History Detectives Season 1 Episode 5 Lee's Last Orders; Natchez House; Napoleonic Sword
- July 21, 2003
In the fifth episode of season one of History Detectives, titled "Lee's Last Orders; Natchez House; Napoleonic Sword," the team of investigators takes on three separate cases to uncover the truth behind each object.
The first case involves a set of handwritten orders given by Confederate General Robert E. Lee to his subordinate, General James Longstreet, just before the Battle of Gettysburg. The orders are now in the possession of a family in Pennsylvania who believe them to be authentic and valuable. The History Detectives team delves into the history of the orders and the events leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg to determine if they are genuine and if they hold any significant historical value.
The second case focuses on a house located in Natchez, Mississippi, that is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. The current owner of the house wants to know if the rumors are true and if any evidence can be found to support the claim. The History Detectives team interviews local historians and descendants of former slaves to piece together the history of the house and uncover any evidence of its role in the Underground Railroad.
The final case revolves around a Napoleonic sword that has been passed down through a family for generations. The sword has inscriptions and symbols that suggest it could have belonged to a French officer who fought under Napoleon Bonaparte. The History Detectives team travels to France to investigate the sword's history and determine if it could have been used in any significant battles.
Through their expert investigations, the History Detectives team uncovers fascinating information and sheds new light on each of these historical artifacts. Viewers are taken on a journey through history as the team conducts interviews, researches documents, and explores historical sites to piece together the stories behind each object.