George E. Dixon

Hunley during her successful mission to sink the Union blockading ship USS Housatonic off Charleston, South Carolina.

Although Dixon's early life is largely unknown, the 1860 census lists him as a 23-year-old native of Kentucky or maybe South Carolina.

Dixon's expensive tailor-made uniform and jewelry found on his remains suggest that he was a man of some wealth.

3, Royal Arch Masons, indicate that Dixon visited that body on March 20, 1863, which proves he was also a York Rite Man.

In March 1862, Dixon's regiment proceeded to Corinth, Mississippi, and the following month took an active part in the Battle of Shiloh, losing 200 men killed or wounded out of the 650 engaged.

Luckily, a $20 gold coin he carried as a good luck piece saved his leg, and possibly his life.

It was during the uneventful garrison duty at Mobile that Dixon became interested in the submarine that Horace Lawson Hunley was building.

Following the recovery of the H. L. Hunley, the story was partially verified by the discovery of the gold coin with Dixon's remains.

The wounded are being brought into camp... George Dixon, shot in the hip, the ball striking a gold piece ranged upwards and came out of his side; will probably recover if he can be well cared for...