One of Georgia's oldest state parks is surrounded by a new mystery -- and a chain-link fence, too.
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The secrets, which are being kept under wraps pending an Aug. 19 "media event," are linked to recent archaeological studies at Magnolia Springs State Park, which was also the site of a famous Civil War prison camp.
"Rumors are hysterically flying," said Kim Hatcher, the public affairs coordinator for Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. "From what we hear, they found some fascinating things."
From September to November 1864, the sloping terrain north of Millen, Ga., was transformed into a 42-acre stockade built to house Union prisoners evacuated from the notorious Andersonville Prison 150 miles away.
The stockade -- named Camp Lawton -- was situated to take advantage of water from Magnolia Springs and designed to hold 32,000 prisoners. By Nov. 8, 1864, the camp roster included 10,299 federal soldiers.
Long accepted history holds that 685 of those prisoners died at Camp Lawton and were buried in a linear trench. After the war, the bodies were moved to a nearby cemetery -- and later to permanent graves at a national cemetery in Beaufort, S.C.
In recent years, however, the discovery of a Union soldier's detailed diary raised questions about whether there could be additional remains.
The soldier, Robert K. Sneden, was a topographical engineer and sketch artist in the Union's Army of the Potomac. He was captured by the Confederates in 1863 and spent time in Andersonville and later at Camp Lawton, where in his writings he claims to have kept death records of 1,300 prisoners.
"Sneden claims there were three burial trenches, two near the hospital and one near the railroad," said an internal Georgia State Park staff resource memo. "Did the Federal authorities miss a trench when establishing the national cemetery? Are there still prisoners buried on Magnolia Springs grounds?"
Authorities aren't saying what was found in the most recent round of archaeological studies, which have been under way at the park since March, but plenty of rumors have kept everyone talking -- and guessing.
"We've heard everything from aliens to Confederate gold to Sherman's horse -- with the saddle still on it," said Robert Jenkins, a lifelong county resident.
"There's just no telling."
The objective of the most recent studies was to locate the remains of Camp Lawton's stockade walls through the use of ground-penetrating radar and other modern technology.
Leading those studies were Georgia Southern University and Georgia's Department of Transportation.
Since then, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which operates a fish hatchery within the park, has taken a role in the project and will discuss the findings Aug. 19, Hatcher said.
"They did put up a fence, and brought in some security, to make sure there is no looting in the area of the dig," she said.
ABOUT THE CAMP: During the closing months of the Civil War, sick and dying Union prisoners were moved by the thousands from the notorious camp at Andersonville, Ga., where 13,000 men died. One destination was Camp Lawton, encompassing 42 acres near Millen, Ga., where 10,299 federal soldiers were in custody by Nov. 8, 1864. Many of the sick and wounded were "in a dying state."
DISCREPANCY OVER DEAD: Although bodies of 685 prisoners who died at Camp Lawton were exhumed from a linear burial trench after the war, a newly discovered journal -- written in 1864 by a camp prisoner -- documented 1,300 deaths and mentioned another burial trench.
LOOKING FOR CLUES: Archaeologists have conducted intermittent explorations at the site since 2005, but the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has scheduled a "media event" Aug. 19 to discuss significant recent findings.
Interesting story, looking forward to hearing what they have found.
I've driven by that park hundreds of times. I had no idea of its history. I think Millen should do a little more promoting.
This story is very strange to say the least. some say gold some say graves could be a little of both....prisoners buried with gold teeth... does not justify the large security fence,guards 24/7 and why wait until Aug 19th. I guess we'll have to wait for the big reveal.
Hey, its a public park. Why the secrecy if security is in place. Govt again keeping info from us common peeps.
I remember different family members over the years talk about the history of Magnolia Springs, the prison, gravesites, stories probably most have not heard, so it should have numerous relics there from the Civil War & before. It will be interesting to finally find out what a $40,000 fence is protecting!!! It would be nice for some of the local folks to be invited to the news conference on August 19 since they have so much knowledge of the area. I've heard it is by invitation only. I have a 90 year old aunt who lives nearby who would love to be there!!!
Ah, that accounts for the snippet of rumor I heard about 1300 bodies being found. Glad I didn't repeat it, would like to hear what the whole story is based on facts. I used to shudder when we visited Magnolia Springs Park, but thought it was just the thought of the snakes. I'll have to take another visit after we hear the rest of the story.
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