by Rich Newman
Like most places that once serviced as a Civil War hospital, the inn does seem to be haunted by spirits from that period. The apparitions of men in uniform have been witnessed and odd sounds are said to be heard. Sounds like footsteps on the stairs, doors opening, knocks on the walls, etc. None of the activity is said to be frightening, so this would make a tame getaway for the light ghost enthusiast. Consider staying in the main inn on the top floor; it’s said to get the most activity during the night.
Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast
King George, Virginia
The principle problem with spending the night at this historic B&B is making sure you are at the correct Belle Grove Plantation. There appears to be two of them in Virginia. And both are considered haunted! This version of Belle Grove is the one you can stay at. It dates back to 1791 and it was the birth location of President James Madison. During the Civil War, the plantation was under ownership of one Carolinas Turner. Being a Confederate supporter, he was driven away briefly from the estate (most likely during the attacks at Fredericksburg), but returned and was given a pardon for his loyalty to the south.
Since Belle Grove has been featured on paranormal television shows, the story of the haunting there is quite well known. They now offer ghost tours and are quite friendly to respectful ghost enthusiasts who stay at the B&B. If you make the visit you will want to pay attention to a couple different hot spots in the mansion. The balcony seems to be where the apparition of a young woman is seen, the kitchen is inhabited by the spirit of a female African-American, and the ghost of a Union soldier has been encountered in the home, too.
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
Leesburg, Virginia
Established in 1798 by George Carter, this wheat plantation is the perfect example of a slave-driven business at the onset of the American Civil War. With over 130 slaves working there, it was little wonder that Elizabeth Grayson Lewis Carter fled the home when the war began. And when the war was over, the loss of the labor force there instigated the slow demise of the family’s wealth. In 1903, the home was sold to William and Edith Eustis, a prominent family from Washington, DC. This brought visitors such as President Harry S. Truman and Eleanor Roosevelt to the house.
Now the Oatlands Plantation is a living museum and an awesome place to host an event. With the ornate gardens and year-round activities happening on the property, it makes for a fun getaway. As for the ghost, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of details. Called by some the “man in black,” this spirit is known for the various bumps, knocks, and footsteps that are heard throughout the place. He has been seen on a few occasions, but most of the time the activity seems to center around odd sounds. Some say there is also a second ghost in the home—a female spirit that will appear with the scent of roses. She’s said to appear at random and will often lock doors that were previously unlocked. Perhaps she’s trying to freshen up and wants some privacy.
Belle Grove Plantation
Middletown, Virginia
Not to be confused with the Belle Grove located at King George, Virginia, this historic home is now part of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Whereas the first Belle Grove is associated with the birth of President James Madison, this version belonged to his sister, Nelly Madison Hite. It was built in 1797 by Major Isaac Hite and was used as a prosperous sheep farm for many years. In 1864, the home was used by Union General Philip Sheridan as his headquarters during the Battle of Cedar Creek—a battle that historically helped secure the re-election of President Abraham Lincoln.
Today you can visit the park and even take a tour of Belle Grove, but you don’t necessarily have to be inside the place to catch a glimpse of the spirit there. The apparition of a woman dressed in black is said to often appear in the window of the uppermost room of the house. This ghost is the centerpiece of a legend that states that Nelly Hite was killed by a slave named “Millie” who was having an affair with Isaac. When it was discovered what Millie had done, she was hung in the nearby woods. Now the spirits of Nelly and Millie fight from beyond the grave! Both of them are supposed to haunt the house—though most believe the apparition dressed in black to be Nelly Madison Hite.
Centre Hill Mansion
Petersburg, Virginia
Robert Bolling IV constructed Centre Hill Mansion between the years of 1818 and 1823. Bolling was a captain in the local militia and he made his money dealing with tobacco. His son, Robert Buckner Bolling, would be owner of the property when Lieutenant General James Longstreet made the mansion his headquarters during the Civil War. And, later, when the Union Army moved in, the house was utilized by Major General George L. Hartsuff. In addition to these two historic figures, the mansion has also been visited by three American presidents: Abraham Lincoln, John Tyler, and William Howard Taft.
The Centre Hill Mansion Museum now occupies these historic halls—and like many other tourist destinations, it has decided to embrace his haunted history. In fact, the museum even offers a yearly “ghost watch” tour that is highly recommended if you happen to be in the area. So who are they watching for? Well, it’s said that every year, on January 24, a phantom group of soldiers can be seen marching up the stairs at 7:30 p.m. Twenty minutes later, the same spirits can be seen/heard coming back down and exiting through the front door! When it’s not January 24, visitors have noticed a ghostly woman who seems to like standing in an upper story window. She’s been dubbed the “Lady in White” and is seen more often (obviously) than the spectral soldiers there.
