PART THREE
Vicksburg, MS
November 1, 1962
The next day at the state archives in Baton Rouge Cyfer and Sue went though the all records the archivist had. Mainly old muster rolls and other bits and pieces that defined the life of the soldiers that defended the Confederate States of America
Piling through boxes of old musty records Cyfer looked quite cheerful. "I found a box full of General Pemberton's records. Things are looking up!" she exclaimed.
"Pay records, equipment lists… Ahh, general standing orders. This is good," said Sue pulling out the old smelly papers that had been sealed with red ribbon.
"Do you think he has copies of all of them?" asked Cyfer.
"If he's a good bureaucrat he has them. OK, take a pile and sort through them. Let me know if you find anything with the good Captain's name on it, Cyfer." Sue started sorting with a big grin on her face. Nothing suited her better than a mystery just waiting to be solved.
Searching through months of orders for a demoralized and yet dedicated army, they were getting a good lesson in how to run an insurrection, circa 1863. Food and ammunition were in short supply. The Union forces continually bombarded the town from the river and from the hills surrounding Vicksburg. Times were tough, but General Pemberton was showing that he was tougher.
"Lookee what we have here," cried out Sue waving piece of old yellowed paper in the air. "General Pemberton is telling his subordinates to move the gold reserves of the Mount Zion Bank of Vicksburg to the Confederate Army headquarters in southern Mississippi. But this order is going to some outfit that was not associated with the ghostly Captain. They were to move this stuff out without any delay and by any means possible to the get it though enemy lines," Sue read.
"Wait one southern fried minute. This is two weeks before the Captain died. This is significant since he was following up on a previous order. How were they going to move it though the Union lines?" Cyfer's forehead furrowed in thought.
"Let me think. I saw something earlier about that outfit. Here. On the south end of the Vicksburg near the Dreamy Pass. The Confederates were trying something incredible. Tunneling under the Union lines," said Sue. "Here is the order. I don't know whether the whole Army was going to try and escape that way or not, but it could be used to ship put the gold bullion."
"And that's the direction they wanted to move the gold. How else might they have done it?" asked Cyfer.
"Oh, flag of truce, medical emergency, phony uniforms, spy type deceptions," replied Sue. "Still that would be a heavy load to slip by with any stealth. The tunnel sounds like a pretty good idea."
"Keep digging." said Cyfer. "There has to be more to this puzzle!"
Working most of that day and approaching closing time, Cyfer was looking through the pile of the old pen and ink handwriting. Several times they found mention of Captain Clements, but not on the orders they were looking for. Finally she found the right order. "Bingo! Order directing Captain Clements to take charge of the bullion move. Seems the gold did get moved to the tunnel south of town. Good guess. We were right. It says that the gold bullion had been moved to the front too quickly and that it was hidden in an antechamber. The tunnel still needed to be completed. The General had entrusted him to finish the job. And he didn't."
"Viola, we have ID'd the trouble of this restless spirit and we have a good probable solution," said Sue with an excited twinkle in her eye.
"So we need to find 12 tons of gold, finish a tunnel started a hundred years ago and move it to an army camp that doesn't exist anymore?" Cyfer's eyes glazed with the thought.
"Simpler than that. We find the gold that he had been entrusted with and see if it's still there. And then find it's rightful owner," replied Sue cheerily.
"Wait, this gold belonged to a country that doesn't exist. I'm not up on my lost and found law, but who's land is it on might be a factor or it might belong to the US or Mississippi government. There certainly should be a finder's fee, I would think. Nine million dollars in gold at ten percent. Not a little amount," said Cyfer.
"Let's not count our chickens too early. Go ask the archivist to see some maps of the battlefield. He has got to know where that tunnels is." The excitement of the adventure filled Sue's quivering voice.
Wandering the ancient trenches in Vicksburg National Battlefield with a map copied from the archivist they found the opening they were looking for. Locked and sealed it still existed after a century of weather, wind and tourists.
