Meade was established in 1849 on the Peace River (near present day Fort Meade,Polk county),named for US Army Lt George Gordon Meade,abandoned in 1854,then reoccupied in 1857 during the 3rd Seminole War.
2. There is no evidence or reason that the Confederates used it as a fort,although many Seminloe War forts in north central were utilized by Florida Confederate Militias,ie,CSA Capt J J Dickinson.
3.The was barely any Union presence in that area of Florida after April 2,1865,the day Richmond fell ,and when the CSA treasury was diverted southward.The Union army in Florida refered to the interior land west and south of the St Johns River as "DIXIE".
4. Cuba was a desired destination,CSA Sec of War,John Breckinridge did arrived there with part of the treasury,but Fort Meade is a long way from the Atlantic coast.
5.The Everglades are slightly over 100 mi south of the Fort Meade location,a long way to run from a non-existent Union army.

 

[signal]

to all of you everglades gold hunters. Are there any historical forts that are NOT on present day private land in that area? I live in South Florida and am very interesting in checking out some areas, if anyone else is interested and has a plan and wants some help let me know.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I also have my doubts concerning this legend.
1.Fort Meade was established in 1849 on the Peace River (near present day Fort Meade,Polk county),named for US Army Lt George Gordon Meade,abandoned in 1854,then reoccupied in 1857 during the 3rd Seminole War.
2. There is no evidence or reason that the Confederates used it as a fort,although many Seminloe War forts in north central were utilized by Florida Confederate Militias,ie,CSA Capt J J Dickinson.
3.The was barely any Union presence in that area of Florida after April 2,1865,the day Richmond fell ,and when the CSA treasury was diverted southward.The Union army in Florida refered to the interior land west and south of the St Johns River as "DIXIE".
4. Cuba was a desired destination,CSA Sec of War,John Breckinridge did arrived there with part of the treasury,but Fort Meade is a long way from the Atlantic coast.
5.The Everglades are slightly over 100 mi south of the Fort Meade location,a long way to run from a non-existent Union army.

1 & 2- Even if the fort was abandoned, it could be used as a refuge from the elements for tired soldiers. Unfortunately they would have had no knowlege that it was burnt down by Seminoles. Finding it burnt to the ground, they would have had to push on.

3- There was no Union presence in the area true but according to legend the Union troops were in pursuit.

4- The Atlantic Coast was not the destination. Florida fed the Confederacy and the cattlemen were paid in gold. . My research led me to discover that the Confederates were shipping cattle out of Punta Gorda big time throughout the war and this was the most likely destination. Late in the war however the Confederate food supply route out of Punta Gorda was cut off leaving Capt John Riley, or whoever he was, with no other option but to push on in a southerly direction. .


5- The legend says the Union Army was in hot pursuit. The Confederates/Capt Riley would have no other options. West out of Punta Gorda was blocked, East would be sawgrass marsh impossible to cross. The only option would be to follow the trail south. They went as far as they could until being bogged down in muck and mosquitos, they had no choice but to bury the Gold right then and there. According to legend they were actually captured but could never return and find the locatioin. This is very believable. As a matter of fact the whole story is eerily believable. I could not believe how close the legend followed existing Seminole War trails that would still be very visible and certainly easily utilized by the Confederates. IMO this is payroll or beef money, not the Treasury. Late in the war, the cattlemen would not accept payment in paper.



At first, I also thought it all made no sense, Confederates wandering in the Everglades, all that gold in Florida, until I started studying old Seminole War trails and found the US spent more money on the Seminole Wars than any other Indian war and they built all these roads and forts. Thats when I realized they were not wandering at all but following a well used and well maintained military trail from 1858..

Whoever made up this story did their homework because it all fits like a glove. The only part that baffles me is hard evidence. If they were captured, what jail were they in? Why is there no record? Maybe I just dont know where to look? If anybody can help me find this story in military records I would really appreciate it.
Until then, its just a legend.

THE LEGEND OF SWAMP GOLD!!

 

[ECS]

