Ghosts of the Civil War

by Rich Newman

  In addition to the spectral soldiers, there is also the spirit of a glowing figure that’s been spotted within the tiny cemetery. Some believe the ghost is male—and most likely someone who is buried there. Others say the apparition is female, possibly the spirit of Ann Ralston James (the aforementioned wife of Frank James). The tales of Ann’s ghost even extend to other places in the vicinity of the graveyard; at least two different claims have been made that her spirit has been seen in the neighboring park, too.

  Whoever the glowing entity happens to be, stop by this small graveyard around dusk to stake out the activity there, and be sure to swing by Pitcher Cemetery, too, while you’re in the town of Independence.

  Pitcher Cemetery

  Independence, Missouri

  This small graveyard located in Independence, Missouri, doesn’t have much—just a few tombstones, a tale or two, and an interesting past associated with it.

  While most people have heard of the major battles of the American Civil War, and maybe even many of the smaller clashes and skirmishes, the divide that occurred within each state is often less discussed. Such was the case with Missouri. In the months leading up to the Civil War, unrest was already widespread within the state and also with their neighboring state, Kansas. From this conflict sprung two interesting groups: Jayhawkers and Quantrill’s Raiders.

  When the state of Kansas was trying to be admitted to the Union, a key issue was the subject of slavery. Those who supported the state being “free” were called Jayhawkers, and those who wanted to remain a slave state were known as Border Ruffians or Bushwackers (mostly because a lot of these people were from Missouri and did not want a free state as a neighbor). The late 1850s became an era known as “Bleeding Kansas,” with many clashes occurring between these two groups. Ultimately, Kansas would enter the Union as a free state and the Jayhawkers wouldn’t be needed again until the onset of the Civil War.

  Once the war began, a man named Charles Jennison was promoted to the rank of colonel and allowed to create the 7th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. Known locally as “Jennison’s Jayhawkers,” this troop raided into Missouri to support the Union cause and keep Confederate skirmishers from gaining too much power, land, and influence in the area. Of course, he had some rather strong opposition from a man named William Quantrill.

  Quantrill began his less-than-illustrious career as a pro-slavery raider by kidnapping freed slaves from Kansas and returning them to their owners. After a stint in Texas, he then returned to Missouri to hook up with General Sterling Price and his army in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Once that was over, he then deserted General Price’s army and created his own. At that point, Quantrill’s Raiders became a notorious group in the state—becoming criminals after a bloody event in 1863 now known as the Lawrence Massacre.

  So where does Pitcher Cemetery come into all this? Well, this cemetery was a family plot created by Colonel Thomas Pitcher, a Confederate participant in the war. He owned a mill (Pitcher’s Mill) and left his family behind to watch over it as he joined up with General Sterling Price to fight in the southern portion of the state. While he was gone, Colonel Jennison showed up with his Jayhawkers and burned the mill to the ground. Pitcher’s wife, Nancy, reported that the Jayhawkers had stolen everything they could (including their slaves), killed all the men and boys (even as young as ten years old), and destroyed everything else.

  Quantrill and his men passed the burned mill just after the Jayhawkers had set fire to it, caught up with a detachment of the Union troops, and quickly dispatched them. As for Colonel Pitcher, he fought with General Price through the war and eventually passed away (I couldn’t find a record that stated if he died in battle or after the war). He was then buried in the family plot, along with many of his Confederate battle buddies.

  As for the ghosts, they seem to be associated with the graves of the Confederate soldiers. People have seen apparitions and balls of light in this area and heard bizarre disembodied voices (whispers and moans). Several local paranormal groups have investigated this cemetery with mixed results, but it’s worth taking a look if you’re in the area.

  Lone Jack Battlefield Cemetery

  Lone Jack, Missouri

  As part of the Lone Jack Battlefield Museum, this small cemetery would be easy to miss. Unless you were specifically doing some ghost hunting in this part of Missouri. Much like the infamous battle, the ghost stories surrounding the tiny town of Lone Jack are well known throughout the area. It all dates back to August 15, 1862.

  Missouri was considered a “neutral” state at the onset of the American Civil War, but that didn’t stop both sides from constantly trying to acquire the territory. As a result, guerilla warfare raged throughout the state for most of the conflict. And this was what occurred at Lone Jack. It all started when Major Emory S. Foster marched his Union troops into town. He wasn’t there long when he discovered that a Confederate force was camping a short distance away.

  Major Foster quickly marched his men and attacked the Rebels, dispersing them in short order. However, he made the mistake of using his cannon when he attacked them; every Confederate element in the area heard the fire and quickly determined to assault the Union force at Lone Jack the following day. So when the Northern troops woke the next morning, they found themselves being attacked on two sides.

  The Confederates won the day—and Major Foster was wounded in battle—but their victory was short lived. Reinforcements were already en route to the battle when it began, and once they arrived, the Southern force was thoroughly routed. Major Foster was heavily criticized by his superiors for engaging the enemy before his reinforcements had arrived. And once he was attacked in Lone Jack, the Major had refused to surrender. But this was because Major Foster feared that Quantrill’s Raiders were part of the attack. They were known for their brutality with prisoners. In reality, though, only one of Quantrill’s famous groups was among the attackers: Cole Younger, who would later be part of the famous James-Younger Gang.