"Dead end. Darn it." CeCe's disappointment was clear in her voice. She squeezed Sam's hand and got a reassuring smile from him in return.
"Not necessary. That old lock isn't that tough," said Sue as she pulled out a small tool set. "Stand by and watch out for me."
"Where did you learn that?" asked Cyfer looking a little worried at her sister with the not so law-abiding mind.
"Lots of talents I picked up when we started our little detective agency. Keep an eye on the trench for the authorities. A little to the left, to the right and eureka!" It partially opened by itself. She pulled on the ancient lock and removed it. The gate was rusty, but it did open a bit creaking loudly. "Who's first?"
CeCe grabbed a flashlight and peered into the darkness. It looked damp with roots growing through the ceiling and a floor littered with mud and decaying plant life. "It looks passable. The map says that its 700 yards long. No telling where the anteroom is."
"So keep your eyes open. We'll need all of us watching our fronts and backs," suggested Sue as she followed Sam and CeCe.
"Sure," said Sam who indicated to Al to watch from there.
"No problem, Sam. I'll keep the getaway car warmed up," quipped Al.
"Remember this could be twenty years in the federal pen for trespass and theft," said Cyfer who brought up the rear.
"Yeah, but it's one hell of a find, if it's there. And we can settle our ghost friend and finish our case," replied Sue. And hopefully get paid! was her second thought.
"Not a bad finish. Keep moving everyone." CeCe's voice was muffled from being in front.
For such an old manmade tunnel, it was in surprisingly good shape. The old clay walls had held up and the water was not too deep. Still the possibility of a cave-in did persist and Sam didn't think that either their ghostly friend or Al could help them out if that occurred.
"Nothing yet. Tunnel is straight as an arrow. We sure got around General Grant with this,"
CeCe called back to her sisters. "Stay close, Stony."
"I thought we had northern blood in us," called up sister Sue while watching the ceiling very carefully.
"Hey, after reading that archive junk for a couple of two days I'm ready to put on a hoop skirt and go to town to send the troops off to fight for the stars and bars," quipped Cyfer.
"And maybe accidentally bump into that handsome Captain Clements. He is so dreamy! And so is the rest of his family." CeCe squeezed Sam's hand. "Watch your step in that deep spot in the tunnel. I just stepped into the mucky water up to my knees. Wait! What have we here?" She found an opening partially covered in old wooden planks that were falling apart: The remains of a boarded up entrance.
Sam joined her and helped pull away the last boards. Some of them practically disintegrated in the damp tunnel. CeCe showed her flashlight into the hollowed out chamber and they saw several wooden boxes that must have been very heavy, as they had sunk deep into the dirt floor.
"I'm taking a good look," said CeCe as she started to climb in.
"Easy. That ceiling doesn't look too steady. Let me do it," said Sam. He carefully pulled himself halfway into the very small room. The ceiling was much lower and the dampness was much more apparent. Crawling to the first chest proved to be physically challenging and he huffed, puffed and then coughed due to the damp air. When he reached a box, he tried to pull it towards him and grunted with the effort. It didn't budge. With one more yank, the old wooden box fell apart and out popped two shiny gold bars.
Sam gasped at the find. "I found it. I ACTUALLY FOUND IT!" yelled Sam to the cheers of the three ladies.
"WHAT? You're kidding!" Al popped in next to him, his lower legs disappearing into the mud.
"We have.. um.. We have what looks like tons of gold in here. Several boxes full of it. Millions of dollars of Confederate gold!" Sam's heart was pounding.
"Grab a few of them. I hear someone coming," called Sue from the back of the line.
Al popped out of sight, but came right back. "She's right. Two Park Rangers with their .38 specials drawn."
"We'll pull you in. Hurry up!" CeCe and Cyfer each pulled a leg and dragged Sam through the wooden doorway. He hit his head on the boards as the ancient wooden crashed to splinters.
