Ghosts of the Civil War

by Rich Newman

  The First Battle of Fort Fisher occurred on December 23, 1864, when the structure came under a naval attack led by Major General Benjamin Butler.

  Fort Fisher

  Wilmington, North Carolina

  Fort Fisher.

  After attempting to blow down the walls of Fort Fisher by detonating a ship filled with gunpowder—and failing—he ordered an artillery bombardment. This managed to silence the fort’s guns for a bit, and though the Federal Navy was able to shore up and off-load infantry, it was all for naught. Confederate reinforcements were about to arrive under Major General Robert F. Hoke, and the Union commander knew they would lose the engagement. So the Federals withdrew and Major General Butler was relieved of command the following week.

  A month later, on January 13, 1865, Fort Fisher came under attack once again. This time it was Major General Alfred Terry, the replacement for General Butler, leading the charge. And it was a well-planned charge. General Terry had arranged a coordinated attack with the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It was a long and grueling battle (with over 2,900 casualties), but at the end of it, the Union came out on top. The taking of Fort Fisher cut off the Confederacy from foreign aid and crippled their supply chain.

  The site is a well-visited tourist attraction in North Carolina these days. It’s a gorgeously preserved historic site that looks much like it did during the Civil War. In addition to the tourists, local paranormal groups love to visit Fort Fisher too. The spirit of Major General W.H.C. Whiting is well known in the area, so most ghost hunters head straight to the parapets of the fort to search for him. He’s often seen there, as well as roaming the grounds below.

  Another great spot to check out would be the woods just north of the fort. There have been several reports of a ghostly Confederate soldier peering from the trees. They say he sometimes appears as a full apparition, but at other times he seems to only “partially appear” with an upper torso and a dazed look on his face.

  Fort Hayes

  Columbus, Ohio

  Originally dubbed “Columbus Arsenal,” this site saw no action during the American Civil War. It was built in 1862 at the start of the war, however, to serve as an arsenal for the Union. The name was changed in 1922 to Fort Hayes (named after President Rutherford B. Hayes who was from Ohio), and the installation became a military post.

  Today the place is known as the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, and it operates as an “alternative school” for residents of Columbus. It was actually students at the school who first started reporting some bizarre incidents happening within the installation. Sightings of apparitions, spooky moans and groans, and “shadow people” top the list of experiences at this spot, though other things have occurred there as well.

  If you manage a visit to Fort Hayes (you want to secure permission to visit since it’s a private school), there are a few hot spots to check out. The area with the most activity seems to be the base tower where people have seen the spirit of a soldier hanging out. There has been a lot of sightings of this particular ghost, so you may want to make this your first stop.

  In addition to the tower, disembodied voices, cold spots, and dark entities (sometimes called shadow people) have been witnessed in the old drill hall where soldiers would practice marching, and the old quarters where soldiers would stay while serving on the base. It’s a compact area so getting around to see all the locations should be no problem—provided, of course, that you have permission to be there.

  Fort Washita

  Durant, Oklahoma

  Established in 1842, Fort Washita was created by General Zachary Taylor (who later became President of the United States) to help protect those in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nation from the raiding Plains Indians in the area. It was occupied by Federal forces until the onset of the American Civil War, but it was abandoned since the Union Army decided the troops could be better utilized in other areas.

  Not long after the Northern soldiers left (the very next day actually), a Confederate force from Texas moved into the fort and occupied it throughout the war. They would have a peaceful time while at the fort and, after the war, the entire post would be handed over to the Chickasaw Nation. Today, the Oklahoma Historical Society owns the property and operates a museum there.

  As for the ghosts at Fort Washita, there seems to be at least two. Since the fort offers tours, hosts reenactments, and participates in many events, there’s been ample opportunity for people to see some strange things at this location. The most commonly reported paranormal activity at the fort involves a spirit known as Aunt Jane.

  Aunt Jane is a headless apparition that has been seen roaming the grounds in a long, white dress (or gown). She was reputedly killed while at the fort, but there aren’t any details as to who did the murder or why. We just know that she was beheaded during the affair and that she now walks this site at night. Since this ghost has been seen in several areas (the reconstructed barracks seems to be one of her favorite hangouts), you may want to take your time looking around. But that’s not the only haunting.

  The Bohanan Cabin was built between 1865 and 1870 by an employee of the fort, Edward Bohanan. During the Civil War, he was commissioned as a Confederate officer, so the cabin was given to his daughter and her rather large family (she had twelve children). Today, the cabin is part of the historical site and thought to be haunted by a rather aggressive spirit.

  People who have visited the cabin during reenactments, etc. have reported experiencing the sensation of being choked by invisible hands. Interestingly, the spirit seems to only attack women, so you may want to keep this in mind if you’re offered the opportunity to go inside the cabin. Beyond these two known spirits, ghostly activity of the residual kind—disembodied voices, gunfire, etc.—have also been reported at Fort Washita, so don’t just limit your visit to the barracks and cabin.

  Like most of the Civil War era forts built in the far west, Fort Stevens saw no action during the engagement. But after you set that little fact aside, every other detail about this location and its haunting is second to none.

