The Confederate Treasure Train

Oconee’s Gold and Silver Fortune?

Treasure can sparkle like diamonds and gems. It can shine like gold and silver. It is everyone’s dream to discover a hidden chest filled with coins from days gone by and it’s possible that such a treasure exists right here in Greene County, just waiting to be found…..
 
In the desperate days near the end of the Civil War, the last cabinet meeting of the Confederacy was held by Jefferson Davis in nearby Washington, GA, at the home of his close friend General Toombs. Legend has it that at the same time, a small group of Confederate Cavalrymen were detailed to drive the treasury of the Confederate States of America from Richmond, VA thru Nashville, TN and on to Washington, GA.
 
When they arrived in Wilkes County, the kegs of gold and silver were unloaded from the wagon and set to “rest” in the Bank of Washington for a day or two, while the Cabinet met. However, President Davis learned that the Yankees were in hot pursuit and knew he must leave quickly by a little traveled route. The group loaded the cache onto the wagon and made a swift getaway south, passing through Greensboro in the direction of the Oconee River at Parks Ferry. Mr. Davis accompanied the group in disguise but the Yankees were so relentless that the party split up. The wagon turned into the woods near the Oconee River where it is said that the Cavalrymen buried the treasure, burned the wagon, and fled.
 
Jefferson Davis was arrested by the Yankees a few days later in Irwinsville, but the gold & silver were never recovered. Some say that the treasure never left Washington, GA but Wilkes County residents for years have resented such an implication. And so, if the Confederate Treasure Train did make its way to Greene County, there could be a gold & silver fortune waiting to be discovered along the banks of the Oconee.