Confederate Money

[SSlater]

I have been interested in what became of the Confederate treasury, but never had time to research. So, I finally got started. I have read several reports on this issue, but I can't believe what I read. No two stories agree. Also, no one attempts to tell us "How much money are we talking about.?" I did read that Davis gathered up all the Rebel money available and added all the money deposited in Richmond Banks - and took off, headed South. Most stories agree that he wanted to gather whatever he could find and continue the war in Texas. No need to tell you he never made it.
As a starting point I am using an article published by Robert Stuart Davis. He was (Maybe "is") a Professor at Wallace State College in Henceville, Alabama. He first published in 2002, in the Georgia Historical Quarterly.
He describes events in detail saying how people stole money and then had that money stolen from them. Some money was used to make a get-away, and some was used to pay the troops that escorted them and yet it seems there was a lot left over. I question whether it was "Confederate Money". What good was "Confederate Money" after the surrender? That was when it was called "SHINPLASTERS".
Was it "Gold Dust"? Was it U.S. Dollars? Was it "Pounds'? Francs? Lira, Pesos? (or "Things" of value?
Mr Davis (The Author) says it was MILLIONS. But never set a fixed amount. He offers 30 footnotes to support his claims. (That I have yet to read). How much did Thompson have in Canada? How much did Rev. Cameron carry to England? (None of these amounts were included in Jeff Davis' bundle. Benjamin Judah had a "wad" set aside for HIMSELF!
The "South' was never known to be a "Rich" country. Where did all this cash come from -if it ever existed.?
I need to study some more. I want to prove - what I say, or disprove it - if suitable. Author Davis makes one statement that is "different"- He says that the U.S. Government was the biggest thief of them all.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO-AT ALL- PLEASE JOT IT DOWN and Post it here. We won't finish this theme in ONE month - it will take us time, but lets get on with it - together.

[LincolnMan]

Interesting subject for sure. Keep digging for the gold!

[L Verge]

(05-06-2017 09:40 PM)SSlater Wrote:  I have been interested in what became of the Confederate treasury, but never had time to research. So, I finally got started. I have read several reports on this issue, but I can't believe what I read. No two stories agree. Also, no one attempts to tell us "How much money are we talking about.?" I did read that Davis gathered up all the Rebel money available and added all the money deposited in Richmond Banks - and took off, headed South. Most stories agree that he wanted to gather whatever he could find and continue the war in Texas. No need to tell you he never made it.
As a starting point I am using an article published by Robert Stuart Davis. He was (Maybe "is") a Professor at Wallace State College in Henceville, Alabama. He first published in 2002, in the Georgia Historical Quarterly.
He describes events in detail saying how people stole money and then had that money stolen from them. Some money was used to make a get-away, and some was used to pay the troops that escorted them and yet it seems there was a lot left over. I question whether it was "Confederate Money". What good was "Confederate Money" after the surrender? That was when it was called "SHINPLASTERS".
Was it "Gold Dust"? Was it U.S. Dollars? Was it "Pounds'? Francs? Lira, Pesos? (or "Things" of value?
Mr Davis (The Author) says it was MILLIONS. But never set a fixed amount. He offers 30 footnotes to support his claims. (That I have yet to read). How much did Thompson have in Canada? How much did Rev. Cameron carry to England? (None of these amounts were included in Jeff Davis' bundle. Benjamin Judah had a "wad" set aside for HIMSELF!
The "South' was never known to be a "Rich" country. Where did all this cash come from -if it ever existed.?
I need to study some more. I want to prove - what I say, or disprove it - if suitable. Author Davis makes one statement that is "different"- He says that the U.S. Government was the biggest thief of them all.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO-AT ALL- PLEASE JOT IT DOWN and Post it here. We won't finish this theme in ONE month - it will take us time, but lets get on with it - together.

Over the years, I have worked with a number of people following that gold. The most reliable researcher (who has never published) in my opinion is Mark Waters of Washington, Beorgia (he retired there about 15 years ago after serving as the head of NOAA here in DC). I hope I still have his contact info. That Georgia town should sound familiar to those of you who have read about the gold.

Wild Bill may have dealt with some of these theories also because some of the supposed trails lead out west.

[smbovard]

A bit off topic but perhaps as a point of interest; Longstreet in "Manassas to Appomattox" notes the following:

"Soon after General Lee's return ride (from meeting Grant) his chief of ordnance reported a large amount of United States currency in his possession. In doubt as to the proper disposition of the funds, General Lee sent the officer to ask my opinion. As it was not known or included in the conditions of capitulation, and was due and ten times more to the faithful troops, I suggested a pro-rata distribution of it. The officer afterwards brought three hundred dollars as my part." Longstreet goes on to say that he kept a hundred and gave the rest to men in Fields's division that were the most distant from their homes.

[L Verge]

(05-07-2017 04:35 PM)smbovard Wrote:  A bit off topic but perhaps as a point of interest; Longstreet in "Manassas to Appomattox" notes the following:

"Soon after General Lee's return ride (from meeting Grant) his chief of ordnance reported a large amount of United States currency in his possession. In doubt as to the proper disposition of the funds, General Lee sent the officer to ask my opinion. As it was not known or included in the conditions of capitulation, and was due and ten times more to the faithful troops, I suggested a pro-rata distribution of it. The officer afterwards brought three hundred dollars as my part." Longstreet goes on to say that he kept a hundred and gave the rest to men in Fields's division that were the most distant from their homes.

How did Lee's chief of ordnance "happen upon" such a large amount of U.S. funds?

[JMadonna]

(05-07-2017 05:30 PM)L Verge Wrote:  How did Lee's chief of ordnance "happen upon" such a large amount of U.S. funds?

Jubal Early was a notorious plunderer - My guess is he turned over the booty from his raids to Lee on his return from the North.