You have made many valid points,and I appreciate the dialog.
During the War of Northern Agression,Florida did supply the Confederacy with cattle,pork,salt,and citrus,and other goods.Also coastal blockade runners shipped out tobacco,turpentine,and cotton for trade in Europe for warfare goods.
Union forces occupied many of the coastal towns and forts,but as I have mentioned,the interior of the state remained under Confederate control.
As you mentioned,the Confederates used Seminole War forts and trails,one being Ft Thompson (LaBell),under the command of CSA Major William Footman.
The Union post at Fort Meyers was commanded by Capt. James Doyle,a garrison composed of 110th New York Infantry,2nd US Colored Infantry,and Union 2nd Florida Calvalry,who often raided the interior Confederate supply depots to halt the supply of cattle.
On Feb 20,1865,CSA Major Footman,with 275 men, approached the fort with an ultimatum-surrender in 20 minutes.Capt Doyle refused,and the Confederates responded with a bombardment with field pieces and muskets.The fort responded with their three cannons and the seige lasted until midnight,when Footman withdrew his men under the cover of darkness.
On May 10th,1865,in Tallahassee,Union troops accepted the surrender of Florida.
May of 1865 was a busy month concerning the movement of the Confederate treasury in Florida.
Back to the Everglades gold legend.
Yes,I can see how that could have been payment for cattle,but when did this take place?Is there a date for this story?
Where did the half ton of gold bullion originate?Kentucky?
How was it transported to the interior of Florida?
Where were the Union soldiers garrisoned who were in hot pursuit?
There are many unanswered questions to this legend.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You have made many valid points,and I appreciate the dialog.
During the War of Northern Agression,Florida did supply the Confederacy with cattle,pork,salt,and citrus,and other goods.Also coastal blockade runners shipped out tobacco,turpentine,and cotton for trade in Europe for warfare goods.
Union forces occupied many of the coastal towns and forts,but as I have mentioned,the interior of the state remained under Confederate control.
As you mentioned,the Confederates used Seminole War forts and trails,one being Ft Thompson (LaBell),under the command of CSA Major William Footman.
The Union post at Fort Meyers was commanded by Capt. James Doyle,a garrison composed of 110th New York Infantry,2nd US Colored Infantry,and Union 2nd Florida Calvalry,who often raided the interior Confederate supply depots to halt the supply of cattle.
On Feb 20,1865,CSA Major Footman,with 275 men, approached the fort with an ultimatum-surrender in 20 minutes.Capt Doyle refused,and the Confederates responded with a bombardment with field pieces and muskets.The fort responded with their three cannons and the seige lasted until midnight,when Footman withdrew his men under the cover of darkness.
On May 10th,1865,in Tallahassee,Union troops accepted the surrender of Florida.
May of 1865 was a busy month concerning the movement of the Confederate treasury in Florida.
Back to the Everglades gold legend.
Yes,I can see how that could have been payment for cattle,but when did this take place?Is there a date for this story?
Where did the half ton of gold bullion originate?Kentucky?
How was it transported to the interior of Florida?
Where were the Union soldiers garrisoned who were in hot pursuit?
There are many unanswered questions to this legend.

Thanks for trying to help ECS. Its been a long time I forget all the specifics and now the thread has gone so long it gets confusing. I just dont think it has anything to do with the Treasury gold. I think thats a different treasure, but who knows?

I posted a link that is now offline. It stated how cattle was shipped out of Punta Gorda to feed the Confederacy and the ranchers insisted on payment in gold. There is also the paymaster story with several versions. They may be variations of the same and there are 2 different dates and several different originations. Maybe I need to repost them and try to make some sense of it all. The part that burns me up is it states it is "well documented." But the only documentation I find is in old treasure magazines and treasure books. I first found this in the library as a kid and still have the zerox copy to this day. It has been on ongoing pet project of mine because I love the swamp.. I have an entire box of old paper research. .

Maybe I dont know where to look? Any help is appreciated.



1- "Near the end of the Civil War, a Confederate paymaster being pursued by Union troops buried a million-dollar payroll in gold and paper currency. Records reveal he wrote: "Chased by the enemy, we buried our payroll at a point in the Everglades at a junction of two creeks, where the land rises like a camel's back. The money is buried in the west hump of the rise." He was captured, but never found the $200,000 in gold or the paper money."


2-(written in 1964) The Florida Everglades is the area of a well-documented lost treasure. Near the end of the Civil War, a Confederate paymaster being pursued by Union troops buried a million-dollar payroll - $200,000 in gold coins and the remainder in paper currency. Records reveal he wrote: "Chased by the enemy, we buried our payroll at a point in the Everglades at a junction of two creeks, where the land rises like a camel's back. The money is buried in the west hump of the rise." The area is somewhere between Alligator Alley and State Road 41 in the Seminole Indian Reservation.


3-"During the Civil War, a large shipment of gold bullionreportedly $500,000was being transported through Florida by a detachment of Confederate soldiers. The gold was to be delivered to confederate agents in Cuba, but it never reached its destination, for a large force of Union soldiers drove into the area in pursuit of the rebels.
The Confederates did not want the gold to fall into enemy hands, regardless of the outcome of battle, so they decided to hide the shipment in the nearby Everglades. Accordingly, they fell back before the advancing Union forces into the infamous Everglades. There the commanding officer, Capt. Riley, chose a spot and buried the gold before moving into an ill-fated clash with the enemy."

