Ghosts of the Civil War

by Rich Newman

  Activity in the school is well known with faculty and students, and these include objects that move by themselves, doors that open and close, and sounds that seem to indicate someone invisible is standing among the students. These sounds are usually footsteps, though heavy breathing and disembodied voices are said to occur as well. If you get permission to take a trip through the school, be sure to swing through the library. There are stories of books floating through the air and chairs moving by themselves, and even one person reported seeing an apparition.

  Some say the haunting of the school, as well as other places located in the area, is a product of a place known as the “Bloody Angle.” During the famous battle, a particularly horrific clash between Federal troops and Rebels occurred early on the morning of May 12, 1864.

  Because of a bit of confusion on the part of the Union, an attack was made on the Confederate line at 4:45 a.m. in the middle of a thick mist. Both sides would fight tooth and nail for almost 24 hours, racking up over 17,000 casualties. Those who saw the aftermath of the affair stated that all foliage in the area had been laid flat by gunfire and that the carnage was unimaginable.

  Much like other haunted places in town, a trip through the Bloody Angle is quite the spooky experience. The details have already been documented in chapter one, but suffice it to say that paranormal activity is common in this part of the national park, and it wouldn’t come as any big surprise if that activity has spilled over into the town.

  Staunton Train Depot

  Staunton, Virginia

  When the railroad was constructed through the small town of Staunton in 1854, it immediately signaled growth and prosperity. Goods and visitors could now shuttle into the area with record speed and numbers. An area known as “The Wharf” was formed and commerce was higher than ever before. Hotels were springing up, new merchants were opening shop, and shoppers were appearing in droves to check out the new wares and to visit the amazing American Hotel. Then the Civil War started.

  Though Staunton is located in the state of Virginia, many of the townsfolk were in favor of preserving the Union. It wasn’t until the state formally seceded and joined the Confederacy that this support pretty much faded away. The depot then became a mobilization point for troops, as well as performing other miscellaneous military functions (such as a commissary, arsenal, and training post). Even with this cramping the commerce of the town, things were not particularly awful. However, in 1864, the destruction of railroads became a vital part of the Federal strategy for defeating the South.

  With the Battle of Piedmont under his belt, Union Major General David H. Hunter moved his men into Staunton and set up his headquarters in the Virginia Hotel. After promising to spare any charitable institutions, he began destroying anything in town that could support the Confederate Army. This included factories, mills, and (of course) the railroad. It wouldn’t be until after the war was completely over that the railroad was reconstructed and put back in action. There would be more woes, though.

  In 1890 a major train derailment destroyed the station once again. So the place required another round of repairs. This incident, along with the misery the war brought upon the city, created the two famous ghosts of Staunton Train Depot. The first spirit is a Confederate soldier who was killed by a train at the station. Some say he is named “D.C. McLewry” but others say the name was made up. Either way his apparition has been spotted skulking about the depot on several occasions. And he’s not alone.

  A female ghost, who is presumed to be Myrtle Ruth Knox, is also seen there wearing a long white dress or gown. Myrtle was an opera singer who had the misfortune of being on board the train that derailed. If that wasn’t enough bad luck, Myrtle was also the only passenger who perished in the wreck. Now she likes to get the attention of women who visit the depot—usually by tugging at their hair or clothing, but sometimes by whispering in their ear.

  Public Hospital

  Williamsburg, Virginia

  Known as America’s first mental institution, the Public Hospital (also known as Eastern State Hospital) opened the doors for its first patient in 1773. Back then mental illness was popularly regarded as a disease of the brain and that people “chose” to be insane. So the treatment for patients usually included restraining them, giving them a “water treatment,” and bleeding them. Yes, it’s exactly as it sounds. You cut them and let them bleed.

