Ghosts of the Civil War

by Rich Newman

  These days, several key spots associated with the Battle of Staunton River are said to be haunted. There’s the usual residual haunted happenings at the battleground (sounds of gun shots, shouts, etc.), but that’s the least of the paranormal activity in the area. The spirit of a Union soldier is reported to roam Mary Baldwin College, a ghost that’s dubbed the “Yellow Peril” haunts the Virginia Military Institute, and Confederate apparitions have been seen at the Lafayette Inn and the Selma House. If that’s not enough, the area known as The Wharf, as well as the Staunton Train Depot, are said to be crawling with spirits. The most notable of these being the ghost of Myrtle Ruth Knox, who was killed in a train accident that demolished the depot in 1890.

  Battle of Saltville

  Saltville, Virginia

  Truth be told, there were actually two battles at the town of Saltville during the American Civil War. The first occurred on October 2, 1864, when Union Brigadier General Stephen G. Burridge attempted to raid and take the saltworks located there. The Confederates won despite being severely outmatched, but their victory would be marred by the horrible incident now referred to as the “Saltville Massacre.”

  Several of the units fighting for the North in this battle were black cavalry soldiers, and when the Federals were forced to surrender, many of them were taken captive. That’s when notorious Southern leader Champ Ferguson took matters into his own hands and executed many of the African American soldiers, and even some of the Caucasian troops to boot. Ferguson would be tried, convicted, and executed following the war for the massacre.

  A couple months later, the town of Saltville again fell under fire on December 20, 1864, when General George Stoneman made another attempt to take the saltworks. The town was defended by Colonel Robert Preston, but the Federal force was too much for them the second time around. The Union Army took the town and destroyed the saltworks there. The two battles combined produced more than 500 casualties, and it seems that they were a lively sort indeed.

  During reenactments of the battle of Saltville, it’s said that the spirits of the dead like to join in. Those who participate in the events claim to see ghostly soldiers joining them on the field and hear the whizz of bullets go by, and they even hear weapons being fired that aren’t part of the show. So if you hear of a reenactment taking place in Saltville, Virginia, you may want to swing by for it. You never know what you might see or hear.

  Battle of Droop Mountain

  Hillsboro, West Virginia

  Known as the last significant battle of the American Civil War to take place in West Virginia, the date was November 6, 1863, when Brigadier General William W. Averell squared off against Confederate leader Brigadier General John Echols. The prize was the local Virginia-Tennessee Railroad at the town of Salem and, ultimately, the winner would be the North. Confederate resistance collapsed in the state and General Averell took up his headquarters in Beverly, West Virginia.

  Interestingly, the first ghost sighting to take place at Droop Mountain happened just after the war. According to several sources, two young girls by the names of Betty and Nancy Snedegar were picking berries on the mountain when they found some relics left behind by the battle there (some say it was a pair of guns, some say it was a pair of sabers). When they decided to take the relics home to show to their parents, strange things began to happen. Voices would call out to them, mysterious rocks were thrown, and it wasn’t long before the girls knew they were suddenly not alone. The activity followed them home to the Snedegar farm where the rocks continued to appear and hound them. Eventually the war weapons were returned to the site where they were found and the spirits left them alone.

  Since then there have been many other people who have encountered the restless ghosts of Droop Mountain. Sightings of a spirit of a soldier have occurred around an antique cannon, misty apparitions have been seen walking through the park, and the sounds of battle seem to be heard regularly.

  Battle of Shepherdstown

  Shepherdstown, West Virginia

  When Union Brigadier General Charles Griffin crossed the Potomac River at Boteler’s Ford, the intent was to strike the rear of Brigadier General William N. Pendleton’s Confederate force. The date was September 19, 1862, and the attack was successful; the Federal force managed to capture four artillery pieces and set up the battle that ultimately claimed over 650 casualties. The Southern Army won the day and Union commander General McClellan was relieved of duty due to his failure to pursue the Rebels.

  The clash is commemorated today within the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, and it’s a great place to get your outdoor fix. Of course you may want to consider a second place to tour: the city of Shepherdstown. Locals say the battle opened the door for spirits to literally infest the entire town. There’s a bakery that’s said to house the spirit of a Confederate soldier, a university campus with several hot spots (including the Entler-Weltzheimer house and McMurran Hall), the Entler Hotel (a living museum and welcome center that served as a field hospital during the battle), and even haunted eateries (Carriage House Cafe and the Yellow Brick Restaurant).

  Start your visit of Sherpherdstown at the Entler Hotel Museum/Visitor Center—they should be able to point out any other ghostly locales not listed here, as well as direct your paranormal tour.

  Battle of Carnifex Ferry

  Summersville, West Virginia

  Every odd year (2019, 2021, etc.) the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park holds a reenactment of the events that took place there on September 10, 1861—and what happened was a skirmish that would play an important part in driving Confederate troops from Western Virginia and cause the state of West Virginia to be created.

