Ghosts of Antietam - Sharpsburg, Maryland

The small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland lies in the narrow strip of the state between Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Just east of the town winds a small stream known as Antietam Creek bordered by farms. This patch of farmland would forever change when the Confederate and Union Armies clashed one September day in 1862. The Battle of Antietam became known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War with over twenty three thousand men dead or wounded in a single day and many those souls, still linger.

The Sunken Road or 'Bloody Lane' as it would later be known as at Antietam Battlefield near Sharpsburg, Maryland

The Battle

The battle began in a cornfield north of Sharpsburg, where hundreds of men were cut down after the tall corn did them no good as cover as it was mowed down along with them.

The fighting then moved southeast just to the east of town. A sunken road which divided the Piper farm from the Roulette farm served as natural earthworks for the Confederate soldiers, so they dug in. They held this ground fiercely for hours. They were confronted at one point by the Irish Brigade, screaming their Irish battle cry as they charged the sunken road.  Over half of the Irish were cut down by the confederates. Eventually the Union soldiers gained a position where they could get a clear line of sight down into the road and then the slaughter of the Rebel soldiers began. It is believed at the end, the sunken road was piled five deep with dead Confederate soldiers. It was hence known as "Bloody Lane".

The 'Bloody Lane' at Antietam Battlefield as it is seen today.

By afternoon, the battle had moved south east of Sharpsburg as Confederate soldiers attempted to hold the town when Union forces led by General Burnside in defense of Washington, D.C., made an effort to cross Antietam Creek and confront the Rebel forces. This crossing became known as Burnside Bridge as onslaught after onslaught of Federal soldiers poured across and finally overwhelmed the defending Confederate troops. Commanding General Robert E. Lee withdrew his forces across the Potomac River the following day, retreating into Virginia.

Antietam Battlefield map showing troop movements on the day of the battle.

Nine months after the Battle of Antietam, the Confederates were on the move north again on their way to what would soon turn out to be another of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. On their northward march, they passed through the grizzly battlefield of Antietam.  Bones of their fallen comrades still lay in the fields on the open ground.

The Hauntings

Today all around the Antietam Battlefield National Park, there are upside down canon barrels that mark the location of where Generals leading the battle fell to their death.  Some people claim to have seen wispy clouds of mist floating around these markers, believed to be the spirits of the fallen Generals.

The Pry House, located in the midst of the battlefield, served as Union General McClellan's headquarters during the battle. A wounded General, Israel Richardson, was taken there were he was nursed by his wife. He remained there for months after the battle until he eventually passed away.  The house is now a field hospital museum. Many who have been in the house have seen a woman dressed in a Civil War era dress.  She has also been spotted standing in the window of the room where her husband died. Some claim to have heard footsteps in the house and it is believed to be the spirit of Fannie Richardson, still watching over her husband.

The Pry House served as General McClellan's headquarters during the Battle of Antietam and is thought to be haunted by the wife of a General that died there.

The Grove Farm served as a makeshift hospital for Confederate Soldiers. Wounded soldiers unable to walk, were left here after the retreat. The floors of the house were covered in blood. To this day, the blood stains remain despite many efforts to remove them.

Burnside Bridge, where the final charge by Union forces brought the battle to an end, was the hasty burial place for many solders who met their demise there. Civil war reinactors who have spent much time at the bridge, have seen blue balls of light and have heard beating drums near this location on many occasions.

Burnside Bridge at Antietam Battlefield is thought to be haunted by the sounds of dead soldiers buried near the bridge.  Photo credit: Antietam National Battlefield Memorial - Burnside's Bridge 06" by myself (User:Piotrus) - Own work (taken by myself). Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

And then there is The Sunken Road. This is probably the most haunted location of the Antietam Battlefield. Some visitors to the site claim to hear the sounds of battle still taking place including gun fire, canon shot and battle cries. The most chilling tale is that of a group of school children who visited the site. Later in class, they recanted that their favorite part was hearing the battle at The Sunken Road and hearing a song much like "Deck the Halls" being sung. It has been noted that the battle cry of the Irish Brigade "clearing the way” in Gaelic is "Faugh-a-Balaugh!"  


Location:
Antietam National Battlefield
5831 Dunker Church Road
Sharpsburg, MD 21782

39.47000    -77.74000



Plan a visit:  http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/index.htm



 

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antietam_National_Battlefield
http://www.nps.gov/anti/
http://www.militaryghosts.com/antietam.html
http://www.prairieghosts.com/antietam.html

The Devil's Tree -- Somerset County, New Jersey

In an open field in Somerset County, New Jersey, stands a centuries old tree that is has built up an ominous reputation over the years.  It began it's notorious history back in colonial times.  Legend has it that when slaves became unruly for some locals, they made examples out of them by hanging them from this tree.  Thus began a history that would tarnish this unworldly looking oak for all time.

