10 Most Haunted Battlefields in America

Journey through America's most haunted battlefields, where echoes of the past linger and ghostly encounters are commonplace. These sites, scarred by conflict, bear witness to the human cost of war, their landscapes imbued with chilling tales and paranormal phenomena.

Gettysburg's Ghosts: Where the Battle Never Ended

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought in July 1863, stands as the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, leaving over 50,000 soldiers dead, wounded, or missing. This Pennsylvania town is now known as one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Visitors often report apparitions of soldiers, the sounds of gunfire, and equipment malfunctions.

Devil's Den, a rock formation used by Confederate sharpshooters, is a hotspot for paranormal activity. Witnesses have seen ghostly soldiers and captured unexplained phenomena in photos. Little Round Top, another key battle location, is known for its intense energy and reports of apparitions. Triangular Field, near Devil's Den, is also known for apparitions of Confederate sharpshooters and disembodied rebel yells. Visitors have reported seeing impressions of bodies in the grass.

One visitor on a ghost tour recounted seeing a misty figure dressed in Civil War garb near Devil's Den, only for it to vanish moments later. The eerie silence that followed was more terrifying than any scream.

Local Tip: Take a guided ghost tour for an immersive experience and access to haunted locations not open to the public. Be sure to check out Gettysburg Ghost Tours, the original local tour, #1 rated by Pick of the County.

Antietam's Bloody Lane: Echoes of a Civil War Tragedy

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, marked the bloodiest single day in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. The battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland, is known for its intense paranormal activity.

Bloody Lane, also known as the Sunken Road, saw horrific carnage, with bodies piled upon bodies. Visitors often report feeling an overwhelming sense of presence, hearing ghostly cries, and smelling gunpowder. Some have seen apparitions of Confederate soldiers marching along the road before vanishing. The Dunker Church, which served as a makeshift hospital during the battle, is said to echo with ghostly moans and flickering lights.

A group of schoolboys on a field trip reported hearing Christmas carols near Bloody Lane; their teacher realized they were hearing the Gaelic battle cry of the Union's Irish Brigade. The documentary “The Ghosts of Antietam” explores the battlefield's haunted history.

Hidden Gem: Some say that the spirits of the fallen still linger at Burnside's Bridge, also known as Rohrback Bridge, where visitors at night have reported seeing balls of blue light moving around and the sound of a drum playing cadence as it fades into the night.

Shiloh's Unmarked Graves: Whispers from the Battlefield

The Battle of Shiloh, fought in April 1862, resulted in more than 23,000 casualties. Many soldiers were buried in unmarked graves in Shiloh National Cemetery, leading to numerous reports of paranormal phenomena.

Visitors often report feeling unusual sensations, hearing the sounds of drums, yells, and gunfire. Some have claimed otherworldly sightings, including that of a phantom drummer. The cemetery, with over 3,500 Civil War dead, is considered one of the most haunted spots in Tennessee. Many were buried in mass graves in unhallowed ground, creating an environment ripe for unsettled souls to remain restless.

One chilling account tells of a visitor who felt an icy hand on their shoulder while walking through the cemetery at dusk, only to turn around and find no one there.

Local Fact: The park is over 5,000 acres large and also contains the Shiloh Indian Mounds and the Davis Bridge Battlefield.

Chickamauga: The Specter of Ol' Green Eyes

The Battle of Chickamauga, fought in September 1863, was one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles, second only to Gettysburg. The battlefield is known for the legend of 'Ol' Green Eyes,' a ghostly figure with glowing green eyes.

Some believe 'Ol' Green Eyes' is the spirit of a Confederate soldier whose head was blown off during the battle, forever searching for his missing body. Others believe it is a Native American creature or a guardian spirit protecting sacred ground. Reports include flickering lights, feelings of being watched, and sounds of crying or marching.

One visitor described seeing two glowing green eyes peering from the woods near Snodgrass Hill, disappearing as quickly as they appeared.

Unique Detail: Mark Fults, author and psychic, believes that Green Eyes is a creature older than the battle and even older than the Cherokee, a guardian and remnant of the worship practices of the mound builders.

Little Bighorn: Custer's Last Stand and Lingering Spirits

The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, took place in June 1876 and is a significant event in American history. The battlefield is known for reported paranormal occurrences, including sightings of General Custer's ghost and phantom figures of soldiers and Native American warriors.