  After Rebel Brigadier General John B. Floyd crossed the Gauley River and attacked Federal troops under the command of Colonel Erastus Tyler, General Floyd had the upper hand and camped at Carnifex Ferry. Meanwhile Union forces managed to increase considerably thanks to Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans marching in three brigades of infantry. Due to the strength of the additional men, and some heavy artillery that the Southern troops were unable to counter, the Confederates were driven from the area.

  Interestingly, much like the soldiers who appear to do the reenactments in the park, the spirits like showing up around September 10 each year. Locals claim the residual energy left behind from the battle is significant, so at this particular time, visitors to the park will hear the sounds of gunfire, the shouts of men engaging in battle, and the cries of the wounded. On occasion bizarre mists seem to form for no reason, and the odd glowing ball of light can be spotted roaming the fields. If you visit for a little ghost hunt, you may want to make sure you go on the even numbered years; you wouldn’t want to mistake a reenactor for a ghost.

  [contents]

  3

  ∏

  Frightening Forts

  Before and during the American Civil War, forts (short for “fortress” or “fortification”) were a regular staple of the United States Army. They defended troops in wars against the English, French, American Indians, and even each other. All of the forts listed in this chapter still exist today in some form or another. Many are still intact—antique structures standing formidably against the skyline. Some fell long ago and are either marked with a replica of the original or a historical plaque that explains what happened to it. Forts are an interesting addition to this book because they almost always have tours of some kind that you can participate in or are at least accessible from the exterior. And all of them have a wonderful mix of history and ghost stories associated with them.

  Fort Gaines

  Dauphin Island, Alabama

  Fort Gaines.

  Located on an island that was already considered to be haunted by locals, Fort Gaines still seems a bastion of defense perched alongside the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1821, Fort Gaines is most known for the infamous Battle of Mobile Bay that happened on August 5,
1864. The affair went down when Federal Navy ships led by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut moved into Mobile Bay to take on a much smaller Confederate fleet under Admiral Franklin Buchanan. Of course the real problem for the Union ships was the trio of forts that guarded the port.

  Once the Southern naval force had been dealt with, Admiral Farragut turned his attention to the forts. For Fort Gaines, this meant dealing with a ground force under the command of General Gordon Granger. The Yankees handled the short battle with skill, bombarding the fort with shells from the safety of the Dauphin Island sand dunes, and it wasn’t long before the fort was taken (along with the other two as well).

  Today you can tour what’s left of the fort and even see the anchor from Admiral Farragut’s ship, the USS Hartford. And if you’re lucky you will see one of the spirits said to walk the walls of this haunted fort. For decades people have reported seeing the phantoms on patrol. They’re sometimes seen from the beach, sometimes from boats out in the water. Strangely, in addition to the Civil War era soldiers roaming the fort, tales of a “woman in white” have also been told. She, too, seems to like staring out over the gulf from the height of the wall.

  As previously stated, Dauphin Island already has ghost tales associated with it; Indian Shell Mound Park (not far from the fort) is said to be plagued with the spirits of local Native Americans. The sounds of chants and singing are heard at night, roaming balls of light are seen, and apparitions have appeared in the area of the old burial mounds.

  Fort Morgan

  Gulf Shores, Alabama

  Feel like going on a sunny, haunted vacation? What would be better than Gulf Shores, Alabama? You’ve got the beach, the ocean, and an awesome haunted fort to check out.

  Construction on Fort Morgan began in 1819 when the previous defender of Mobile Bay, Fort Bowyer, was deemed ready for a replacement. It took until 1834 to finish the stronghold—and it was mostly done through the hard work of African American slaves. The place was named after General Daniel Morgan, an officer during the American Revolutionary War, and would become a strategic point of interest during the American Civil War.

  At the onset of the war, on January 4, 1861, troops supporting the state of Alabama’s secession from the Union seized Fort Morgan. Confederate troops controlled the fort for most of the war, using the position to defend the city of Mobile and guard supplies running through the blockade being enforced by the Union Navy. It was August 1864 when the fort finally saw some serious action.

  On that date, Union forces under command of Admiral David G. Farragut bombarded their way past the formidable fort to engage the Confederate Navy in the Battle of Mobile Bay. After sinking two Confederate vessels, Tennessee and Selma—and capturing the ship and fort named Gaines—the Federal force turned its eye on Fort Morgan. After two weeks of constant bombardment, the fort surrendered on August 23, 1864.

  The tours (only held certain times of the year) are an excellent way to see some of this history in action, as well as to see the sights in the fort. As you do this, you may want to pay special attention as you make your way through the old barracks area of the fort. It’s known as the “most haunted” location within the installation, mostly due to the deaths that occurred during the bombardment of the fort during the Civil War, and a local tale that says a soldier hung himself on this spot.

  There’s also a second ghost story associated with this location. No specifics are detailed, but locals tell of a spectral woman who is seen wandering the courtyard areas of the fort. It’s said she was abducted, raped, and killed by several men who were stationed there, and now she seeks those who harmed her. Perhaps for justice, perhaps to warn others.

  Fort Point

  San Francisco, California

  Who associates the state of California with the American Civil War? Though the vast majority of the fighting during the war occurred in the Mississippi Valley and the eastern portion of the United States, the repercussions of the fighting would be felt throughout the country.

