Chester, S.C. At the End of the Confederacy-- Part 2: A Railroad Connection and Confederate Treasury

In 1865, with the fall of Columbia, S.C., and destruction of its rail yards, Chester was the  southern-most town that could be reached in the dying Confederacy.  It became a bustling town with an arsenal and four hospitals taking care of wounded soldiers coming in almost daily by train.  Many died and were buried in nearby cemeteries, most notably Evergreen.

In March and April, there was a huge influx of refugees.

On April 13, 1865, Chesterville's Southern railroad Station (on Lancaster Street) became the end of the line for the Confederate treasury train from Richmond.

Boxes of gold and silver, guarded by the midshipmen of the Confederate States Naval Academy and others were then loaded onto wagons and shipped south.

--Old Secesh

About Those Gold Bars in Pennsylvania

Last month, March 28, I wrote about people looking for buried gold bars in Pennsylvania while the FBI keeps an eye on them.  Some more information:

It is thought to be between 26 to 52 gold bars, worth between $27 million and $55 million today.

They are believed to be buried at Dents Run, about 135 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  They were en route from Wheeling, West Virginia to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.  It was lost around the time of the Battle of Gettysburg.

But, historians are skeptical of the story.  Most believe it to be just a 155-year-old legend.

--Old SecGold

Hunt for Buried Civil War Gold in Pennsylvania

From the March 17, 2018, Aol  "The FBI is overseeing a hunt for buried Civil War gold in Pennsylvania"  Jake Jones.

In Pennsylvania, a treasure hunting group called Finders Keepers are excavating a site in Elk County where there is a legend that 26 gold bars were lost by Union forces in 1863 when the convoy was ambushed and the gold buried.

This "stash" would be worth $27 million in today's money.  The treasure-hunters are accompanied by the FBI and the Department of Conservation and Natural resources.

--Old Secesh