The Stone House, built in 1894 for the cemetery caretaker, is a hotspot for ghost sightings. Staff have reported seeing a ghost with no head or legs, hearing footsteps, and witnessing doorknobs turning on their own. Some have heard frightening screams of men undergoing a grisly death while touring the battlefields.

One former employee, Christine Hope, claimed to have seen the figure of a man with a long handlebar mustache sitting at a table in the Stone House, later identifying him as Lt. Benjamin H. Hodgson.

Cultural Significance: The battle holds immense cultural significance for Native American tribes, symbolizing resistance and the fight to preserve their way of life.

Fredericksburg's Sunken Road: A Highway of Haunting Memories

The Battle of Fredericksburg, fought on December 13, 1862, was one of the Civil War's largest and deadliest battles. The Sunken Road, also known as Bloody Lane, is a particularly haunted location.

Visitors have reported hearing war cries and seeing ghostly soldiers locked in battle. The Union army suffered one of its bloodiest defeats here, with total casualties reaching 12,600. Confederate troops held the high ground, making it nearly impossible for the Union soldiers to advance.

One chilling story tells of a visitor who heard whispers in the cemetery, claiming to be the voices of soldiers recounting their final moments.

Historical Detail: General Robert E. Lee earned his most one-sided military victory at Fredericksburg's Sunken Road.

Cold Harbor: Shallow Graves and Shadowy Figures

The Battle of Cold Harbor, fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864, saw immense casualties suffered in a short period. Many soldiers were buried in shallow pits, leading to the belief that their spirits haunt the battlefield.

Paranormal experiences reported include shadowy figures, disembodied voices, and sounds of gunfire. Some have encountered a dense, unexplainable fog that disappears as quickly as it manifests. The Garthright House, used as a field hospital, is also known for paranormal activity.

One visitor recounted feeling a sudden chill and hearing a disembodied voice whisper their name while walking near the shallow graves.

Unique Story: Some visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a little girl in a white dress and bonnet wandering through meadows and graveyards that border the battlefield.

Yorktown: Revolutionary War Phantoms on Surrender Field

The Battle of Yorktown, which ended on October 19, 1781, was the concluding battle of the Revolutionary War. The battlefield is known for paranormal activity, such as spectral soldiers and the legend of George Washington's stepson.

Visitors have reported spectral soldiers and the sounds of cannon fire. Cornwallis's Cave is said to have eerie sounds emanating from the mouth of this cave, where British General Cornwallis and his men hid from the bombardment of the Colonial army. The Nelson House is also known for having spirits roaming the home.

One local legend speaks of seeing spectral soldiers by moonlight near Surrender Field, forever re-enacting their final battle.

Local Legend: The ghost of George Washington's stepson, John “Jackie” Custis, is said to roam the woods around Surrender Field.

Minute Man National Historical Park: Ghosts of the Revolution

Minute Man National Historical Park, the site of the opening battle of the American Revolution, is known for its ghostly encounters. Visitors have reported phantom gunfire, smells of gunpowder, and shadowy figures.

The park includes significant sites such as the Minute Man statue and the Battle Road Trail. Spectral forms of troops of soldiers have been seen marching along the trail, their presence a chilling reminder of the fight for independence.

One park ranger recounted hearing the distinct sound of a musket firing nearby, only to find no one in the vicinity.

Significant Detail: The park marks the beginning of the American Revolution, where colonists stood their ground against British forces.

Savannah's Squares: Echoes of Three Wars

Savannah, Georgia, is known as a haunted city due to its history and involvement in three wars. Several squares, including Madison Square, Monterey Square, and Johnson Square, are known for their ghostly residents.

Madison Square is said to be home to numerous ghosts, including those of British soldiers. Monterey Square is haunted by General Casimir Pulaski, who died during the Siege of Savannah. Wright Square was the site of gallows, and many report ghostly happenings.

One visitor to Monterey Square reported seeing a shadowy figure resembling General Pulaski near his monument as dusk settled over the square.

Local Story: Wright Square is haunted by Alice Riley, the first woman hanged in Georgia, with sightings of her ghost popping up from time to time in or around the square where she was hanged and buried.