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

4-Half-Ton of Gold Lost
in the Everglades
FLORIDA EVERGLADES - A half-ton shipment of gold, reported to have been worth $500,000 at the time, became lost in the Florida Everglades by a detachment of Confederate soldiers.
Following the war, attempts were made to locate the gold but all such efforts failed.
I don’t have a lot of details on this story so local research should help better pinpoint the vicinity where this treasure cache was made.
According to the story, a detachment of Confederate soldiers under the command of a Captain Riley were transporting this shipment of gold bullion, which was to be delivered to Confederate agents in Cuba.
But prior to delivering the shipment, the Confederate detachment was spotted by a Union patrol and soon after the rebel forces realized that a large force of Union cavalry was bearing down on them.
With few options available to him, Capt. Riley ordered his men to fall back into the infamous Everglades.
To keep the gold out of Union hands, Riley ordered a few of his men to bury the shipment while the rest prepared to make a stand.
As Union troopers approached the rebel line, Capt. Riley ordered his men to “Fire!”
Although the Confederates fought like demons, they soon fell to the superior force.
None survived and the whereabouts of the cache of gold became lost; its location today is still a mystery.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Now there are other variations with dates and places. Here is one of them 1865. Ill have to search for the others.
View attachment 640804

The Randy Sumpter versions: 6-"EVERGLADES....KGC .Captain John Riley trying to ship Confederate gold to Havana in the spring of 1865, was chased into the Everglades by Federal troops. Riley buried $500,000 in gold bullion in west central Broward County.

7-A Confederate paymaster fleeing Federal troops buried $200,000 in gold coins in Hendry County and the area is supposedly between Alligator Alley and State Route 41."

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

From Wikipedia: (February 2007)Confederate gold refers to the hidden caches of gold lost after the American Civil War. Millions of dollars worth of gold was lost or unaccounted for after the civil war and has been the speculation of many historians and treasure hunters. 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.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Some versions have the paymaster headed to Fort Meade or Mead, which was a distributing point for other temporary forts and the beef ranchers. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....rrel/Wash.html


9-"In 1865, Captain John Riley and a detachment of Confederate troops were sent from Kentucky with a half ton of gold bullion to be transported to Fort Mead, Florida, and then on to Havana, Cuba. As Union troops advanced through Florida, the Confederate band fled into the Everglades, buried the gold at the last camping place, and continued their flight.

In September, 1944, it was reported that State Game Officer L. P. Harvey led a small party into the Everglades and located what they believed to have been the last camping place of the Confederates, almost hidden by undergrowth but identified by Confederate relics found there. The site was described as being located at the point of an angle formed by a line 40 miles due west of Ft. Lauderdale, and another line due northwest of the Miami City Hall until it met the first line.

This would place the treasure on a Seminole Indian Reservation in west central Broward County."






Thats 9 different versions. There are more and some versions merge the Treasury gold in with this legend. And the name Reynolds is often used instead of Riley. I may have some information Im holding back but this gives the general idea.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

PUNTA RASSA Punta Rassa - Ghost Town

 

[ECS]

Now there are other variations with dates and places. Here is one of them 1865. Ill have to search for the others.
View attachment 640804

The Randy Sumpter versions: 6-"EVERGLADES....KGC .Captain John Riley trying to ship Confederate gold to Havana in the spring of 1865, was chased into the Everglades by Federal troops. Riley buried $500,000 in gold bullion in west central Broward County.

7-A Confederate paymaster fleeing Federal troops buried $200,000 in gold coins in Hendry County and the area is supposedly between Alligator Alley and State Route 41."

Natural Bridge was the last important Civil War battle fought in Florida.The Confederate forces were made up of wounded soldiers,men as old as 70,and cadets as young as 12 from West Florida Seminary (today's FSU).The battle is considered quite an accomplishment,for the five day battle concluded with the defeat of Union troops by a militia of young boys and old men.
Union loses-21 killed;89 wounded;148 MIA
Confederate losses-3 killed;23 wounded
There is no record of Confederates retreating ,or reason for retreat from this battle.
This appears to be an embellished version to the Everglades gold legend.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Evergladeslostgold.com


More info

Home - Everglades Lost Gold

Hello JW. Im not trying to persuade anyone to invest or not to invest in your venture. I just want to post this link of pictures from an oxcart expedition in 1910. This was the early means of travel in the Everglades. ehumanity Artifact: Expedition's ox cart in the Everglades | They even fastened special muck shoes on the oxen and mules. I have pictures of these shoes that will make you laugh.

Every mention of this treasure legend comes from guess what? Treasure Books and Magazines. There has been much renewed interest on the net since I start this thread and the new TN is getting the word out. But what we need is something much more substantial and that is why I started the thread years ago..