Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-03-18

into the ground In 1716 booths were erected
on the Thames In 1744 and 1745 the strong
est ale in England, exposed to the air, was
covered, in less than fifteen minutes, with ice
an eighth of an inch thick. In 1909 and
again in 1912 the winters we're remarkably
cold. In 1914 there was fair on the frozen
Thames.
From the Atlanta Constitution.
THE CONFEDERATE TREASURY.
What Became of it when Lee Surrendered.
Brooks COUNTY, Ga, Feb. 15, 1875.
Col. E. Y. Clark, atlanta, Ga.:
DEAR COLONEL see from Sacramento
(Cal.) paper an account OF story concerning
the purported robbery of the Confederate
treasury, and give as near correct account
of all the facts connected with the gold and
silver, so much talked about, as my memory
will permit. belonged to Gen. Vaug hn's
brigade When the President, his
Cabinet and general officers, then in consul
tation near the Savannah river, agreed to d.
vide out the money on hand to the noble
little army that was willing to follow Davis
their great leader-to the last ditch beyond
the Mississippi, and even fortify on the west
bank of the Rio Grande river, off the Mexl-
can line, the amount Of Confederate money,
after sending several thousands to Augusta to
be expended for the use and benefit Of our
sick and wounded soldiers, amounted to lit
tie over 100000. All the officers and troops
present received $2S.25 each, in gold and
silver. The Virginia bank funds were turned
over, and were, all the time, in charge of their
own bank officers. They were carried to
Washington, Wilkes county, some fifteen or
twenty miles, by their officers, and there de-
posted for safe.keeping-I would guess some.
thing over $4O0,00O President Davis and
his Cabinet then struck out for parts un.
known.
General Vaughn, being our senior com.
mander, received orders from the proper otti-
Ger to make the best terms of surrender with
General Upton, then in command OF the
United States forces, with headquarters at
Augusta, and on the 18th day of May, 1860,
the whole command surrendered.
After things around Washington, Ga, got
quiet, the Virginia bank officers procured a
permit from the Federal commander to take
back to Virginia the bank funds with asmall
guard and four or FIVE wagons. The first
night they encamped at the house of the widow
where the Confederate gold had been divided,
near which number Of Vaughn's soldiers
fingered, afraid to return to their homes.
News soon spread in the neighborhood of the
arrival and camping of the train. Fourteen
of the Tennessee boys and one Alabama boy
from Johnston's army were soon mounted,
dressed, some of them, with blue Yankee
coats. Vaughn's command we're generally
clothed with Yankee uniforms. The little
company moved up in military style, an ex-
captain in command. They demanded, in
the name of the United States Government,
the surrender of the funds, claiming (and per-
haps believing) them to be Confederate funds
still, the officer giving his name as Col. Brown
low, of Gen. Gillem's or Stonemans command.
The parties in charge Of the GOLD surrendered
without firing shot. All the men were
placed under guard, marched off some dis
tance, and placed in charge of a small force.
The balance took possession Of the treasury
and broke open keg after keg and box after
box. When they found one containing silver
coin they passed it by; but when one contain
ed the yellow eagles they appropriated them
until all we're satisfied. Then the guard was
relieved and the others filled their sacks.
Then they left the bank officers looking and
feeling very blue, and believing they had been
handled by some others, not Col. Brownlow's
command, with orders from Gen. Glllem, al
though Gen. Gilem's command had, short
time before, robbed citizen on the South
Carolina side Of some 100000 in gold, belong
ing to some minor heirs in or near Abbeville,
S. c., and large amount at Greenville, s. o.,
belon gipg to South Carolina bank.
A lieutenant and his squad, at the time,
we're met by some of Vaughn's men, and were
charged and put to rout, some of them cap
tured, and on them were found fourteen
watches and other valuable property taken
from citizens. The Confederate squad under
"Col. Brownlow," left with their gold tied up
in corn sacks and blankets-some ofthe boys
took off their pants and drawers and tied it up
in the legs-some of them took whole boxes
unbroken. They, as soon as out of sight, dis,
banded and each one went his own way, and
to dispose of his own treasure, hiding it in fence
corners, in the swamp and old fields. When
done, each one repaired to his home, or to
where they were boarding, except three, who
we're more judicious. These three had added
to their number one other, and their gold was
divided and, not being able to carry all, one
box was thrown in the run Of branch under
bridge. The box had not been opened, the
party believing it contained only $1,000 IN
silver, but the men who got it out told the
writer it contained over 81 1000 in gold. 1t
was divided among three outsiders, who were
relations in part to the three men who placed
it there. and described the place by maps and
instructions.
Afterward, some two days or more, the wr.
ter went with some Of the same party and
others with the same map, and hunted over
the same ground. The whole face ofthe coun.
try had been scratched and dug up, but still
we found few silver quarters in the brush,
and an empty box near pond. The pond
was secured and scraped, and in it an old
wheat sack was found with $500 or $500 in
silver. 1t was considered free property and
divided out.
But let US 60 back to the next morning
after the robbery. The bankers offered re-
ward, I believe, of $4,000. All Georgia
around, in reach, was up and hunting.
"Brownlows" men. all sleeping or listening,
to the hubbub and excitement going on, old
muskets, revolvers, &C., were brought in. No
clue could be given as to the ones who had
carried off the spoils until the Alabama boy
decided that it was not provident to 60 to the
old field gully and get his spoils, took gold
piece or two, 1 believe two $40 and few
Silver quarters, shouldered his knapsack and
struck bee.line for home, intending to return
soon, after all the excitement would die out,
and claim his gold. On he tramped, thinking
of home. sweet home, and dear ones in Ala.