Once the home of Confederate Brigadier General Albert Gallatin Jenkins, this circa 1835 plantation house was known as “Green Bottom.” Today, it is a living museum and operated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now open to the public to visit. They are well known for their yearly Civil War Camp and Holiday Party that occurs close to Christmas. They are also known for two other things: General Jenkins and the ghost of General Jenkins.
Jenkins Plantation Museum
Glenwood, West Virginia
Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins.
The living General Jenkins served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and, during the Civil War, fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded during the clash, but would recover and continue to fight. It would be at the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain that he would be mortally wounded and perish. And it seems that, after he died, he returned to the lovely Green Bottom that he cherished. Sightings of his apparition have occurred in the house and his spirit is generally blamed when things go missing or doors suddenly seem to open or close.
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Appendix: Listing by State
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Alabama
Auburn University Chapel—Auburn, Alabama
Pickens County Courthouse—Carrollton, Alabama
Fort Gaines—Dauphin Island, Alabama
Old State Bank—Decatur, Alabama
Fort Morgan—Gulf Shores, Alabama
Kenworthy Hall—Marion, Alabama
Marion Military Institute—Marion, Alabama
University of Montevallo—Montevallo, Alabama
Historic Rosemere Cemetery—Opelika, Alabama
Sturdivant Hall—Selma, Alabama
Crooked Creek Civil War Museum—Vinemont, Alabama
Arkansas
McCollum-Chidester House—Camden, Arkansas
Old Fort Smith Courthouse—Fort Smith, Arkansas
Battle of Pea Ridge—Garfield, Arkansas
Battle of Jenkins Ferry—Leola, Arkansas
Mount Holly Cemetery—Little Rock, Arkansas
Old State House—Little Rock, Arkansas
Battle of Prairie Grove—Prairie Grove, Arkansas
California
Fort Point—San Francisco, California
Connecticut
<
br /> Union Cemetery—Easton, Connecticut
Delaware
Fort Delaware—Pea Patch Island, Delaware
District of Columbia
The Capitol Building
The White House
Florida
Fort Pickens—Gulf Breeze, Florida
Fort Zachary Taylor—Key West, Florida
Battle of Olustee—Olustee, Florida
Georgia
Andersonville National Historic Site—Andersonville, Georgia
Battle of Allatoona Pass—Cartersville, Georgia
Mount Hope Cemetery—Dahlonega, Georgia
Battle of New Hope Church—Dallas, Georgia
Battle of Chickamauga—Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain—Kennesaw, Georgia
Battle of Kolb’s Farm—Marietta, Georgia
Kennesaw House—Marietta, Georgia
Old Governor’s Mansion—Milledgeville, Georgia
Resaca Confederate Cemetery—Resaca, Georgia
Fort James Jackson—Savannah, Georgia
Fort Pulaski—Savannah, Georgia
Laurel Grove Cemetery—Savannah, Georgia
Kansas
Fort Blair—Baxter Springs, Kansas
Fort Scott—Fort Scott, Kansas
Kentucky
Octagon Hall—Franklin, Kentucky
The Hunt-Morgan House—Lexington, Kentucky
Cave Hill National Cemetery—Louisville, Kentucky
Battle of Perryville—Perryville, Kentucky
Maple Hill Manor—Springfield, Kentucky
Louisiana
Old State Capitol Building—Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fort DeRussy Cemetery—Marksville, Louisiana
Fort Jackson—Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Maryland
US Naval Institute—Annapolis, Maryland
Fort McHenry—Baltimore, Maryland
Fort Frederick—Big Pool, Maryland
Battle of South Mountain—Boonsboro, Maryland
Old South Mountain Inn—Boonsboro, Maryland
Barbara Fritchie House and Museum—Frederick, Maryland
Sotterley Plantation—Hollywood, Maryland
Point Lookout Lighthouse—Scotland, Maryland
Battle of Antietam—Sharpsburg, Maryland
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church—Sharpsburg, Maryland
Hampton House—Towson, Maryland
Landon House—Urbana, Maryland
The Dr. Mudd House Museum—Waldorf, Maryland
Massachusetts
Fort Warren—Boston, Massachusetts
Fort Rodman—New Bedford, Massachusetts
Mississippi
Bethany Historic Cemetery—Baldwyn, Mississippi
Friendship Cemetery—Columbus, Mississippi
Deason House—Ellisville, Mississippi
Battle of Tupelo—Tupelo, Mississippi
Battle of Vicksburg—Vicksburg, Mississippi
Cedar Grove Mansion Inn & Restaurant—Vicksburg, Mississippi
Duff Green Mansion—Vicksburg, Mississippi
McRaven House—Vicksburg, Mississippi
Missouri
Arcadia Academy—Arcadia, Missouri
Kendrick Place—Carthage, Missouri
Hill Park Cemetery—Independence, Missouri
Pitcher Cemetery—Independence, Missouri
Jesse James Farm—Kearney, Missouri
Oliver Anderson House—Lexington, Missouri
Lone Jack Battlefield Cemetery—Lone Jack, Missouri
Fort Davidson—Pilot Knob, Missouri
Battle of Wilson’s Creek—Republic, Missouri
Springfield National Cemetery—Springfield, Missouri
Fort Belle Fontaine—St. Louis, Missouri
Jefferson Barracks—St. Louis, Missouri
Harney Mansion—Sullivan, Missouri
