In Dec. 1862 Gen. Nathan Forrest crossed over the Tenn. River on his way to Jackson, Tn. to disrupt the Union
supply route by destroying RR tracks in that city. On his way he encountered the Union forces at Parkers Crossroads, after a brief battle in which history has decided victory went to the Confederates, Forrest went south through Lexington on his way to Jackson and was engaged in a brief skirmish there, once again heading west to jackson, after destroying the tracks, taking prisoners etc. He headed back through Lexington heading for the Tenn. River once more. Hearing that Forrest was returning to Lexington the Union Commander did not
think he could win a battle with Forrest decided to retreat, however the Union forces had in their over a
million dollars in gold with them at the time. Realizing he could not out run Forrest while carrying two wagons
loaded with gold he decided to bury it and come back after Forrest had left the area. This was around Dec. 31st 1862. The gold was buried somewhere along Owl Creek in Lexington, Tn. ( now rt. 412E, east of Lexington).
That unit from the Union Forces never made it back to reclaim the gold. Several Union soldiers returned after the war to try and find the buried payroll with no luck, several expeditions have been made to this site over the years and so far nothing has been found. Side note: prior to the battle at Parkers Crossroads, the Union Commander had all the gold, money etc. buried at that time totaling several hundred dollars that also has for one reason or another never been recovered either. HH Bob.B
supply route by destroying RR tracks in that city. On his way he encountered the Union forces at Parkers Crossroads, after a brief battle in which history has decided victory went to the Confederates, Forrest went south through Lexington on his way to Jackson and was engaged in a brief skirmish there, once again heading west to jackson, after destroying the tracks, taking prisoners etc. He headed back through Lexington heading for the Tenn. River once more. Hearing that Forrest was returning to Lexington the Union Commander did not
think he could win a battle with Forrest decided to retreat, however the Union forces had in their over a
million dollars in gold with them at the time. Realizing he could not out run Forrest while carrying two wagons
loaded with gold he decided to bury it and come back after Forrest had left the area. This was around Dec. 31st 1862. The gold was buried somewhere along Owl Creek in Lexington, Tn. ( now rt. 412E, east of Lexington).
That unit from the Union Forces never made it back to reclaim the gold. Several Union soldiers returned after the war to try and find the buried payroll with no luck, several expeditions have been made to this site over the years and so far nothing has been found. Side note: prior to the battle at Parkers Crossroads, the Union Commander had all the gold, money etc. buried at that time totaling several hundred dollars that also has for one reason or another never been recovered either. HH Bob.B
Amazon Forum Fav 👍
Upvote
0