  Fort Stevens

  Hammond, Oregon

  Fort Stevens.

  In 1863, Forts at Point Adams and Cape Disappointment were constructed to guard the mouth of the Columbia River. In 1865, the Fort at Point Adams changed its name to Fort Stevens in honor of Isaac I. Stevens, the former territorial governor of Washington, who was killed during the Civil War. The Fort at Cape Disappointment would also undergo a couple name changes (first Fort Cape Disappointment, then Fort Canby), and the Columbia River would gain a third post for its defense, Fort Columbia.

  Since Fort Stevens was built in 1863, you might guess that it was being constructed because of the Civil War, but you would be wrong. It’s true that Union soldiers were on the lookout for the remote chance of a Confederate attack, but the real reason the fort existed was to defend the area from British soldiers in Canada during the period after an incident known as the Pig War. See, I told you this would be interesting!

  The islands between Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and the state of Washington (now known as the San Juan Islands) were contested territory between 1859 and 1870. It would ultimately be a bloodless affair (except for the pig that was shot for trespassing in a garden), but that didn’t stop the settlers in the area from needing protection from an impending British attack.

  So what else could make a visit to the Fort Stevens State Park worth your time? How about spending the night outdoors with two very active ghosts? The park offers camping on the site, and it’s one of the neatest places to camp in the country. With the ruins of old batteries, military buildings, artillery, etc. within the park, it makes a great secluded spot to do some ghost hunting. The only problem is that the two military spirits like to roam.

  Indeed, the pair of ghosts have been seen in the campsites, around the old buildings, roaming the woods, etc. One spirit seems to be from th
e period of the Civil War, dressed in a Union infantryman’s attire. The other appears in a more recent uniform—most likely World War II era (during that war, Fort Stevens was attacked by a Japanese submarine). Both of them seem active and intelligent, and they really get around. So pack up your ghost hunting equipment, grab your camping gear, and get out to old Fort Stevens for a fun and spooky time.

  Fort Mifflin

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  The ominous Fort Mifflin is well known throughout the paranormal community as one of the hottest ghost-watching spots in the country. Dating back to 1771, this stronghold sits on Mud Island (also known as Deep Water Island) in the Delaware River, just outside the city. It has stood and served through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the two world wars. When any location sees this much misery and strife, it’s little surprise that something otherworldly could remain behind.

  During the Civil War, the Union Army made the decision to use Fort Mifflin as a military prison rather than a defensive position. Repairs had been made to the facility in 1863 so it was current and up to the task when thousands of Confederate prisoners began arriving. But due to a lapse in the prisoner exchange program, the fort quickly became overcrowded. This forced the troops at the fort to convert almost every available building into holding cells, though the bulk would remain in the three large “casemates” within the walls.

  Many of these buildings, including the casements, still stand today in the Fort Mifflin historical site—and they are all considered hot spots for ghost watching. If that’s not enough to pique your interest to visit this location, also consider that the fort fully embraces its “haunted history” and offers many ways for you to explore the paranormal there. They have everything from guided tours to overnight investigations. Let’s assume you are planning to go all out and spend the night in the fort (I would recommend it if you can do it) and detail the places you will want to visit.

  Your first stop should most definitely be the casemates. Numerous encounters with entities in this area have earned it a reputation as an extremely active spot. Disembodied voices have been heard coming from empty cells, pale faces peering from the darkness have been seen, and visitors have also felt invisible hands touching them as they pass through. While the spirits don’t seem malevolent in any manner, this could be a potentially spooky area, so keep that in mind if you swing through.

  There is also a specific ghost that’s known as the “Faceless Man” who likes to roam the casemates. It’s believed that he was a prisoner held during the Civil War by the name of William Howe. He was a Union soldier who was imprisoned for killing a superior, and possibly desertion. As for the faceless appearance … Well, some say he hides his face in shame, but others say that since he was executed by hanging, he appears with the hood that covered his head during his execution.

  Once you’re finished with the casemates, you will want to visit the stomping grounds of the other two famous spirits of Fort Mifflin: The Screaming Lady and the Lamplighter. The former is thought to be the regretful spirit of a woman named Elizabeth Pratt. Her daughter shacked up with an officer in the fort and was given the cold shoulder for doing so. When her daughter died, Elizabeth committed suicide and now she haunts the old Officer’s Quarters building where her girl was living with her lover. While it’s rare that anyone actually sees the spirit of Elizabeth, the sounds of her screams are quite common.

  As for the Lamplighter, it’s said his story dates back to the Revolutionary War. He was one of the caretakers of the fort during that period and would make a nightly journey along the walls to carefully light all the lamps. His ghost is associated with the old Barracks Building, and those who have seen him say he appears as a dark silhouette with his lamp held out in front of him. Often a pale light signifies his appearance and he simply does his job regardless of who is around him.

  While these are all the best spots to look for paranormal doings in Fort Mifflin, be aware that almost every area of the site is considered haunted. Keep your eyes and ears open even as you are passing from one area to the next. You never know what you’ll come across.

