A Dismal History Lesson Mystery Cache
offline.cacher: The general rule reviewers use to archive a cache is that the cache owner has been notified (through a log entry) by the reviewer and that no response has been forthcoming. This is the case with this cache. As a result it has been archived.
If the owner would like to discuss this issue, please contact me through my geocaching.com profile. Include the GC code for the cache.
Thanks
offline.cacher
Virginia geocaching.com reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The trail to this cache will introduce you to some of the history surrounding the Dismal Swamp Canal.
Coordinates above are to the boat launch near the feeder ditch which runs from Lake Drummond to the Dismal Swamp Canal, providing a steady source of water for the canal. The cache itself is a nicely stocked ammo can with lots of travel bugs waiting to be picked up, as well as other assorted trade items, and of course the log book. But first you will need to find the coordinates for the cache.
This history lesson was placed prior to the closure of Hwy 17 along this stretch of road. Now it is a wonderful bike trail and you no longer have to worry about getting killed pulling out of a rest area! However, before the road was closed, one of the signs was knocked down as still has not been replaced. So, to make it a little easier on paperless cachers who might not have the attached photo, I have also provided the answer from that sign.
In addition to the above coordinates, you will need to visit three additional locations, in no particular order, to complete your quest for information leading to the cache:
N 36 38.280 W076 22.380
N 36 40.856 W076 21.692
N 36 40.876 W076 21.690
***NOTE: One of the informational signs at these locations is down. I have uploaded a photo of the sign to use until it is replaced. But I am not telling you which location might be missing the sign, you will still need to figure that out!
Here is the History Lesson found at these locations:
- The Dismal Swamp Canal was chartered by North Carolina in 17(D)0. (Answer from missing sign = 9)
- Walter Herron, a Dismal Swamp Canal Company stockholder, began the construction of Herring Ditch in the mid-1820s as a millrace that ran from the canal eastward (A) miles to present Shillelagh Road.
- William H. Stewart served as commander of the (B)(I)st Virginia Volunteer Regiment.
- The CSS Appomattox was (F) inches too wide to enter the first lock and was burned by the Confederates.
- The Union gained control of the canal shortly after the fall of Norfolk on May 10, 186(G).
- Brig. General Edward A. Wild led a punitive expedition on May (E)(J), 1863.
- William C. Wallace was mortally wounded and captured on August (C)(H), 1864.
Using the above points of interest, the final coordinates for the cache can be found by replacing the letters with the correct numerical information:
N 36 _ _ . _ 9 _
N 36 A B . C D E
W 076 _ _ . _ _ _
W 076 F G . H I J
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur pnpur vf ybpngrq arne bar bs gur bevtvany tenavgr zvyr znexref sbe gur Qvfzny Fjnzc Pnany.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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