STAGE ONE Your first stop is the Grace Episcopal Church.
This church was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and the
pews were removed and coffins were made out of the wood. Find the
year the church was established. The last two digits plus 24 gives
you A.
I was told that Stage One is missing. The sign is out for
repair. The year on the sign is 1837.
STAGE TWO N35 51.904 W076 44.9A The Ausbon House
(Sniper's Nest) Here, just across the street from the historical
sign is the Ausbon House. Look around the upstairs window and you
will see all the bullet holes (and a cannon ball hole through the
chimney) from all the fighting. The fight to the death was in what
year? Last two digits equals A. The house was built in what year?
Last two digits plus 24 equals B.
STAGE THREE N35 52 0B W076 44 7A The Latham House As you
leave the Ausbon House on the way to the Latham House you will go
past the Plymouth Methodist Church. This church was also here
during the Civil War and had regular schedule of services for all
people. The grave yard actually predates the church and there are
tombstones under the church. The Latham House served as a gathering
place for the citizens of Plymouth. They gathered here for
protection and socializing. There are bullet holes in its'
structure as well. A tunnel was dug connecting this house to the
Armstead House (N35 51 891 W076 45 187) and continued out under the
Roanoke River to an island. This was to be used as an escape route
should the need arise. Find the circa date the house was built. The
last two digits minus 4 gives you A. Find the date the sign was
erected. The last three digits minus 98 gives you B.
STAGE FOUR N35 52 1A W076 44 B CSS Ram Albemarle The CSS
Albemarle was a Confederate Ironclad ship. Commanded by a young
Lieutenant, the ship held off the Union at many battles. Here you
see a replica floating in the very waters that the original
protected. If you look east (to your right) you can see where many
of the battles took place and almost where the Albemarle was sunk.
The replica still does "patrols" of the town's waterfront during
certain times of the year. If you are lucky you will hear it fire
its cannons! How many Union gunboats did the CSS Albemarle face at
the Battle of Bachelors Bay? The answer gives you A. How long was
the Battle of Bachelors Bay? The answer gives you B. How many Union
gunboats were swept from the Roanoke River during the Battle of
Plymouth? The answer gives your C.
STAGE FIVE N35 52 2B7 W076 44 A0C The actual cache! If
you've made it this far then you won't want to miss the last part!
You will see a gravel trail where train tracks used to go. This has
now been turned into a nice walking trail where you can see nature
along the river. If coming in the summer bring your bug spray! As
you walk along you will see your GPS point you directly to your
right (I hope). Just off the trail you will find what you have been
looking for. As you pick up the box look just to your left. Buried
deep in the woods is the location of Fort Comfort. Here on April
19th, 1864, the Confederate soldiers drove the Union Army out and
gained control of the Fort. This was the beginning of the end. The
Confederates later gained control of Plymouth, but not before 2,834
lives were lost.