  Fort Sumter

  Charleston, South Carolina

  Fort Sumter.

  The Battle of Fort Sumter occurred on April 12, 1861, and is considered the official starting point of the American Civil War. After seven states managed to secede from the Union the previous February, the Confederates seized military posts and armories within the boundaries of their respective states. Fort Sumter, however, was not one of these initial seizures. So when the Southern soldiers showed up on April 12, the fort found itself surrounded by enemy fire.

  Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard rotated fire on the fort from nearby Fort Moultrie, Cummings Point, and Fort Johnson. And though there were Union gunboats in the area, Fort Sumter received no aid from them. Two days later, on April 14, they surrendered after sustaining two full days of almost constant bombardment. The Confederate victory kicked off the war and initiated several post-battle events that sealed the fate of the country.

  Abraham Lincoln called upon the remaining states to supply volunteers for the Army—an act that would solidify Missouri and Kentucky as “neutral” states at the onset of the war—and cause four more states to secede and join the Confederacy.

  If all of this history is to your liking, you will want to listen to the historians at the Fort Sumter National Monument. They offer tours, host a top-notch visitor’s center, and even have a nice museum with artifacts from the fort’s past. The ghost story associated with Fort Sumter also has something to do with one of these artifacts—specifically, the flag that flew during the famous battle.

  According to the spooky tale, after the fort surrendered to Confederate soldiers, they allowed the men to salute the flag as it was lowered. Unfortunately, Major Robert Anderson had also arranged for a hundred-gun salute to occur during this ceremony, too, which resulted in one weapon misfiring and killing a soldier named Daniel Hough. It’s the poor soul of Daniel that’s said to now haunt the old fort.

  There have been multiple reports of seeing the apparition of Hough within the fort—sometimes standing and staring where the flag would have been, sometimes just walking through the area. One witness said his appearance was accompanied by the smell of gunpowder. Interestingly, local legend also says that Hough made his mark upon the flag he was saluting, too. Some say if you look at the original Fort Sumter flag (on display in the museum) you will see a faded spot on the flag that resembles the ghostly soldier roaming the grounds.

  Fort Donelson

  Dover, Tennessee

  Originally constructed by the Confederacy to watch over the Cumberland River, this fort was named after Brigadier General Daniel S. Donelson of the Confederate Army. It wasn’t standing long when troops under the command of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant marched on the fort on February 11, 1862. General Grant had just captured Fort Henry, which also guarded the river from Union invasion, so he was riding rather high upon his arrival.

  Brigadier General John B. Floyd, the commander of the fort, felt that he could withstand the attack by the Federals—and they did just that for nearly a week—but, unfortunately, he ultimately decided to attempt to shatter General Grant’s front line. General Floyd hurled everything he had at the Northern force, to no avail. With that failed attempt, the battle was over. Southern soldiers made an unconditional surrender. For Ulysses S. Grant, the victory meant a promotion to Major General; for the Federal Army it secured the state of Kentucky and created an entryway into the state of Tennessee.

  The Fort Donelson National Battlefield is a gorgeous park. Perched alongside the river, you can check out the battlements (with cannons), several monuments to the dead, and even the “Surrender House” (now called the Dover Hotel) where the cessation of hostilities was arranged. Ghosts also seem to have several spots within the park, too.

  In addition to the standard sound
s of battlefield activity, many claim to smell the scent of gunpowder floating in the wind while crossing the grounds. On occasion people even see the odd apparition of a dazed soldier making his way toward the hotel. This sort of activity is usually reported when a reenactment is occurring at the park. Another great ghost watching location is the national cemetery located on the grounds. It’s said to be haunted by the spirit of infantryman Reuben Hammond. “Old Reuben” has become a mascot of sorts for the battlefield, and those who work there often give him a greeting when entering the cemetery, where it’s said he looks over the dead.

  Perhaps the best haunted place at Fort Donelson, though, would be the Dover Hotel. As previously mentioned, it was the site of the surrender of the fort to Union forces, but today it is a living museum that you can visit. The ground floor features exhibits from the battle at the fort, and you can certainly take a tour of the exterior of the building. While you do this tour, however, you may want to have an audio recorder running. Visitors to the site say that disembodied voices can be heard, cold spots can be felt, and sometimes even the odd spirit will show itself.

  Fort Pillow

  Henning, Tennessee

  The Battle of Fort Pillow is more commonly known as the “Massacre of Fort Pillow,” thanks to an incident that occurred on April 12, 1864. Built in 1862 by Brigadier General Gideon Johnson Pillow, the fort managed to be occupied by both sides of the Civil War leading up to the day of the massacre. When the town of New Madrid, Missouri, fell to the North, Confederates fled to Fort Pillow. But they wouldn’t stay long before Federal troops ran them out of the area.

  And so when the Confederate cavalry, led by the infamous Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest, arrived at the fort in 1864, there was a mere 600 men defending the location. General Forrest brought at least three times as many men. The fight was fierce and short, and it ended with the Northern soldiers fleeing to the Mississippi River where a Union gunship was waiting. Well, some of them fled.