Some decades later, folks tell of a man who went insane.  One dark night, he went about murdering his entire family.  Realizing what he had done, he went to the hanging tree and proceeded to hang himself from it.  During the post Civil War era, the Klu Klux Klan members were s no stranger to the hanging tree.  Their favorite activity?  Lynching a number of African Americans from a very large branch that stuck out of the side of the tree at the same time.  After this horrible era, and the KKK was on the decline, the lynchings pretty much came to an end.  However, the reputation of what would become known as The Devil's Tree had just begun.

The Devil's Tree along Mountain Road in Somerset County, New Jersey is thought to be haunted by former slaves and others who were killed there over the years.

Many would visit the tree, knowing of it's torrid reputation.  Many who would touch the tree would report that whatever part of their body they touched the tree with, would turn black.  A black substance which could not be identified and would not come off easily.  Now it would be understandable if it were a walnut tree, but this is a mighty oak.

Then, some visors to the tree would see a faint out line of a noose hanging from the large branch where many met their deaths.  Except when they approached closer, there would be nothing!  Over time some folks began to believe the tree was really possessed by the Devil.  Attempts were made to cut down the tree, but they failed in some way or another.  One vandal, did manage to cut off the large branch that was known as "the hanging branch".

Many visitors say the tree possesses some strange energy which causes strange and bizarre things to happen when people are around it. The tree still stands today, protected by wire mesh so as to not only protect the tree from damage, but to protect those who may attempt to touch it so that they may not absorb it's evil!

Location:
120-156 Mountain Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
N 40° 37.810 W 074° 34.979

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Tree
http://weirdnj.com/stories/devils-tree/

The Ghost of Lizzy Rowland - Edgewood Plantation - Charles City, Virginia

The American Civil War left very few areas of the Southern United States untouched by tragedy, loss and drama.  The Edgewood Plantation in Charles City, Virginia is no exception.  The third floor of the plantation house served as a lookout for the Confederate Army as it offered a great view of the area. It is rumored that the plantation may have served as a makeshift hospital during the war.  The lush gardens and landscape on the outside served as perfect cover for the devastation inside as wounded and dying soldiers occupied some of the rooms.  Some were lucky enough to leave, some were not. The grist mill on the property was used to grind grain to feed the soldiers encamped in the area.  

The Edgewood Plantation in Charles City, Virginia is said to be haunted by the ghost of Lizzy Rowland who wainted in vain for her lover during the Civil War.

One soul who resided at the Edgewood Plantation was a woman named Elizabeth "Lizzy" Rowland as her family owned it.   As many women of the day endured, Lizzy's lover went off to fight in the war.  She would stand by the windows in the upper floors watching for his return so that she may be reunited with him again.  Unfortunately for Lizzy, her waiting was in vain as her love never returned.  Devastated, she spent her final days at Edgewood, lonely and some say still hopefully waiting for her man to return from the war.  She passed away when she was 47, most likely warn down by her grief.

Some who have stayed at the Bed and Breakfast have reported seeing and hearing soldiers dressed in Confederate uniforms wandering aimlessly throughout the building.  Mostly likely spirits of the soldiers who died there when it served as a military hospital. Most of the paranormal sightings however, have been of a woman wandering the corridors of the plantation. It is believed that this is the ghost of Lizzy Rowland. Many travelers passing by the Edgewood Plantation over the years, say they have seen the image of a young woman in Civil War era clothing peering out a window of the upper floors.  It is thought that this is the ghost of Lizzy Rowland, still waiting for her lover in death as she did in life.  At some point during Lizzy's vigil, she carved her name into one of the window panes on the upper floor which can still be seen to this day.

Lizzy Rowland's name can still be seen etched into the window pane of an upstairs window of the Edwood Bed & Breakfast.  Photo: www.edgewoodplantation.com

Edgewood Bed & Breakfast
4800 John Tyler Memorial Highway
Charles City, VA 23030
1(804)829-2962
www.edgewoodplantation.com

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Spirits of Point Lookout Lighthouse - Scotland, Maryland

Built in 1830, Point Lookout Lighthouse guides the water traffic entering into the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay.  It has stood the test of time, guarding these waters for over 180 years.  However, over part of the lighthouse's history it has been manned by those of the spirit world.  Some believe it is the most haunted lighthouse in North America.

Point Lookout Lighthouse near Scotland, Maryland is thought to be the most haunted lighthouse in North America

The Point Lookout Lighthouse saw a lot of activity over the period of the Civil War.  It is said that prisoners may have been held there on the grounds, over twenty thousand to be exact.  A few may have died there as well, about four thousand!  They were buried there on the grounds, but most of the graves were relocated.  Lighthouse occupants have reported strange smells in within the building like the smell of death.  There have been reports of disembodied snoring sounds as well and furniture being moved around on it's own.  Doors have been known to open and slam shut on their own accord.

It is thought that ghosts of Civil War soldiers may haunt the lighthouse and grounds. Thousands of Confederate prisoners were buried here.

