Ghosts of the Civil War

by Rich Newman

  Harney Mansion

  Sullivan, Missouri

  William Selby Harney was a Brevet Major General in the United States Army who served in the Mexican-American War and Indian Wars. When the Civil War began, General Harney was the commander of Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri. But after the Camp Jackson Affair—and a series of bad negotiations with Confederate General Sterling Price—he was replaced by Captain Nathaniel Lyon. General Harney made his way to Washington, DC to discuss these matters with his superiors, but was captured by Confederates en route. Harney wouldn’t agree to serve with the Confederacy and, because his birth state was Tennessee, he was allowed to continue to Washington, DC.

  The Harney Mansion was the home of this famous general. It was built in 1872 after he had retired permanently from the Army. It is currently managed by a non-profit, but can be visited by arrangement through the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. It is because of this that the mansion is now one of the most popular ghost hunting spots in Missouri. Many investigative groups (as well as thrill seekers) have rented the mansion for an overnight visit. While it’s a bit murky who haunts the mansion (some have proposed that it’s the general, others think family members), most who have visited the home have left with an experience or two. Shadowy figures have been seen scooting along walls, disembodied voices (and EVPs) have been captured, and the usual collection of ghostly sounds—footsteps, bangs, knocks, etc.—are quite common.

  Smith-McDowell House Museum

  Asheville, North Carolina

  This home is the oldest house in the city of Asheville—and since it was quite large for its day, it is also considered the first mansion built there. It was constructed in the 1840s for James McConnell Smith and would remain in his family until after the Civil War. At the onset of the war, the residents were William Wallace McDowell and Sarah Lucinda Smith McDowell. William would actually organize a group of volunteer Confederates called the Buncombe Riflemen and rise to the rank of major during the conflict. His house, however, would (at one point) be usurped by Union soldiers for a time.

  If you make a visit to Asheville (and you should), be sure to swing by this location. It is an awesome sight. With four floors in the home, two rows of exterior porches, and a unique Federal look, it’s an architectural marvel. It’s located these days on the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College campus and tours are offered there. Just be sure you ask your tour guide to tell you about their resident ghosts. The mansion seems to have somewhere between one and six of them. Depending on the source (local press, local legend, or ghost hunters), you may get one or more of these details: Two small girls haunt the home (named Carrie and Sarah), an evil spirit walks the grounds outside (nicknamed the “Dark One”), the spirit of a slave master is present (and angry), and several former family members have been seen and heard in various spots. Good luck!

  Sandford House

  Fayetteville, North Carolina

  Heritage Square is an area in town that’s owned by the Women’s Club of Fayetteville. It includes the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks House (circa 1804), the Oval Ballroom (built in 1818), and the Sandford House that dates back to 1797. Built for Duncan McLeran, the Sandford House was a vital part of the community when the Civil War occurred. Legend states that General Sherman temporarily used the house as barracks while the Union Army occupied the city of Fayetteville, but this has not been historically authenticated. One thing that is certain, though, is that the home was used extensively for social events by the families that lived there over the years. And you can use it for your events today.

  The Women’s Club rents out the home, as well as the grounds, for weddings and other shindigs. Most come because they want to use the ornate and beautiful grand staircase in the house for their wedding photos. It should be noted that this same staircase is also of interest to the ghost hunting crowd as well. It’s said that the apparition of a woman has been seen ascending and descending the staircase on a number of occasions. Those who have seen her say she disappears when she reaches the opposite end of the stairs. Other than this, there doesn’t seem to be any other activity attributed to the ghost. It makes for a nice, mellow haunted visit.

  Harper House

  Four Oaks, North Carolina

  The Harper House is part of the Bentonville Battlefield and is located near the Bentonville Battlefield Museum. It once belonged to John and Amy Harper and was finished sometime in the 1850s. When the Battle of Bentonville occurred, the Union Army quickly occupied the house, turning it into a field hospital. It’s said that over five hundred people were treated at the home, with the family members pitching in to help out the military doctors. Many who died in the battle were buried nearby, with more than three hundred and fifty Confederates buried in one mass grave (now commemorated with a monument that was dedicated by the Goldsboro Rifles in 1893).

  Since the home is now part of the Bentonville Battlefield historic site, it is periodically opened for tours. The spirit of John Harper is said to still be in the home and is often seen peering from the windows there. At night, employees say the house will often “light up” as if someone inside is lighting a candle or lamp and strange sounds will be heard, sometimes sounding like the moans and groans coming from the hospital that was once located there. Take your time exploring this battlefield and all its attractions. It’s a beautiful and tragic destination.

  Attmore-Oliver House

  New Bern, North Carolina

  Samuel Chapman built this beautiful house sometime around 1790. After retiring from the Continental Army, he had moved permanently to New Bern to work for the Craven County Supreme Court—and after he passed away in 1807, his daughter moved in. Like most historic homes in the area, the Attmore-Oliver House (and its residents) was affected by the Battle of New Bern. Well … battles, actually. Clashes occurred in the city in 1862 and 1864. And if you’d like to learn more about these affairs, a trip to this house just may be your ticket.