  By 1836, however, treatment at the facility underwent a major overhaul, and patients were treated kindly and given a regimen of therapy, work, and play to help with their mental maladies. This type of treatment drew new admissions and soon the hospital added a new wing for women. The facility had also expanded to seven buildings. All seemed to be going well until the American Civil War landed on their doorstep.

  The Battle of Williamsburg was a massive affair, involving over 70,000 soldiers and resulting in more than 3,500 casualties. It pitted Union Major General George B. McClellan against Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and began on May 5, 1862. A day later a Union contingency entered Eastern Lunatic Asylum (as the hospital was called then) and “captured” it—though it seems a bit unclear why they did so. Between the Federal Army and a round of bad luck, which included the death of the superintendent, a fire, and malfunctioning illumination system, the hospital fell into decline.

  On the positive side, however, those who were still at the hospital were receiving a better form of treatment at this point. Well, kinder treatment. The general view at this point was that science was useless to treat the mentally ill, and the better approach was just to make them comfortable while coping with their problems. It’s not exactly a great treatment, but it certainly seems better than bleeding them. The hospital operated until the 1960s, when all the patients were transferred to a new facility. After that, the building was restored along with much of Colonial Williamsburg. It is now functioning as a museum that you can visit.

  So why visit the old Public Hospital? Well, there’s six cells of exhibits you can check out—and there’s an underground tunnel you can take when you’re finished that will lead you to the nearby DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. Oh … and then there’s the ghost of Dr. John Minson Galt II.

  Remember that superintendent who died? Well, when the soldiers moved into the hospital, Dr. Galt was relieved of duty and sent away to his home located on the grounds. He was found dead shortly after that, overdosed on opiates. Most believe that he committed suicide—especially since he had taken so much opiate-based medicine that the blood vessels in his brain had burst, leaking blood onto the floor. And it wasn’t long after the new superintendents, the Lee family, moved into the house that they started noticing strange things.

  It seems the blood stains from the doctor’s death would never come clean—and when the actual floorboards were removed and replaced, the stain came right back. Then the Lee children started complaining of a man they would see upstairs in the house. They would wake up frightened and crying and begging to leave. Stories of the ghost of Galt would continue until the house was torn down. But the good doctor was not finished; his spirit simply moved over into the hospital.

  Current workers, as well as visitors of the museum, say the ghost is still there. One of the exhibition beds is routinely messed up during the night (when nobody is present), strange gusts of air seem to emanate from nowhere, and items are often found in new places—or never found at all. Make a visit to the museum and maybe you will encounter the mischievous Dr. Galt, too.

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  Antebellum Haunts

  The word antebellum comes from the Latin phrase “status quo ante bellum,” which means, “the state existing before the war.” It’s a term used in the United States to note any structure that was standing prior to the American Civil War. There are still a large quantity of prewar homes standing throughout the country—and ma
ny of them are now used in a variety of ways. Some of these historic houses are still used in a domestic fashion, but most of them are used for business of some kind. There are museums in these homes, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts, and a variety of other attractions. If they’re listed in this chapter, they are also said to have a resident ghost.

  Kenworthy Hall

  Marion, Alabama

  Also known as the Carlisle-Martin House, this home is a fine example of the Italianate villa style of famous architect Richard Upjohn. It was finished in 1860 for Edward Kenworthy Carlisle, a local businessman of some wealth. Unfortunately, the American Civil War proved a financial ruin for much of the upper crust in the American south—and the story here is much the same. Edward saw business do rather well during the war, but after the Union Army claimed victory and the Reconstruction period set in, the estate lost a considerable amount of value.

  Since the end of the Civil War, the home has ping-ponged between being a family estate and a destitute, abandoned property. During the periods of abandonment, locals came to call Kenworthy Hall a “haunted house.” Many have claimed to see the forlorn spirit of Lucinda, the wife of Edward, within the house. Usually she is spotted staring from a window, but sometimes eyewitnesses say she was strolling through the yard. Today, the house is private property, but it’s worth taking a drive by to check it out. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you never know who you might see peering from the window.

