General Morgan's Dirty Dozen
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Complicated (on purpose) for those local geocachers that travel all these locations anyway. The final cache is an ammo box and is located near one of the dozen locations listed below (near being a relative term). The difficulty is listed so high because when you get all your answers, you still have lots of math left and maybe more driving.
Please GO to all the steps, they are permanent and public. I know that as a geocacher of chivalry and honor in the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (CSA), you want to, especially if you knew you were accountable to the General himself. General John Hunt Morgan (1825 – 1864; death at age 39), made four significant raids north during the War Between the States and made the North fear the war would come to their doorstep. The first was the Raid of ’62 from July 4, 1862 through August 1, 1862. The next was his Christmas Raid from December 22, 1862 through January 2, 1863. The last and most famous was the Great Raid of ’63 from July 2, 1863 through July 26, 1863 when he was captured with his last 364 soldiers. His Last Raid into Kentucky in June 1864 was minor in impact.
A] Garrettsville N 37* 55.336’ W 086* 01.664’
How many letters in the name on the white sign to the right? _____
Morgan’s men moved through here and spend the night in and around Otter Creek. Good water sources for a Regiment of Cavalry with horses could be hard to come by deep in enemy territory. Though the town no longer exists, it’s memory lives on here. It is rumored that Morgan’s men burnt the whole town to the ground, but the main reason it’s gone now is the Army bought all the land in 1921 for Camp Knox.
B] Nelson County Courthouse in Bardstown N 37* 48.558’ W 085* 28.013’
On the date listed on the historical marker, how many Union Cavalrymen delayed Morgan’s Raiders? Morgan’s Cavalry actually came through here twice; on his Christmas Raid of ’62 and on the Great Raid of ’63.
C] Morgan’s Cave N 37* 57.048’ W 086* 03.362’
How many horizontal bars? _____
I recommend parking at N 37* 57.048' W 086* 03.305'
You should be able to hitch your horse to a tree and use your boots from there. There is NOT a big sign (or any sign) that says famous, historic cave this way. Look for trail. Many stories are told about this location, including it was used to house POW’s and that Morgan himself spent the night inside. Ask Brian the Park Naturalist at the Nature Center for more stories and information. The site is protected habitat now due to housing several species of concern. Otter Creak belongs to Metro Louisville. It is the only Metro Louisville Park outside of Jefferson County that I know of. Fort Knox disposed of this ‘excess’ property by deeding it to Louisville even though it is in Meade County.
D] Lieutenant? N 37* 41.327’ W 085* 51.322’
How many letters in his engraved rank if you spelled out the military abbreviation? _____
The local General Ben Hardin Helm Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans maintains many spots here and swears Augustus Warfield, one of Morgan’s Raiders, was an officer. His flat marble, military style marker says otherwise. This one may require some hunting if the crab grass has been active (please pull it back and trim by hand to keep the site pristine).
E] King of Battle! N 37* 41.294’ W 085* 51.317’
What is the year stamped on the left side of the cannon’s elevation axle (not the wheel axle)? _____
Morgan bombarded the local Union defenders from this hillside on December 27, 1862 during his Christmas Raid of ’62. Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith commanding the 91st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and General Morgan demanded the other one surrender; each was offended; each refused. The battle did not last long (about an hour) and destroyed several buildings downtown. The Union soldiers surrendered without the consent or knowledge of their commander. Be sure to read the historical markers at the entrance to this location.
F] Not Forgotten. N 37* 41.294’ W 085* 51.317’
How many confederate unknowns are buried at these coordinates? _____
Although probably not Morgan’s soldiers at this location, many soldiers lost their lives and their families never received word of their loved ones’ final disposition. Sometimes not knowing is the worst thing. There are two more confederate unknowns buried elsewhere in the Elizabethtown Cemetery. Also, another General Morgan geocache “Thunderbolt of the Confederacy” is not far.
G] Battle for Corydon N 38* 12.000’ W 086* 07.762’
In what year was the cabin moved to its present location? _____
There are signs directing you to this park from downtown and Indiana Highway 135. Many historical markers, but my favorite is the anchor chain from the “Alice Dean.”
H] Downtown Corydon N 38* 12.711’ W 086* 07.570’
According to the ‘old style’ historical marker, there is a discrepancy between the Union forces at the start and end. Using the numbers in the first and last sentences, how many died and/or ran? First – Last = ? _____
Corydon was the state capital of Indiana from 1816 until 1825 (General Morgan’s birth year). General Morgan pushed through this area with Union soldiers alerted throughout all of south and central Indiana fearing a possible push towards Indianapolis. Also, look for one of the newer signs nearby.
I] Downtown Brandenburg N 38* 00.265’ W 086* 10.391’
When was this house built according to the historical marker? _____
General Morgan and his staff watched the battle from the porch of Colonel Robert Buckner's home on West Hill. Morgan, who served with Colonel Buckner in the Mexican War, was received at the Buckner home and a fine dinner was set in Morgan's honor.
J] The Key to War Supplies N 37* 58.095’ W 085* 57.656’
According to the sign, how many significant years? 18?? – 18?? = __________
Morgan sent a small group of his raiders towards Louisville as a feint (Union forces fell for it). The railroad trestles here going up Muldraugh Hill were set on fire and destroyed.
K] All ashore that’s going ashore! N 38* 01.381’ W 086* 11.637’
Including the new sign, how many historical signs are posted here (don’t count the ‘Welcome to’)? _____
Here is the start of Morgan’s Raiders swath of terror in Indiana. New signs have been posted throughout Indiana and this is the first on the trail. You are welcome to continue beyond the requirements of this cache and see the rest. (I’ve seen over half and there are many other monuments and signs in the state of Indiana; Kentucky is starting a similar series)
L] Balls to the Wall! N 37* 41.605’ W 085* 51.480’
What is the numbered address over the doorway to the right of the metal plaque? _____
The history of Hardin County surrounds you as several other area geocaches and historical signs can attest. Morgan left this calling card during his Christmas Raid. The oddity of the ball above is even stranger when you realize that not only does it have a metal plaque and arrow, but after a fire destroyed the building in 1887, Annie Nourse of Elizabethtown recovered the cannonball. “Many years after it had adorned my cabinet along with other historical balls (not cannon), I restored it to the bank and they had it placed in the same spot, as near as possible.”
Now that you have answered the dirty dozen, Using the letters A-L from the dozen locations to go to, solve for your final destination, the cache with log book and your smiley.
QQ = H
WW = J - A
XXX = G – E + A + L – J + 300
YYY = (I / 2) – H – B – C – L + 618
So, You take QQ, WW, XXX and YYY, and substitute them in for your final coordinates.
N 37* QQ.XXX’W 086* WW.YYY’
Finally, if you run into difficulties, please email me through the website or email Bluegrassfan (he can assist with more local help/troubles for me).
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N Pnpur jryy fbhtug, vf n Pnpur jryy rnearq. - Oraavr Senaxyva