Kentucky is packed with legends of the Civil War including many about lost treasure buried and hidden throughout the state. One of these legends has to do with the tiny town of Pineville. More specifically, the missing treasure in the Cumberland River that runs alongside it.

This charming little town is one that most people just drive by on their way to and from other places. You could walk from one end to the other in about 20 minutes.
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The people in the lovely town of Pineville, Kentucky live their lives not knowing that they are very close to a long-lost treasure that was worth $3 million during the Civil War, which is worth over $72 million today!
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Civil War Paymasters had a very risky job as they carried the pay for the troops and were often a target for bandits and enemy soldiers. A Union Paymaster was being chased by Confederate troops and it is said that he dumped all $3 million in gold and silver bars into the Cumberland River near Pineville rather than let them fall into enemy hands.
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That much money falling into the hands of the Confederate Army may have had disastrous results.

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In 1920, a fisherman discovered a handful of silver bars, which lends credibility to the legend of the missing Civil War payroll. It’s a surprise that the river isn’t being scoured for more!
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Imagine trying for silver perch but getting silver bars instead!
It is thought that there must be many more bars buried under over 160 years of silt, still waiting to be discovered.
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However, the Cumberland River is deep enough that shipping barges traverse it daily. It would take quite an expedition to recover this lost treasure.
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Had you heard about the missing treasure in the Cumberland River near Pineville, Kentucky before? Do you think it’s worth looking for? Let us know in the comments!

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Pineville, KY 40977, USA