New York
Fort Oswego—Oswego, New York
Fort Wadsworth—Staten Island, New York
North Carolina
Riverside Cemetery—Asheville, North Carolina
Smith-McDowell House Museum—Asheville, North Carolina
Fort Macon—Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Battle of Bentonville—Bentonville, North Carolina
Sandford House—Fayetteville, North Carolina
Harper House—Four Oaks, North Carolina
Louisburg College—Louisburg, North Carolina
Attmore-Oliver House—New Bern, North Carolina
The Harvey Mansion—New Bern, North Carolina
Foscue Plantation—Pollocksville, North Carolina
Vance Birthplace—Weaverville, North Carolina
Fort Fisher—Wilmington, North Carolina
Ohio
Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery—Columbus, Ohio
Fort Hayes—Columbus, Ohio
Oklahoma
Fort Washita—Durant, Oklahoma
Oregon
Fort Stevens—Hammond, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Carlisle Barracks—Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Cashtown Inn—Cashtown, Pennsylvania
Battle of Gettysburg—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Farnsworth House Inn—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg College—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg Hotel—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Jennie Wade House Museum—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Tillie Pierce House Inn—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Fort Mifflin—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Wigg-Barnwell House—Beaufort, South Carolina
Battery Carriage House Inn—Charleston, South Carolina
Fort Sumter—Charleston, South Carolina
Old Charleston Jail—Charleston, South Carolina
Old Exchange Building—Charleston, South Carolina
John Y. Dupre House—McClellanville, South Carolina
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens—Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Church of the Holy Cross Cemetery—Sumter, South Carolina
Rose Hill Plantation—Union, South Carolina
Tennessee
Confederate Cemetery—Chattanooga, Tennessee
Fort Donelson—Dover, Tennessee
Carnton Mansion—Franklin, Tennessee
Carter House—Franklin, Tennessee
Fort Pillow—Henning, Tennessee
Loretta Lynn Ranch—Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
Battle of Stones River—Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Belmont Mansion—Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee State Capitol—Nashville, Tennessee
Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery—Russellville, Tennessee
Battle of Shiloh—Shiloh, Tennessee
Sam Davis Home—Smyrna, Tennessee
Texas
Battle of Sabine Pass—Jefferson County, Texas
Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery—Arlington County, Virginia
Avenel—Bedford, Virginia
Edgewood Plantation—Charles City, Virginia
Longwood University—Farmville, Virginia
Fort Monroe—Fort Monroe, Virginia
Battle of Chancellorsville—Fredericksburg, Virginia
Battle of Spotsylvania—Fredericksburg, Virginia
Battle of The Wilderness—Fredericksburg, Virginia
Chatham Manor—Fredericksburg, Virginia
By the Side of the Road Inn—Harrisburg, Virginia
Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery—Leesburg, Virginia
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens—Leesb
urg, Virginia
Virginia Military Institute—Lexington, Virginia
Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast—King George, Virginia
Battle of Second Manassas—Manassas, Virginia
Cold Harbor National Cemetery—Mechanicsville, Virginia
Battle of Cedar Creek—Middletown, Virginia
Belle Grove Plantation—Middletown, Virginia
Centre Hill Mansion—Petersburg, Virginia
St. Alban’s Sanatorium—Radford, Virginia
Battle of Staunton River—Randolph, Virginia
Fort McAllister—Richmond Hill, Virginia
Battle of Saltville—Saltville, Virginia
Spotsylvania High School—Spotsylvania, Virginia
Staunton Train Depot,—Staunton, Virginia
Fort Magruder—Williamsburg, Virginia
Public Hospital—Williamsburg, Virginia
West Virginia
Jenkins Plantation Museum—Glenwood, West Virginia
Battle of Droop Mountain—Hillsboro, West Virginia
Battle of Shepherdstown—Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Battle of Carnifex Ferry—Summersville, West Virginia
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Bibliography
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While most of my research was done through the use of the Internet and by contacting people directly (when possible), there are a few books that I referenced directly for this book for various reasons. All are worth a read in and of themselves. I have listed them below for your convenience. I would also like to make a special mention of a specific website, the Civil War Trust (www.civilwar.org), that was spectacularly full of information regarding the American Civil War. If you are interested in the subject as I am, please check it out.
Coleman, Christopher. Ghosts and Haunts of the Civil War: Authentic Accounts of the Strange and Unexplained. Thomas Nelson, 1999.