A Trip South To Charlotte and Dahlonega, Treasury Dept. Assesses Post War Conditions – Summer 1865

JCH22

The Civil War came to an end in April, 1865 (for the most part). In June, Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch asked Mint Director Pollock to a recommend the appointment of a special agent to report on, inter alia, the conditions of the Dahlonega and Charlotte Mints; and, to opine whether operations should be resumed. Frugality was at work as Treasury “suggested” an “officer of the mint” might be appointed so “no unnecessary expenditure might be incurred.”

Pollock recommended John Curtis Booth.

Booth was a chemist and later Ph.D. who was appointed a Melter and Refiner by President Taylor in 1849. He would serve at the Mint until 1881. It appears the unlikely choice of a chemist for such a task was due to cost. Curtis normally took summers off from the Mint to engage in field work. He would later find himself rather unthanked for undertaking the journey as he would encounter problems recovering his expenses.

Pollock’s sojourn south began on July 10, and concluded September 9, 1865. His travels, to say the least, were difficult. Ever frugal, the Mint rejected his initial expense report. Perhaps with a bit of color to justify his rejected request, Booth sketched the daunting difficulties he faced in response:

“I avoided nothing to accomplish my purpose. In fulfilling my task I traveled over some 800 miles of railroad of the worst character, chiefly in box-cars, of the roughest construction, often exposed to hours of the mid-day sun, about 180 miles of roads in common wagons. I walked 180 miles by day and night, and camped without shelter for 14 nights. I need hardly add that my table fare was always irregular, frequently scant, and generally inferior from quality or preparation.”

Booth found the Mints in generally good condition, estimated the cost to restart each, but recommended against reopening for minting operations. He believed each would serve only the small need for local coinage which could be more cheaply satisfied by existing mints. (Booth was of the opinion only two mints, Philly & San Francisco were necessary).

For those interested, the link to his full report is below. It is a good and colorful read which provides a full picture of the Mints’ post war conditions and, occupation by troops, Southern and subsequently Northern.

The first section is in hand, the later pages contain a type written transcription (beginning on page 24).

https://dn790005.ca.archive.org/0/items/18650919BoothReportSouthernMints/18650919BoothReportSouthernMints.pdf

CaptHenway

With the great improvements in transportation between 1838 and 1861, the two southern Mints were no longer needed in 1861, though they stayed open due to the inertia that obsolete government projects often tend to have. The Civil War was a good excuse to leave them shut down.

Typekat

@JCH22

Thanks for posting this enlightening old report. It’s contributions like this that make the US Coins forum worthwhile.

Namvet69

Excellent in depth report. Enjoyed reading and understanding the process.

golden

So very cool!