  While the Attmore-Oliver House is now the headquarters of the New Bern Historical Society, they do have exhibitions in the home and offer tours to the public during the week (though you may want to call them in advance). The first floor of the place has artifacts and displays about the Battle of New Bern, and the staff will be more than happy to tell you all about that clash. What’s even more interesting than all of this, however, is that these artifacts may be the cause of the haunting of this place, too.

  It seems members of the society, as well as guests who have visited, have experienced “poltergeist” like activity in the home (objects moving, bangs and knocks, etc.). Some say this is a product of spirits—perhaps members of the Chapman family—and some say the activity stems from all the negative energy contained in the Civil War items. Either way, a visit to this mansion, along with a trip to the New Bern Battlefield Park, should satisfy your curiosity.

  The Harvey Mansion

  New Bern, North Carolina

  Known for its renowned restaurant, the Harvey Mansion dates to 1804 and local ship owner, John Harvey. Having emigrated from England to the small seaport village of New Bern, John used the home as a base of operations for his seafaring until his death. During the Civil War, the home still belonged to the Harvey family while the city of New Bern was occupied by Union troops—and the mansion was used as the military provost headquarters.

  Once the war was over, the house functioned as a dormitory and apartment building, and the house even served as a local university (Craven Community College). Now it is a local eatery known for an eclectic mix of pub fare and home cooking (check out the pimiento dip if you go). It’s a bonus, really, that you might also have a haunted experience while you visit the place. There’s said to be two ghosts—the spirit of a young woman who walks through the dining room at odd times (right through the walls) and a young boy that is known for playfully tugging on visitors clothes and giggling. Consider it a paranormal dessert for after your meal.

>   Foscue Plantation

  Pollocksville, North Carolina

  Simon Foscue, Jr. built this wonderful farm house in 1824 on the Trent River. His family prospered in the first half of the century, but as was the case with a lot of the families in the South, their fortunes were dashed with the end of the Civil War. The best way to learn just how difficult the times were for families back then is to take a tour of this property. Tour guides will not only show you some fine examples of high-style antebellum antiques, but you will hear about the difficulties the Foscue family endured with reconstruction, recovering from the loss of slave labor, and living in an economy that was in shambles.

  Interestingly, the tales of ghosts on this property have been around for almost as long as the house itself. It’s said to be haunted by the spirits of the slaves who lived and died on the property. While history shines a pretty positive light on the Foscue family and their history, legend states that Simon was a harsh taskmaster and would execute harsh punishment on the slaves that he deemed lacking. Because of this, these miserable spirits are still active in the home today. Moans and groans are heard in the attic (where slaves were reportedly held in a dungeon-like manner for punishment), footsteps and bangs are heard in various rooms, and the atmosphere of the place (after dark anyway) seems particularly heavy at times. Perhaps they should consider doing ghost tours.

  Vance Birthplace

  Weaverville, North Carolina

  Zebulon Baird Vance was an officer for the Confederacy during the American Civil War—and he was elected governor twice. His birthplace, located in the town of Weaverville, was reconstructed in modern times around the original home’s chimneys and made to resemble an authentic log house from the late 1700s. During the Civil War, Vance was promoted to the rank of colonel, and he led a unit known as the “Rough and Ready Guards.” He lead these men in the Battles of New Bern, Richmond, and Gettysburg. Once the war was over, Vance spent some time in a Federal prison before being pardoned for his part in the war.

  The Vance Birthplace is now a tribute to all things Zebulon—as well as a grand example of life during pioneer times. It’s been recreated in such a historical fashion that apparently several ghosts from that era have decided to hang out there. It’s unsure if the activity is residual (meaning, the ghosts ignore the living and are stuck in a sort of “time loop”) or intelligent, but visitors there claim to see multiple apparitions dressed in period clothing. Sometimes they appear to be doing their own thing, such as working on the farm. Sometimes they seem to be watching the tourists. One theory is that they are people who were buried in the historic cemetery down the road. Perhaps they were neighbors of the Vance family.

  Cashtown Inn

  Cashtown, Pennsylvania

  Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill.

  While the Battle of Gettysburg was under way just eight miles away, the small town of Cashtown was transformed into a massive Confederate camp. General A.P. Hill used the inn as his headquarters as he sent his men under the command of Major General Henry Heth to the city of Gettysburg for supplies. And the rest is history. The inn was created in 1815 “for the entertainment of strangers and travelers” (though the actual building dates back to 1797) and was named after innkeeper Peter Marck’s habit of only accepting cash as payment. Today it is a thriving inn and restaurant known for its proximity to the battlefield and, of course, its ghosts.

  Activity in this location seems to be of the norm; doors open and close by themselves, the sounds of footsteps are often heard, and a playful ghost likes to knock on doors and walls. There’s some disagreement as to who the spirits are; some say they were members of the family of the various innkeepers over the years, some say they are soldiers who wanted to return to the last nice place they saw before they died on the battlefield. Either way, they are extremely active and visitors regularly have ghostly experiences. Interestingly, there does seem to be a unique type of spirit at the inn; the ghosts of several horses are said to appear outside the downstairs window, whinnying and stamping.

