Ghost Stories from the Gettysburg Battlefield

Haunted by eerie stories and mysterious legends, the Gettysburg Battlefield is home to supernatural phenomena like the legendary Ghost of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg Battlefield has been shrouded in mystery and awed by stories of supernatural sightings. One of the most famous legends is the “Ghost of Gettysburg,” a purported spirit that haunts the historic Civil War battleground. Find out what makes this story so compelling, and explore other unusual tales related to this mysterious place.

The History of Gettysburg

Gettysburg is rich with history and tragedy. During the Battle of Gettysburg, there were approximately 50,000 casualties on both sides in the three days between July 1st and July 3rd 1863. For many it stands as the greatest battle that was during the American Civil War and was a turning point that led to the fall of the Confederacy and victory to the Union.

It was fought around the town of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania when General Robert E. Lee felt victory was with the Confederates and marched north. However, the Union was awaiting their arrival and a 3 day battle began across the hills and forest as well as the entire town.

It remains the bloodiest battle fought during the American Civil War, details of which have been immortalized by many authors throughout history.

Pennsylvania Hall

Of what is now Gettysburg College and during the battle, the college was a place were the battle raged on. The place is today said to be haunted, especially the building on campus named Pennsylvania Hall. Students and teachers alike have shared stories about seeing soldiers walking on campus.

The Ghost of Jennie Wade

The most famous ghost story in Gettysburg is the Ghost of Jennie Wade. In July 1863, a woman named Mary V. “Jennie” Wade was baking bread for the Union troops when she became the only civilian killed during the 3-day battle. Legend has it that her ghost still haunts the town; reports from visitors, who claim to have encountered her, are often heard along with sightings of a female figure near Ziegler’s Grove, where Jennifer was killed.

Specters in Seminary Ridge Hospital

Seminary Ridge Hospital, once the largest hospital in Pennsylvania during the war, is rumored to be haunted by many spirits ranging from former Confederate doctors to injured patients. Reports of ghostly nurses walking through hallways with stretchers of phantom soldiers have been made, and several reports tell of figures assumed to be wounded soldiers searching buildings for aid that never comes.

Haunted Spirits in Meade’s Headquarters

George Meade’s Headquarters, which sit on the roundtop of Cemetery Hill, have been reported to be haunted by the ghost of Major General Meade himself. Witnesses describe phantom figures in the windows, soft voices coming from the direction of his old tent, and shadows that move inside Meade’s old office.

Other reports tell stories of a spectral female figure said to be wandering around in search of a lost soldier. These stories seem unbelievable but there’s no denying that something odd lurks in this historic area.

Supernatural Occurrences at Little Round Top

Little Round Top has been the setting for a number of supernatural occurrences. Many believe it’s haunted by the ghosts of fallen soldiers, both Union and Confederate. There have been reports of eerie whispers, phantom sounds, and strange glows in the air. Some visitors claim to feel an invisible presence at the top of Little Round Top or strange chills that travel down their spine when they stand on this hallowed ground.

The Devils Den

One of the most notorious places though is The Devils Den, and it is said that the place was haunted long before the Battle of Gettysburg.

It used to be a Native American hunting ground for centuries. Another battle named The Battle of the Crows was supposedly fought here and in the night you could hear war cries from the Native American according to the early settlers who told ghost stories about the place. Even by the end of the 1800s, the place was called haunted.

During the Battle of Gettysburg there was a lot of fighting around the den on the second day. After the war, there were countless people that claimed to have seen something supernatural around the bould of rocks.