  Sturdivant Hall

  Selma, Alabama

  Famously haunted by the spirit of John Parkman, Sturdivant Hall is a home-turned-museum that dates back to 1856. This Greek Revival masterpiece was designed by Thomas Helm Lee for Colonel Edward T. Watts. He and his family lived there until 1864, when he sold the property to Parkman, who would become the president of the First National Bank of Selma. But he wouldn’t keep this job for very long. Because of the financial woes inflicted by the Civil War, times were tough in the small town of Selma—and it wasn’t long before Parker ran the bank into financial ruin. Some say he even embezzled.

  Regardless, he was arrested by military governor Wager Swayne and placed in prison. A short while later, in 1867, he attempted to escape the jail and was killed in the process. Now he haunts the employees and visitors of the museum. And he isn’t alone! The spirits of his two daughters are also said to be in the house. So if you plan to visit Sturdivant Hall, be sure to keep an eye on the upper story windows; the ghosts of the two girls are often seen there. As for John, he prefers to appear downstairs before the eyes of startled witnesses where he will open and close doors on occasion.

  McCollum-Chidester House

  Camden, Arkansas

  Operated by the Ouachita County Historical Society, this historic home is now a museum (along with the Leake-Ingham Building located out back). Built by Peter McCollum in 1847, it was later sold to Colonel John T. Chidester in 1857. Colonel Chidester was quite the controversial figure in Arkansas since he was doing business with supporters of the Union. He even allowed his home to be used as the headquarters for Union General Frederick Steele during the Battle of Poison Spring.

  Featuring the original furniture purchased by Colonel Chidester, this living museum is quite popular with the Civil War crowd. It is truly one of the most authentic sites you can visit—and it feels like you are stepping back through time. Perhaps this is the reason that spirits have decided to stick around.

  They are said to be the product of the battle fought nearby (Battle of Poison Spring) and are seen and heard in the area surrounding the house. People have glimpsed misty apparitions, glowing balls of light, and even the occasional full-bodied apparition. Ghostly noises include the phantom sounds of war, as well as the moans and groans of the wounded and dying.

  Kennesaw House

  Marietta, Georgia

  Housing the Marietta Museum of History, this historic home was built in 1845. While it was intended to be a cotton warehouse, it was quickly snatched up by a man named Dix Fletcher who promptly installed the Fletcher House Hotel on the property. When Major General William Tecumseh Sherman made his way through town during his Atlanta Campaign of the Civil War, the home was one of the few structures that was not burned to the ground (Fletcher belonged to the Masons and a family member was reported to be a Union spy). Instead he purposed the building as a hospital and morgue.

  Since the war, the Kennesaw House has been mainly used as a mercantile center. Various shops and stores have been located there over the years until the museum moved in. As for the ghosts, they date back to the horrible misery that soldiers endured while being treated—and prepared for burial—at the historic house. Guests have reported seeing the residual sights of a hospital room in action, complete with the screams of pain, blood on the floor, and doctors fast at work. In addition to this, there seems to be a benevolent spirit on the property, who could be the late Mrs. Fletcher. Those who have seen her say she appears with a whiff of perfume and that she’s wearing an 1800s dress.

  Octagon Hall

  Franklin, Kentucky

  What is it about octagon shaped homes that seems to invite ghosts? In the case of Octagon Hall, the active spirits are just another attraction that draws people to this awesome living museum. Built in 1859 for Andrew Jackson Caldwell, the house was still brand new when the Civil War came calling at the nearby Battle of Fort Donelson. Because Caldwell was a well-known Confederate supporter, the Union Army made sure to visit the place. After killing much of the cattle and destroying what crops they had, the Federal troops moved on. But Caldwell continued his Southern support. Throughout the war, Octagon Hall provided a hiding place for wounded Rebels when it was possible.

