The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-01
lost CONFEDERATE GOLD.
A Graphic Story of Stolen Treasure
interestingly Retold.
The Midnight Attack on the Wagon Train
and How 1t Was Captured-State-
ment by an Eyewitness.
popburr tGo.) Letter in Atlanta Constitution.

large sum of confederate gold, these state
ments being made by Gen. P. W. A. He
then goes on to state that the wagons con-
tanning the treasure appeared at Danburg
Ca, in June, 1865 having come from the
direction of Washington, Ca, and going in
the direction of Petersburg, Ga, and Able
vile, S. @. The party in charge of the
wagons numbered about twenty men, and
they camped for the night about five miles
from Danburg, near the house of a Mrs
Susan Moss. A good many of the members
were scattered through the neighborhood
and living with different families. The
negroes were not insulting the Yankees
not troublesome and we thought we were
doing finely under the circumstances. Some
of Vaughn's men, who were staying in the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were afraid to go back
to Tennessee, where their homes were-on
the Washington and Abbeville road saw the
wagon train pass on, and thrill of delight
passed over them. Couriers were going in
every direction, and by o'clock there was a
band of soldiers ready and equipped to
,5ounce upon the confederate gold. TIL ere
were but few of them, all told, but just such
as would do their work we'll
Accordingly, about 10 o'clock, the squad
charged headed by Captain NJ, dressed in
Yankee uniform, upon the escort of the
wagons, and captured them, without firing a
pistol or gun. They took the guard little
way of, put them in the corner of the
fence and left them with two or three men,
to keep them quiet The others proceeded to
break open the boxes of gold and silver
Then. there was wild work. Bags of gold
were held on high and cheer after cheer,
such as none other than confederates could
give. went up for Jeff. Davis which made the
welkin ring. In few moments the ground
around seemed studded with diamonds, for
the gold eagles and 500 gold pieces almost
covered the ground, and silver dollars, halves,
quarters and dimes seemed like so many
gems set around the diamonds All night
long the work of hiding went on, and only
the gray dawn drove these happy fellows to
their homes. Just before day the captain
ordered Turn these muffled fellows loose;
they have behaved so well, let them have a
chance at the gleanlngs. HE to your places,
my boys, and farewell, for l never expect to
see we all again" Not one could
tell next morning how much he was
worth. Some thought they were million
aires, and their fancy was nndisturbed until
they were told that horse could not stand
up under $4,000 gold dollars. One fellow
said ne was galloping along, when his horse
fell under his load and and burst his sack
The silver poured out, and put him in mind
of milk as it spread over the ground. The
whole earth seemed covered with silver as it
glistened in the moonshine. He said lie
could but curse little to think he had got
almost all silver instead of gold.
Everything seemed quiet Council was
we'll kept and but for one little untoward
circumstance the whole thing would have
been a mystery, There happened to be a
young soldier by the name OF Mcbride, who
was sick and left or lotered behind the retlr-
ing army. He arrived in the neighborhood
of Mrs Mosss on that eventful night, and
was taken into the charge. Next morning
after Mcbride had hid his prize and fastened
a few dollars in his waistband, he resumed
his journey toward his home in Mississippi
As he was passing through the village of
Danburg his attention was caught by the
word saloon" over shop door He enter
ed the shop, and the trap was sprung which
was to catch the whole crowd. Before he
left he bought a cake and threw down a
bright silver quarter and went on. About
II o clock the same day the ubiquitous Wise
acre appeared in the streets of Danburg
The saloon" man and another conscript
drew near to Wiseacre who was sitting on
his horse. He told them what was up. He
said he would give $1,000 to any one who
would start him on the track of those per-
sons who robbed the wagon-train The eau
Gus was short, for, quick as thought, the cry
was, Where is that youEg soldier who passed
through here this morning?' The two pur-
suers pressed hard behind, and hove in sight
of ,he pursued about three miles from Wash
in ton, and charged down upon him like two
N Admen, as one of them was, indeed. Nc
Bride, under the threat of mprisoment, told
where he had hidden his gold, and also where
several of his associates in the affair were
living.
THE HUNT FOR BURIED TREASURE.
On Monday, after the arrest of Mcbride
on Saturday, 1 went to spend the night with
friend of mine. had not heard a word of
the gold transaction. About midnight some
enc called at the gate very hurriedly. My
friend came to my bedside soon after, and
told me to get up and come down stairs as
quietly as 1 could. l sprang from the bed
and put on my clothes quickly. Our horses
were caught by the time we got to the gate
Mine host was in the saddle and told us to
mount quickly. We had ridden few hun
dred yards when 1 asked, What is up?'
Our leader told us there was crowd of men
at his brothers., from Washington and Dan
burg, arresting all the soldiers of Vaughn's
brigade who were thought to be implicated
in the robbing of the confederate treasury
and his brother had sent for us. The crowd
had come there and was troubling his
family, at the dead hour of night and with
out any authority, and only because there
were some Tennessee soldiers staying with
him. We had reached within a short dis
lance of the house to which we were going
when we were met by some one. Twas
dark, and could not tell who it was But
after short parley with the crowd in front
/ learned that the crowd who were arrest
ing the robbers as they called them, wanted
me to head the crowd and get up the money
and | would get goodly share. 1 drew my
horse around, remarked: Never. Before 1
will do so dastardly an act as to arrest con-
federate soldier for nothing, I'll see my throat