The Civil War Gold Doomed by a Curse The legend of the Civil War Gold has long fascinated treasure hunters and history buffs alike. According to the tale, during the final days of the American Civil War, a train carrying a massive fortune in gold bullion was en route to the North. However, the train mysteriously disappeared, and the gold was never recovered. Over the years, countless individuals have searched for the lost gold, driven by the promise of unimaginable wealth. Yet, despite their efforts, the treasure has eluded all who have sought it. Many believe that the reason for this lies in a curse that befell the stolen gold.
That may sound farfetched, but the practice was apparently common. As a WZZM feature on Frederick J. Monroe and Kevin Dykstra, The Curse of Civil War Gold‘s two treasure hunting stars, put it, “It is fact that in the late 1800s boxcars were shoved off ferries into Lake Michigan to lighten the load during bad weather.”
Confederate President Jefferson Davis allegedly had a considerable amount of gold, silver, and other coins with him when he and the rest of his government took off from Richmond by train on the night of April 2nd, 1865. A Civil War-era treasure of more than 700 gold coins was unearthed in a Kentucky cornfield, a find that has at least partly vindicated legends of lost Civil War gold that have driven American treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Many believe that the reason for this lies in a curse that befell the stolen gold. Legend has it that a Confederate soldier, outraged by the theft of the gold, placed a curse upon it, vowing that it would never bring prosperity to those who possessed it. Supposedly, the curse brings misfortune and death upon anyone who attempts to claim the treasure.
The Curse of Civil War Gold Dives to New Depths
The Curse of Civil War Gold dives to new depths in the season finale, "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Overboard." Photo Courtesy: History.
All that glitters is not gold, as big discoveries are found and the race against time and foul weather close out Season 2 of The Curse of Civil War Gold.
Unfortunately, the discoveries aren’t always full of good news, but that’s to be expected whenever watching treasure-hunting reality shows like Civil War Gold, The Curse of Oak Island and Lost Gold of World War II.
After eight years of research, all clues have led Kevin Dykstra and his team to a certain set of GPS coordinates that point to the bottom of Lake Michigan, but in the season finale, “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Overboard,” the crew brings in professional divers John Chatterton and Howard Ehrenberg to get to the bottom of it all. After searching an area covering roughly 31,000 square feet, they finally found what they were looking for… except it was only fool’s gold. More than a mile from shore, the divers actually found gold-painted bricks underwater — not bars of solid gold — which brings up so many unanswered questions.
Is there really a treasure-hunting rival out there, somewhere, who wants to pull the team off the correct trail in order to find the loot themselves? Did the team create unknown enemies by revealing a possible conspiracy that goes back all the way to the U.S. Civil War? Perhaps the treasure was found years ago and was replaced? Maybe it was all a hoax?
Such is the dilemma when watching reality TV. You never quite know what is “true” and what is staged. I mean, this is supposed to be real history we’re dealing with, right?
Regardless, the search goes on for the team, but much like Oak Island, it feels like circumstantial evidence is the only thing that’s ever revealed. And when there’s some sort of sonar and photographic evidence, it’s then discovered the team’s GPS coordinates were not entirely accurate, taking the divers to a totally different location. Until something is actually recovered, shows like this are all about the journey and less about answering an unsolved mystery. But History sure has cashed in on the process.
Naturally, at the conclusion of the episode, the crew has FINALLY received their permit from the Army Corps of Civil Engineers to excavate underwater, although bad weather will force the team to wait until next year to use it. To be continued in Season 3.
So, where are we, as Civil War Gold wraps up Season 2? Not all the dots are connected as more data is needed to complete multiple storylines that may or may not lead to a long-lost treasure. Secrets are seemingly still being guarded and sabotage could be a possibility (or at least that’s what the network wants you to think) when dealing with a $140 million prize that could be waiting out there for someone to find. And just when the team thinks they’re getting closer to the truth, they can’t pinpoint the exact area they just visited the previous day. But what if the 100-year-old deathbed confession was never actually real? That’s a lot of drama.
With two seasons of evidence gathering under their belts, Dykstra and his team can thank History for its endless repeats on basic cable to rouse up interest, even if it has led to some resistance to uncovering the truth. Honestly, I may be more interested in the actual backstories and conspiracy theories than the team actually finding the treasure. I suppose I can look forward to next season to get more of each element, as the story continues to unfold.
Ash and Matt
Zombies in My Blog covers everything in Geek and Pop Culture.
Such is the dilemma when watching reality TV. You never quite know what is “true” and what is staged. I mean, this is supposed to be real history we’re dealing with, right?
Numerous expeditions have been launched to find the lost gold, but they have invariably ended in failure or tragedy. Some treasure hunters have mysteriously vanished without a trace, while others have met with fatal accidents or suffered from unexplained illnesses. It seems that the curse is real, and it continues to haunt those who dare to search for the fabled Civil War Gold. The curse has also taken a toll on the lives of those tangentially involved with the treasure hunt. Many individuals who have become obsessed with the legend have experienced personal and financial ruin. Relationships have crumbled, businesses have failed, and lives have been destroyed. This curse seems to extend beyond the confines of the lost gold itself, affecting anyone who becomes entangled in its web. While some skeptics dismiss the curse as mere superstition, the sheer number of strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena associated with the treasure hunt cannot be discounted. It is as if a dark force surrounds the Civil War Gold, determined to ensure that it remains forever hidden. Ultimately, the curse of the Civil War Gold serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of obsession and greed. It warns against the pursuit of material wealth at all costs, emphasizing the importance of integrity and moral values. Perhaps, in the end, the lost gold was never meant to be found - a reminder that some treasures are better left buried in the annals of history..
Reviews for "The Haunted History of the Civil War Gold's Curse"
1. John - 1 star
I was really excited to watch "The civil war gold doomed by a curse" as I am interested in history and treasure hunting. However, I was sorely disappointed. The show was filled with unnecessary drama and fabricated storylines. It felt more like a reality TV show than a historical documentary. The host's constant attempts to create suspense felt forced and inauthentic. Overall, it was a huge letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a genuine exploration of the civil war gold.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The civil war gold doomed by a curse" had an intriguing premise, but the execution left a lot to be desired. The show lacked depth and failed to provide substantial evidence for its claims. The theories presented seemed far-fetched and lacked historical context. Additionally, the pacing of the episodes was inconsistent, with long periods of repetitive dialogue and filler content. I was hoping for a thought-provoking series about an interesting historical event, but sadly, this show missed the mark.
3. Mark - 2 stars
As an avid fan of treasure hunting shows, I was excited to watch "The civil war gold doomed by a curse." However, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The show seemed more focused on creating drama and conflicts among the cast members rather than providing substantial information about the civil war gold. The constant bickering and exaggerated reactions took away from the overall experience. I would have preferred a more factual and objective approach to the subject rather than the sensationalized version presented in this series.
4. Emily - 1 star
"The civil war gold doomed by a curse" was one of the most disappointing shows I've seen in a long time. The episodes were filled with exaggerated claims, unreliable sources, and over-the-top acting. It felt like a desperate attempt to keep viewers engaged by manufacturing unnecessary conflicts and twists. The lack of historical accuracy and evidence was frustrating, and it undermined the credibility of the whole show. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this poorly executed and sensationalized series.