"Uff," cried Sam. He rubbed his head and gave each sister one bar of gold.
"Oh Stony. Are you OK?" CeCe cooed, rubbing the dirty spot on the back of his head.
"Yeah sure. Just watch out for those boards. They're harder than you expect. Ow, that smarts." CeCe moved closer to him.
The hollow footsteps echoing down the tunnel came closer. "Who's there?" someone called out in the darkness. "You are trespassing on government property!"
"Wait till you see what we found!" cried out an excited CeCe. Cyfer gave her a dirty look in the dull light.
Two Park Rangers in brown uniforms leaned into the low tunnel. "That lock was picked like a pro. Stealing artifacts from a government historical site is a serious federal crime. You could do some hard time."
"Well," popped up Sue. "We're doing some historical research searching through some old Confederate records. And our instincts were right. We came up with this," she said showing them a gold bar. "The lost treasury of the Confederacy!"
"Great lord o' mighty. That can't be. Pure gold?" he called out.
The second Park Ranger put down his gun and shook his head. "We always thought that was at best a legend and at worst a hoax."
"No hoax. It came from the old CS of A treasury. See the bank mark," she said shining a light on it.
"We're no grave robbers," piped in Cyfer trying to defend her sisters. "Just glad the law is here so we can help preserve it."
"No one is planning on stealing it even though we don't know who the rightful owners are," said Sam.
"And once it makes the papers I think a picked lock and a little trespassing will be over looked. Besides, this is one big historical find. There must be millions here," said Sue indicating the anteroom.
The Park Ranger thought for a moment "The gold belongs to the government. Maybe federal or maybe the state of Mississippi. Private individuals aren't allowed to have gold bullion."
Al added his own observations. "That's right Sam. The government didn't change that till 1972. After that the South African Kugoran made a big splash with American investors."
"Hey, let's back out of here. I'm starting to get a little bit claustrophobic," complained CeCe who was furthest up the tunnel.
"That's a good idea. We need to get some professionals in here to shore up the tunnels. Will you lassies please follow me out of here." The first Ranger move to the side of the tunnel to let them pass as the second Ranger took the lead.
"Right behind you," said a greatly relieved Cyfer. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed very far away.
Vicksburg, MS
November 2, 1962
"That judge was really quite nice. He let us go without any bail." CeCe held Sam closely .
"Um, we still have to go back for a hearing. I think we need a lawyer," said Sue as they walked out into the bright Mississippi sun in front of the Vicksburg Federal Courthouse.
"On our budget? Wait, maybe Stony can…" Cyfer looked up at Sam.
"Sure, I can help you ladies out. They never found us walking away with anything. I think we'll get by without spending anytime in jail," Sam reassured them with what Al had told him.
"Hey, we've been I tougher spots before. Breaking and entering is on of our specialties," giggled CeCe.
"Yeah, but never on federal property." Sue was a little more worried now.
"And it usually has been more associated with our cases. And speaking of that, let's go find Captain Clements again," said Cyfer all ready to wrap up their case. "There's still a little unfinished business to attend to."
"It's not too dark yet," said CeCe. "We still have time." She snuggled into Sam.
Cyfer and Sue noticed her extra attention and looked at each other and then to the sky.
Not long after dark at the Pemberton Manor CeCe went back into her act. "Who's there? Where are you? Whoa! It's like I'm intersecting him. This is real eerie and feels damp and yucky. Captain Clements? Sir?" She smiled at a vision only she could see. "Sir, we located the treasury gold. Yes, sir. The task that General Pemberton assigned you. No sir. We have not deceived you. No sir, this is not a trick. My friends and I found it in the same tunnel that you have been searching for, on the south end of town."
Al stepped into the room in the middle of the one sided conversation. "Oh. She's at it again I see," he commented sourly.
"Shh!" responded Sam.
