Cottonwood Plantation Confederate Treasury

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Cottonwood Plantation Confederate Treasury

Lost Treasure FL • Levy / Alachua County County
Description
Archer-area legend of unrecovered Confederate treasury gold hidden at Senator David Levy Yulee's Cottonwood plantation after Jefferson Davis's capture ended hopes of reaching the Bahamas.
Historical Notes
David Levy Yulee built Florida's first cross-state railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key, passing his Archer farm called Cottonwood. In May 1865 treasury escorts arrived with Davis documents and gold while the senator was absent. Mrs. Yulee received chests and bags overnight; by morning Senator Yulee advised the men to seek paroles. Captain O. E. Bryant's Union cavalry seized wagons on May 24 but reported no gold — only Davis's French musket from Mrs. Yulee. Historians debate how much bullion was dispersed versus buried on the plantation grounds along the rail line.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

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