  Farnsworth House Inn

  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

  Named after Brigadier General Elon John Farnsworth, this inn was built in 1810. It offers ten rooms for tired travelers and the historic Sweney’s Tavern for those in the mood for some good food and drink. General Farnsworth is known for the charge he made, just after the famous Pickett’s Charge, during the Battle of Gettysburg. He was killed in the attack, along with sixty-five of his men. Confederate sharpshooters (a sort of sniper back in the day) used the upper floor of the Farnsworth House to shoot at the enemy—and it’s been proposed that one of them may have been responsible for shooting the only civilian casualty of the conflict, Jennie Wade. Once the battle was finished, the inn was also used as a hospital.

  For the ghost hunter, the Farnsworth House Inn is another must-see attraction. And, thankfully, they offer ghost tours for those who are interested in the subject. Actually, they offer multiple tours with multiple themes. As you walk through the house, pay special attention to the attic; it’s said the ghostly sounds of gun shots can still be heard from the snipers who were perched there. Also be sure to see the basement if you can. A spirit is said to often sing down there and the apparition of a soldier can be seen carrying a wounded man down the stairs. In addition to this, there’s also a female spirit named “Mary,” who is believed to have been a nurse. Sounds fun, right?

  Gettysburg Hotel

  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

  Established in 1797, the Gettysburg Hotel is a plush getaway for you to stay in while exploring the history and haunting filled city of Gettysburg. Much like the rest of the area, this hotel has embraced its haunted reputation and periodically hosts events for the paranormal enthusiast. During the Civil War, the hotel was actually a tavern by the name of McClellan Brothers, and it was used as a military hospital to assist those wounded in the nearby battle. It is a remnant of this period that’s behind the well-known spirit in the Gettysburg Hotel: Rachel.

  For decades people have seen the apparition of a female nurse in various spots in the hotel. She’s known to play with guests' belongings, mess up their beds, and even move the carts that are used for room service. In addition to Rachel, there’s a spirit that’s been seen in the ballroom; she’s decked out in 1800s attire and seems to be enjoying some ethereal music. Lastly, there is the ghost of a Union soldier named “James Culbertson,” who seems to be nursing a wound. Clearly he did not survive said wound.

  Jennie Wade House Museum

  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

  Mary Virginia (“Jennie”) Wade was the only direct civilian death involved with the Battle of Gettysburg. She was at her sister’s home on July 3, 1863 (day three of the battle), baking some bread for Union troops when a stray Minie ball came through the door and struck her. Sadly, the shot went straight through her heart, killing her instantly. Those who were there were so moved by the incident that she was later granted a military pension. After all, she had been killed in the act of serving the Union Army.

  While there’s not much to this story, there’s plenty to see and do at the Jennie Wade House Museum. Especially if you’re including all the ghostly activity that’s happening there. Often cited as “one of the most haunted” houses in America, tales of spiritual encounters are quite common with those who visit the museum. There seems to be at least three ghosts on the property.

  First there’s the spirit of Jennie. She’s been seen and heard in the kitchen and most of the first floor. They say you know she’s around when you smell either perfume or the scent of bread baking. Then there’s a male spirit that’s been encountered a number of times. He also is known for a scent: cigars. Most believe he is a family member who passed away, but some have said he could be Corporal Johnston Hastings Skelly, a soldier who was reputed to be Jennie’s fiancé (he passed away just a few days after Jennie because of a wound received at the Battle of Winchester). The last spirit
of the home is that of a child; the second floor is where they like to play. People have heard childish laughter, and when toys are left behind, they get moved, etc.

  Tillie Pierce House Inn

  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

  Matilda J. Pierce was only fifteen years old when the Battle of Gettysburg happened. She was staying at a nearby farmhouse that belonged to Jacob Weikert during the fighting, but it quickly became apparent that the clash was coming to them. The farmhouse was perched at the base of Little Round Top, an area that is known for some particularly vicious fighting during the battle. “Tillie” Pierce quickly helped out with the wounded and assisted doctors and nurses who soon found themselves overwhelmed with casualties. She survived the battle and wrote a book about the ordeal.

  The Tillie Pierce House Inn is named for this heroic young woman and it offers an upscale experience from the standard bed and breakfast. With a twenty-four hour hospitality room and its proximity to the sights of Gettysburg, it makes a great start to your trip there. The attic of the inn is haunted with the spirit of a soldier who perished during the battle. People who stay on the second floor often hear the heavy footsteps of the ghost over their head—and visitors have seen his apparition walk right through the door and into their room. The ghost is generally blamed for most things that happen there (lights turning on and off, items being moved, raps on the door, etc.). Ghost hunters suggest staying in the “Blue Room” for your best chance to see (or hear) this spirit.

  Built in 1816, this historic home used to sit on the corner of Scott and Prince Streets, but was it moved to its current location on King Street in 1973. Originally the home of William Wigg Barnwell, this house has had its fair share of bad luck. During the American Civil War, the estate was taken by the Union Army to be used as a field hospital; it’s said that hundreds died there while under the knife. And then there’s the more recent bad luck: Slated for demolition on a regular basis, the property has only barely been able to escape this fate a number of times.