During the lifetime of the lighthouse operation, many shipwrecks occurred in the bay.  The Express was a well known wreck that occurred just of the point.  It is thought that one of the surviving crew rowed ashore in an attempt to get help.  Some believe this because of a spirit that has been spotted outside of the lighthouse on dreary, stormy nights.  The actual figure of a man in old sailor type clothing having a ragged distressed appearance has been seen standing outside on the porch of the lighthouse.  When approached he seems to disappear, moving back toward the water from where he came.  Sometimes the keepers could hear phantom voices outside as well as if someone were calling.

Monument at Point Lookout State Park dedicated to the Confederate prisoners of war who died here during the Civil War.

Today the lighthouse is owned by the State of Maryland as well as the surrounding area and parking is located at 11175 Point Lookout Road Scotland, MD.  It is also the location of what is now Point Lookout State Park.  The area is great for fishing, hiking, biking, boating, and of course you may try to sneak in a peak of a ghost or two.

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Devil's Den at Gettysburg Battlefield - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Just outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the former Civil War battlegrounds there lies a valley strewn with large rocks and boulders that looks like the Devil may have designed it himself.  Long before the Battle of Gettysburg ever took place, locals have referred to this place as the Devil's Den.  Thousands of Civil War soldiers died in the valley where the Devil's Den is located.  However, not only is it said that many ghosts of the Civil War haunt this battle ground, but spirits from a time prior to the Civil War as well.

The Devil's Den at Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, PA

Long before the likes of Lee and Meade ever walked the Gettysburg Battlefield, a Native American battle took place here in which many warriors were killed.  Then in July of 1863 for three long days, the Confederate Army of the South met the Union Army of the North at this location as well as the surrounding hills in the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.  There were approximately fifty thousand casualties suffered on both sides including over seven thousand killed.  On the second day of battle, heavy fighting occurred at Devil's Den as the Union soldiers who held the hill defended against the attacking Confederates.  The Union troops eventually lost control of the hill only to retake it again after many were killed on both sides.  The valley which is home to Devil's Hill was nicknamed "Death Valley".  The dead lay strewn around Devil's Den for weeks and some were thrown into the rocky crevices instead of being buried.

The Devil's Den, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as it appeared in the 1860s

The Devil's Den immediately after the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War

Throughout the early to mid 1800s, there have been reported stories from locals about hearing the sounds of Native American war cries coming from the Devil's Den.  Some claimed to have even seen the apparitions of warriors as if they were in the last death throws of battle.  After the Civil War battle at Gettysburg, reports started coming in of sightings of what many believe to be the ghost of a Confederate soldier roaming the Devil's Den.  It is believed that he is from the Confederate Army because the apparition is usually dressed in the style that the Texas regiment wore at the time of the battle.  He has been described as usually wearing buckskin clothes, and having long hair underneath a hat in the style that the southerners used to wear in that time period.  Some say that the apparition appeared to be barefoot.  Most of the Confederate soldiers had poor or no shoes and were raggedly dressed which matches the often rough or scraggly look of the ghost.  Many have nicknamed the ghost at Devil's Den the "hippie" because of the way he looks.

Baleroy mansion - The death chair - Philadelphia, PA

In Chestnut Hill, PA stands a mansion that has had inhabitants that go back to before the Civil War years.  The house was contructed in 1911 by the family of Civil War General George Meade.  The latest owner and descentant in the historic family line, George Gordon Meade Easby, passed away recently at the age of 87.

Ghosts of Fort Mifflin

Almost a ghost itself, Fort Mifflin still stands along the banks of the Delaware River on the outskirts of Philadelphia as if watching for a phantom enemy from the past.  Built in 1771, the fort was the scene of a large naval bombardment by the British during the Revolutionary War.  The fort held off the British assault on Philadelphia until General George Washington and his troops could retreat to Valley Forge.  The fort was active through the Civil War up until 1952 when it was abandoned as a military installation.  It is now home to many ghosts from various eras.

Entrance to Fort Mifflin

A ghostly image of a lamplighter can be seen strolling near the soldier's barracks.  During the days of yesteryear, he must have fulfilled his duties nightly by walking around lighting the lanterns and light fixtures around the fort.  Not wanting to relinquish these duties, he still wanders the grounds.

A captain from the civil war era can also be seen inspecting the gun emplacements, making sure all is ready for the next ethereal assault.

Near the powder magazine, a revolutionary era soldier can be seen sitting cleaning his gun.  Many folks have returned from their tour and complimented the staff on the revolutionary re-inactor, only to be told that there was no re-in actors at the fort.  They have nicknamed him "Amos".

Fort Mifflin powder magazine

At one point during the active lifetime of the fort, a blacksmith named Jason liked to keep the doors to his shop open all of the time.  The commander of the fort wished them to be closed for obvious reasons.  Today the doors to the blacksmith shop seem to open all by themselves.

Blacksmith shop at Fort Mifflin

The outer casements seem to be the site of a concentration of civil war phantoms. What appears to be a confederate prisoner of war can be seen in this area.  The fort was used to house confederate prisoners during the Civil War. Just outside the casements a Federal soldier has been spotted sitting. When a closer approach is taken, it becomes apparent that the man does not have a face.

View of the Delaware River from Fort Mifflin's walls