"It was in the tunnel. No, it had not been finished. No sir, the enemy did not get it. I guarantee it. The gold will be handed over to the government. They found it. And it will be turned over to them. You have my word. The current government will get it. Sir, your search is over. You're relieved? I'm glad. Thank you, sir. I take that as a great compliment. He said I'm a true daughter of the stars and bars. Me. CeCe!" She blushed a bit.
Cyfer put her hand on her mouth. She was so proud of her little sister. "Ask him about the next place. Can he move on?"
"Right. Sir. Are your deeds now done? Can you move on to that great parade ground the sky? Really? No more work to do here. I'm so glad, Captain Clements. Peace be with you. Farewell. Hey, look at the great light!" exclaimed CeCe.
The entire room glowed in a pale white light as an indistinct figure stood before them for all to view and then seemed to walk away into the center of the light. Smaller and smaller he became as the bright light faded leaving the ghost hunters in darkness once again.
Al dropped his cigar. "I knew it! How can you say there's no such thing as ghosts now, Sam? Look at that!" he exclaimed, as Sam stood there just smiling. He turned to Al and just shrugged.
"Impressive," remarked Sue as she put her camera down having caught the entire sequence on film.
Cyfer just stood next to Sue, crying very happily for the deceased Captain. He had found his peace at last.
CeCe was also overcome with emotion. "And now he's off! Farewell, oh great soldier. Farewell. May your journey be without incident! Farewell brave soldier, son of the Confederacy!" called out CeCe waving to him.
"Kind of poetic there. No great quotes about fallen comrades in Flanders Field?" asked Cyfer with a quirky lilt in her voice.
"Past his time. That would be World War I. Besides I never talked to one like that before. I'm an old softie when it comes to moving on. And since he predated all of us I thought a more classic sendoff was in order. We all do it ourselves someday!" said CeCe still staring off into the distance.
"Well, don't hang around and haunt me," said Cyfer. "I want peace in my old age."
"And if you go first?" inquired CeCe playfully.
"Then watch out. I howl unmercifully through the night. And I always enjoy a good chain rattling," kidded Cyfer.
"Always knew you were part rattler," Sue said to her sister.
"Don't you dare," said Cyfer "Go look for some other place to haunt. I know how to kick your ghostly carcass into the next life."
"That's the spirit," quipped CeCe joining in the fun.
"Hey, ladies. Enough puns. At least it looks like you did your job!" Sam was just happy it was all over.
"No doubt about. Stony, the house is yours," announced Cyfer.
Sue turned around to Sam. "If you hear any more noises, Mr. Clements, call a carpenter. I herby declared this house spook free!"
"How do you know it's not coming back?" Sam asked her.
"Then give us a call. Satisfaction guaranteed," said a very confident Sue.
"Yes, very satisfied," cooed CeCe. "How about you, Mr. Granite? HMM?"
Standing there a little nervously, Sam turned to Al and said, "It all depends upon what the future holds."
Al answered a bit startled, "Oh, yeah. That's my cue. It's just all the weird special effects going on here. Let's see. All three sisters and Cary Granite are still alive. Their little ghost hunting enterprise broke up when CeCe went and married Stony Clements. Hmm. They both ran the mansion for a few years and eventually bought the old Dixie Hotel downtown and renovated it. Today it's the classiest place to stay in Vicksburg. No kids. Cyfer went on to become a romance novelist specializing in gothic settings, no surprise there. She married a Chicago commodities broker and had three kids. Sue went on to work got a job at LIFE magazine as a photographer. Never married but she did earn a Pulitzer for a picture she took during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. Good for her! Ya shore done ya-self proud, Sammy boy," exclaimed Al looking a bit proud himself. By this time CeCe was kissing Sam very hard as Al was looking on quite amused. "And to think I never thought you had a ghost of a chance. Ha-ha. Say good-bye, suh."
And off Sam leaped to another place, another time and another adventure.