QUOTE
LT. DIXON'S GOLD COIN:
THE LEGEND OF THE GOLD COIN
THE LEGEND: For over a century, an oral tradition-a legend-was passed
down involving Lt. George Dixon, who commanded the H.L. Hunley
on its final assignment, which turned out to be one of the most important
missions in naval history. According to the legend, Dixon was in love
with a beautiful young woman from Mobile, Alabama, named Queenie Bennett.
To keep her sweetheart safe from harm, Queenie gave George Dixon a
gold coin, as a good luck charm. Again, according to the legend, George
kept the coin with him always, in his pocket, rubbing it with his thumb
while he dreamed of the day when he and Queenie would be reunited.
During the Battle of Shiloh, George was shot point blank. :o
A bullet ripped into the pocket of his trousers and struck the center of the
gold coin. The impact was said to have left the gold piece bent, with the
bullet embedded in it. Queenie's good luck gift had saved his life. :D
Many such legends were created during the war. Was this one true?
For 137 years, no one knew whether the story was true or merely a romantic
tale from long ago.
During the excavation of the H.L. Hunley, the gold coin was discovered next
to the remains of Lt. George Dixon. :(
It was deeply indented from the impact of a bullet and traces of lead
were discovered on the coin.
The coin, a $20 dollar gold piece, was minted in 1860. One side bears an
image of Lady Liberty. The other side--which has the US Mint authorized
"federal shield-and-eagle" symbol--had been sanded and engraved by hand.
It clearly bears four lines of cursive script:
Shiloh
April 6, 1862
My life Preserver
G. E. D.
THE LEGEND OF THE GOLD COIN
THE LEGEND: For over a century, an oral tradition-a legend-was passed
down involving Lt. George Dixon, who commanded the H.L. Hunley
on its final assignment, which turned out to be one of the most important
missions in naval history. According to the legend, Dixon was in love
with a beautiful young woman from Mobile, Alabama, named Queenie Bennett.
To keep her sweetheart safe from harm, Queenie gave George Dixon a
gold coin, as a good luck charm. Again, according to the legend, George
kept the coin with him always, in his pocket, rubbing it with his thumb
while he dreamed of the day when he and Queenie would be reunited.
During the Battle of Shiloh, George was shot point blank. :o
A bullet ripped into the pocket of his trousers and struck the center of the
gold coin. The impact was said to have left the gold piece bent, with the
bullet embedded in it. Queenie's good luck gift had saved his life. :D
Many such legends were created during the war. Was this one true?
For 137 years, no one knew whether the story was true or merely a romantic
tale from long ago.
During the excavation of the H.L. Hunley, the gold coin was discovered next
to the remains of Lt. George Dixon. :(
It was deeply indented from the impact of a bullet and traces of lead
were discovered on the coin.
The coin, a $20 dollar gold piece, was minted in 1860. One side bears an
image of Lady Liberty. The other side--which has the US Mint authorized
"federal shield-and-eagle" symbol--had been sanded and engraved by hand.
It clearly bears four lines of cursive script:
Shiloh
April 6, 1862
My life Preserver
G. E. D.