  Most of the displays within the museum today involve the Civil War and life during the mid 1800s. I highly recommend taking a tour with the employees—with an emphasis on the ghostly hot spots around the house. Your first stop will be the basement where the spirit of a young girl is said to reside. It’s said she burned to death while cooking over an open fire. People have seen and heard her in this area, and she seems to be one of the more active ghosts. There’s also the spirit of a man in the top level of the home. Some say he’s a member of the Caldwell family, some say a servant, and then there are those who believe he is a soldier who died while taking refuge in the house. Whoever he is, he’s active. His disembodied voice has been heard a number of times, cold spots are left in his wake, and he seems to like lying on the beds.

  The Hunt-Morgan House

  Lexington, Kentucky

  Mr. and Mrs. John Hunt Morgan.

  John Hunt Morgan was a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army and was killed during a raid at Greeneville, Tennessee, on September 4, 1864. His home, historically known as “Rosemont,” was built by his grandfather, John Wesley Hunt, in 1814. Other than the dashing and daring General Morgan, there’s also another famous figure attached to this estate: Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan, the great grandson of General Morgan. Dr. Morgan was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in genetics. All this history, as well as more Civil War related material, can be explored with a visit to this gorgeous Federal style residence.

  When the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation saved the Hunt-Morgan House from demolition, they had no idea just how popular the home would be with the general public, especially the ghost hunting community. They offer tours of the property, and the Alexander T. Hunt Civil War Museum (the second floor of the home) is almost always a hit. As for the ghost enthusiasts, they have a great time, too. The spirit of John Wesley Hunt has been witnessed roaming the first floor of the house and the ghost of a former servant, dubbed “Mammy James,” is said to hang out on the third floor where the nursery was once located.

  Maple Hill Manor

  Springfield, Kentucky

  This location may just be the perfect haunted getaway. With a bed and breakfast, a crafts store, and llama farm on the site (they
have some alpacas, too), there’s plenty to see and do. What’s even better is the fact that the owners are quite open concerning their resident spirits—and Maple Hill Manor is one of the favorite spots for local ghost hunters. The ghostly activity is said to stem from two events. The original owners of the home, Thomas McElroy and family, built the place in 1851. And while they lived there, four of their children died in the house at a relatively young age. It’s believed that these young spirits are the source for a lot of the paranormal activity that happens.

  The other key event in the history of the manor is the Battle of Perryville. Prior to the clash, the Confederate Army camped on the grounds at this home—and after the conclusion of the affair, the Union Army used the house as a hospital to care for the wounded and dying. Many soldiers died while being treated in the house. Between these two events, there’s the possibility of souls wandering around Maple Hill Manor. Those who have had an experience say there are cold spots in the house, disembodied voices, bizarre knocks on the walls and doors, and the occasional scent of perfume. Sound fun?

  Old South Mountain Inn

  Boonsboro, Maryland

  Perched alongside Turner’s Gap, the Old South Mountain Inn is a perfect launching point for exploring the Antietam Battlefield and other historic sites in the area. Dating back to the 1730s, the old inn serviced travelers as a stagecoach stop and wagon stand for many years—and during the Civil War, the location would see two important events unfold. The first occurred when John Brown used the inn to stage his raid on the nearby town of Harper’s Ferry. The second was when Confederate General D.H. Hill used the inn as his headquarters prior to the Battle of Antietam.

  Important events still occur at the Old South Mountain Inn today, although they are of a happy and festive nature. With a top-notch restaurant, a killer wine list, and an awesome view of the surrounding countryside, the eatery is quite popular with tourists. And the spirit of Madeline Vinton Dahlgren is the attraction that draws the ghost enthusiasts. Madeline was a former resident of the inn in the late 1800s and is credited with, perhaps, saving the structure from disaster. When a fire broke out in the restaurant in 2002, a door was mysteriously opened that allowed the staff to be alerted to the blaze. She’s said to still be around today and has been witnessed by the staff on several occasions.