During the Civil War, it is believed that the elders of First Presbyterian Church instructed a gentleman named Ambrose, a janitor commonly called a sexton during that time, to build a tunnel under what is now Fifth Street to hide valuables, including silver offering trays fearing the Federal army could soon push their way into the area.
Remember, Sherman and his army never went through Charlotte, but did suggest they were headed towards the area to confuse the Confederate forces. I do know Federal troops entered Charlotte after the war’s end. A contingent of the 9th New Jersey Infantry marched into Charlotte on May 7, 1865.
Reportedly, Ambrose built the tunnel under what is now Fifth Street to hide the valuables. After the threat of Sherman cleared, Ambrose entered the tunnel again to retrieve them, but rumor has it that the tunnel collapsed, killing the man.
Ever since that day, there have been alleged sightings of Ambrose.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