  Completed in 1861 at the onset of the war, Fort Point was created to help guard San Francisco Bay against any enemy warships that could attack. Because California had become an official state in 1850—and a massive gold rush had increased the population considerably—the fort would be tasked with the important mission of keeping the state safe. Alcatraz Island and Fort Mason would actually be built along with Fort Point to assist with this task. At the time, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston was the Commander of the Department of the Pacific, and he would oversee the placement of the first cannon at Fort Point. Not long after this, Colonel Johnston would resign his commission to join the Confederacy and accept the rank of a general.

  As for Fort Point, it stood on a vigilant watch throughout the Civil War for an attack that never came. In 1865 the Confederate ship CSS Shenandoah did actually embark on a mission to attack San Francisco—but the sailors onboard learned that the war had actually ended before arriving at San Francisco Bay.

  Once the war was over, the fort eventually became obsolete—though that is certainly not the case today. The Fort Point National Historic Site is a popular attraction, standing in the shadow of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. It’s actually because of the bridge and the sheer amount of associated suicides that many believe the fort is now haunted.

  Misty apparitions and forlorn voices top the list of paranormal events that have been experienced at the site. Most of these seem to be of the ordinary, civilian sort, and this is why they are thought to be the souls of those who leapt from the bridge to their deaths. But in addition to these, there are at least two accounts of visitors reporting seeing the spirit of a soldier. One of the eyewitnesses of the spectral troop said that the ghost was standing at attention, ignoring him.

  Fort Delaware

  Pea Patch Island, Delaware

  Built for the defense of the Delaware River harbor, the present version of Fort Delaware has been standing on Pea Patch Island since 1848. Well, at least that’s when construction began. It was 1860 by the time the structure could be called completed.

  During the Civil War, Fort Delaware was used as a military prison. Confederate prisoners of war, convicted Union soldiers, and political prisoners comprised the population of the facility, including over a dozen Southern generals over the course of the war. The mortality rate of the prisoners was relatively low compared to some of the horrific prison camps of the South—and the death toll would have been even lower had it not been for an epidemic of smallpox that affected the population.

  Once the Civil War was over, the fort went back to its regular duties, and it continued to service the area up to World War II. As for the ghosts on the grounds … Well, tales of spirits and hauntings in the old fort are well known. Ghost hunters from far and wide have made the trek to Pea Patch Island to visit this infamous location, and most have not left disappointed. If you manage to make the trek yourself, there are quite a few hot spots worth mentioning. And it’s worth noting that they offer paranormal tours, ghost hunting seminars, and even full blown investigations to the public.

  The first stop during your visit should most likely be the “dungeons.” This is where the prisoners of war were kept and where the bulk of the deaths occurred. Eyewitness accounts of the bizarre in this location include disembodied voices (sometimes words, but mostly moans and groans), the sounds of chains moving in the rooms, pasty faces of apparitions peering from the darkness, and extremely pronounced cold spots that sweep over them. Many who tour this area experience dizziness, a sick feeling in their stomach, and the constant feeling of being watched.

  Once you’re finished with that area, head on over to the kitchen. A well-known female ghost is often seen in this spot. Sometimes she appears as a misty figure, but often she is a woman in period clothing. It seems that she likes to slam doors, toss items in the kitchen, and generally do things to get the attention of those who are around. Now let’s move on to the outside area.r />
  Two additional apparitions have been seen in various spots outside of the fort in the courtyard. They seem to be a mother and child, and they’ve been reported together and individually. The mother seems to ignore those who are around, but the child spirit is said to laugh and pull on the clothes of those who pass by. It all adds up to an awesome paranormal getaway. With any luck you will be the next to have an encounter there.

  Fort Pickens

  Gulf Breeze, Florida

  After the War of 1812, it became apparent that the United States needed to shore up its coastal defenses. With this in mind, a series of strongholds were constructed in the Gulf of Mexico. Fort Pickens, being one of these new defenses, was finished in 1834. Along with Fort Barrancas and Fort McRee, the post was tasked with guarding the port and maintaining a military presence on the Southern border.

  When the Civil War erupted, Fort Pickens had been standing abandoned since the Mexican-American War. Yet this did not stop Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer from taking his contingency of Union troops there to stand defiantly against the proclamation by the state of Florida to join the Confederacy. Lieutenant Slemmer knew that Fort Pickens was the strongest of the forts at this location, so on January 8, 1861, he sabotaged the other two neighboring forts and made his move there. He would successfully stand against the Confederates who attacked until reinforcements arrived that April.

  These days the biggest draw to Fort Pickens is the excellent camping and beaches in the area. You can, of course, tour the remains of the fort too. As for the ghosts, they seem to be unrelated to the American Civil War, though most believe one of the ghosts on the grounds is a soldier.

  On June 20, 1899, a fire broke out in the fort in an area called Bastion D. This just happened to be the location where the fort stored gunpowder. The result was a massive explosion that destroyed the bastion, blew down one wall, and killed one soldier. The detonation was large enough that bricks from the fort’s walls fell in view of Fort Barrancas more than a mile away.