  What makes the trip to Lone Jack so interesting today (other than the ghosts, of course) is that the museum has done a wonderful job of preserving the history of this skirmish. With artifacts inside and employees who can direct you to all the strategic points of interest close by, it makes a great place to kick off some hardcore ghost hunting.

  Spirits from the battle have been seen around town for quite some time—and there seems to be a lot of local stories concerning these encounters. Reenactors have bumped into spectral soldiers in the field, farmers have seen apparitions while working their land, and several witnesses have seen paranormal doings in the cemetery. Much like the other places, the ghosts seem to be in uniform—sometimes even carrying their weapons—like they are looking for the battle that ended for them a long time ago.

  Springfield National Cemetery

  Springfield, Missouri

  Created in 1867 as a Confederate-only graveyard, Springfield National Cemetery covers over eighteen acres of land and has more than 14,000 buried there. It was a necessary addition to the city of Springfield following the war and, specifically, the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. But it wouldn’t remain a place for only Confederate dead for long; years later the cemetery was expanded to include not only Union troops who perished in the Civil War, but also veterans from many wars. Believe it or not, there are even soldiers from the Revolutionary War buried there.

  The Battle of Wilson’s Creek occurred on August 10, 1861, and was a pivotal moment in deciding the fate of the state of Missouri. Like its neighbor Kentucky, Missouri was a “neutral” state filled with internal conflict between those who wished to stay with the Union and those who wanted to secede.

  It began when Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon ushered his Federal troops in a surprise attack against Major General Sterling Price and his Rebels. On an area now known as “Bloody Hill,” General Lyon quickly overpowered his enemy. However, counterattacks from the Confederate fo
rce slowly wore the Northern men down. After repulsing three counterattacks, General Lyon was shot in the heart and killed. His men, now under the command of Major Samuel Sturgis, soon retreated rather than risk a fourth attack.

  Casualties were over 2,500 men, and neither side were able to really pursue the other. Eventually, General Price took the Southern Army farther into the state, but was unable to ever sway the powers there to join the Confederacy. Instead, he pushed out of the state into Arkansas until the end of the war.

  If you take a tour of the Springfield National Cemetery, you will notice there are several monuments concerning the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. There is, specifically, a stone memorial to the battle, a marble pillar that’s dedicated to the fallen General Lyon, and even a bronze sculpture of General Price. Of course, you probably want to see an altogether different sight at the cemetery: ghosts!

  Though there are a couple eyewitness accounts of an actual apparition at this location (both times it was a Confederate soldier); most of the stories about this place concern ghostly balls of light seen darting among the tombstones. These ghost lights, as well as wandering mists, have been seen by a number of people, making up the bulk of the stories told about this particular haunted spot. But, hey, any ghost is a good ghost, right? Be sure to visit the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield nearby, too, after you’ve done your ghost hunting.

  Riverside Cemetery

  Asheville, North Carolina

  While most of the locations listed in this chapter feature a single ghost—or, perhaps, a couple of them—you may be surprised to learn that this particular cemetery is known for a whole phantom army. Paranormal investigators usually term such a haunting as being “residual” in nature, and it seems this is the case with the spirits at this location.

  The Battle of Asheville was one of the last engagements of the American Civil War, and it happened on April 6, 1865. It began when Union Colonel Isaac B. Kirby marched with just under 1,000 troops from Greeneville, Tennessee, to scout the area around the city of Asheville. But thanks to the Union force looting, burning, and recruiting all the way there, Confederate administrator Colonel John B. Parker learned of his approach.

  With little time to spare, Colonel Parker managed to muster just under 200 men (made up of home guard personnel and regular soldiers who happened to be in the city) at a fortified position alongside the French Broad River. He also had cannons to strengthen his men and just enough time to get them entrenched before the Union force appeared before them.

  The actual battle was short; because of the cannon fire and limited visibility, Colonel Kirby believed he was fighting a much larger force than there was, and so he retreated. The Rebels celebrated their victory until another larger force swept into the city a couple weeks later, just before the end of the war.

  With this knowledge in hand, it’s pretty clear that the ghostly army seen at Riverside Cemetery is supposed to be that of the Confederates marching out to the river. The cemetery was founded in 1885, so this particular area would have been an open field during the time of the battle. According to those who have seen the procession of the spirits across the cemetery, they seem to suddenly appear, already in the act of marching. Then, after they get about 100 feet away, they disappear again.

  It’s definitely an interesting haunting worth checking out if you’re in the vicinity. While you’re there, you may want to take the historical tour offered by the cemetery office; in addition to the ghost story, the cemetery is the last resting place for a couple famous luminaries, Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry.

  Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery

  Columbus, Ohio

  Established shortly after the beginning of the American Civil War, Camp Chase dates to May 1861. It replaced Camp Jackson, which was located at the same spot and served as a training post for soldiers from Ohio. Later the camp was also used to hold Confederate prisoners of war. As many as 150,000 troops trained at this location—and over 25,000 prisoners cycled through during the years of the war. At the height of operations in 1865, the camp was housing over 9,000 prisoners and, unfortunately, quite a few of them never left.

  More than 2,000 Confederates perished while being held captive at Camp Chase and were buried in the nearby cemetery. And while the actual camp is no longer around (the grounds were purchased and turned into a residential/commercial area known as “Westgate”), the cemetery is certainly still there. It, along with the resident ghost known as the “Lady in Gray,” is well known in Columbus and the rest of Ohio.

  Depending on who you ask, the story of the Lady in Gray may or may not have many details. The basic story is that the spirit of a woman dressed in a gray Civil War-era “traveling suit” is seen walking through the graveyard in an advanced state of sorrow. Those who see her say they feel an overwhelming sense of despair and sadness when she appears. She’s been seen by graves, walking through trees on the property, and even standing at the gates of the cemetery.

  Now if you dig a little deeper, you may find out a few more details about the ghost, too. Just know these are debated among the various paranormal groups and locals in Columbus.

  Some say the woman is named Louisiana Rainsburgh Briggs and that she’s mourning a Confederate soldier buried in the cemetery. Others say she likes to visit two particular graves: The grave of an unknown soldier and the grave of one Benjamin F. Allen. And she doesn’t just cry over the graves. She actually leaves flowers there! Whether you want to accept these details of the story about the Lady in Gray is up to you. Just know that sightings of the specter date back decades, and even an entire reenactment group reportedly heard the weeping of the lady carried along the breeze.

  Church of the Holy Cross Cemetery

  Sumter, South Carolina

  Dating back to 1850, the Church of the Holy Cross was built on the site of an even older church, the Episcopal Church of Claremont. Designed by famous architect Edward C. Jones, the church is a magnificent example of “rammed earth” style construction—as well as a picture perfect Victorian High Gothic Revival style. The church, as well as the Borough House Plantation, make up the Stateburg Historic District.

  Stateburg was the original name of the town when it was founded in 1783 by General Thomas Sumter. It held that name until the area was devastated in 1865 by Union soldiers under the command of Brigadier General Edward E. Potter.

  The Battle of Stateburg began when General Potter decided to take out the railroad running between Stateburg and the town of Camden. And so when he advanced to Stateburg, he found the Confederates had shored up a defense behind the 9th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. The Rebels managed to stop the first advance by the Federal troops, but when the rest of General Potter’s division arrived, it was all the Southern soldiers could do to simply halt their advance.

  By the end of it, the Union Army simply bypassed the town of Stateburg and tackled their objective directly in the city of Camden. The aftermath of the battle was, of course, a number of dead and an almost complete destruction of the town. The Church of the Holy Cross helped with the burials in their own cemetery and assisted the town with rebuilding. As for the ghosts there …

  Well, there seems to be two. The first is the spirit of a Confederate soldier who likes to approach people for help. The story goes that if you’re in the cemetery around dusk, you may notice a man in a gray uniform approach you with his arms outstretched. He will continue toward you until he’s a couple feet away, then he simply disappears. Needless to say there have been a few freaked-out eyewitnesses.

  As for the second ghost, not much is known, except that the spirit is female and she likes to climb trees, or at least she likes to sit in them—three people have claimed to have seen the ghost of a young girl sitting on the branch of a tree, watching over the cemetery. Nobody knows who she is, but she seems to be dressed in early 1900s style attire.

  When you finish looking for these two, you might take a stroll throug
h the church if it’s open. With some beautiful stained-glass windows and an original 1851 Henry Erben organ, it’s quite the sight.

  Chattanooga National Cemetery

  Chattanooga, Tennessee

  Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga.

  If you drove past the small patch of grass and trees between East Third and East Fifth Streets in Chattanooga, you probably wouldn’t give it a second look. Unless of course you saw the bizarre sight of ghostly soldiers standing at attention.

  During 1862 and 1863, Chattanooga was the center of Civil War action. There were three battles that involved the city—two were minor affairs, but the third was a major seize initiated by Confederate General Braxton Bragg.

  After his defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga (located just south of the city of Chattanooga), Union Major General William S. Rosecrans fled north to the city to recover. Because of Chattanooga’s strategic importance as a railroad center and port on the Tennessee River, General Bragg determined to root out the Federals there. General Ulysses S. Grant would have something to say about that, however.

  Once he had assumed command of the western front for the US Army, General Grant determined to help the Northern force under siege in Chattanooga. First he opened up the Tennessee River for supplies to enter the city (known then as the “Cracker Line”), then he sent in Major General William T. Sherman with his troops to shore up the strength of the army there. Then the battles began. Attacks on nearby Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain both proved successful. And though an attack on Tunnel Hill would initially fail, a second push created a Union victory and drove Confederate forces completely from the area.