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The Ghost Soldiers of Rapperswil Ringing the Bell of St. John

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In the middle of the night, it was said that the bells of St. John Church in Rapperswil, Switzerland started to toll. When the churchwarden went to investigate, it was said that he saw the headless ghosts of the fallen soldiers from the Battle of Näfels holding midnight mass.

“Before this evil news reached the city,
that our brave heart had fallen in loyalty,
the great bell in Rapperswil rang sixty-two times.”
– JH. Fornaro

Along the northern shores of Lake Zurich, the medieval town of Rapperswil-Jona is known for its charming alleys in the old town, historic castle, and rose gardens which is why it’s known as Rosenstadt, or the City of Roses. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Switzerland

But beneath this picturesque veneer lies a chilling legend, one that speaks of loyalty beyond death and spectral gatherings in the dead of night. The tale of the headless ghost soldiers of Rapperswil has unnerved locals for centuries and remains one of Switzerland’s most eerie supernatural legends.

A Bell That Rings for the Dead

Stadtpfarrkirche St. Johann (Saint John’s parish church) is a Roman Catholic parish church in the city of Rapperswil, right next to Rapperswil Castle on Herrenberg hill in the old town. Rapperswil Castle, the town walls of the former locus Endingen and the parish church were built by Count Rudolf II and his son Rudolf III of Rapperswil around 1220/29.

It is also on this hill on the southern walls that the first roses in Rapperswil blooms because their medieval sandstone walls are exposed to the sun all through the year. It is also where the old and dark ghost legends hang around the ancient halls.

The legend begins on a cold, silent night at the start of the 20th century, when the church bell at St. John’s Church began to toll by itself. This story was told by the Rapperswil politician and publicist Theodor Curti, who died in 1914, although it’s not certain exactly when this was supposed to have happened.

The mournful clang shattered the stillness of the sleeping town. According to the story, the churchwarden — believing someone had broken into the sacred place — made his way to the tower, expecting to find a prankster or a thief. Instead, he found the bell swaying on its own, untouched by human hands.

What he witnessed next would haunt the town’s memory for generations.

The Headless Procession

As the churchwarden descended into the nave, the flicker of ghostly figures appeared around the ancient altar. Dozens of soldiers, clad in bloodstained medieval armor, stood in silent formation. Their most horrifying feature: every one of them was headless. Despite this gruesome deformity, the soldiers appeared solemn and composed, as though celebrating mass in front of the altar.

Source

The churchwarden watched in petrified awe as the ghostly warriors held a midnight mass for their fallen brethren. No words were spoken, no sound but the bell’s final echoes remained. When the ceremony ended, the soldiers faded back into the shadows, leaving behind an eerie chill in the air.

The Battle of Näfels and the Origins of the Legend

Local lore links these restless spirits to the Battle of Näfels, fought in 1388 between the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Habsburg forces that led to the independence from Habsburg rule. Rapperswil was then under Habsburg rule. It was a brutal clash in which 62 men from Rapperswil perished. It was said that the other soldiers all fled, only the brave Rosenstadters remained steadfast. When their bodies were found, they were all lying together, slain in a small orchard.

In his notes, Curti suggests that this is a variant of the legend that originated in the Battle of Näfels in 1388 that the death bell rang as well, exactly 62 times for the fallen ones. Although there really was 62 locals dead in the battle, there has been no historical proof that the bells actually rang back then but the legends.

Many believe the headless soldiers are the souls of these men, returning on certain nights to mourn their fate and honor those who died alongside them.

The Battle of Näfels: The battle was the last of the Swiss-Austrian conflicts that stretched through most of the 14th century. The Swiss had 54 men killed, who were buried at the parish church of Mollis. Habsburg losses are less well known, but are estimated to be between several hundred and 1,700 killed. In 1339, the first Näfelser Fahrt, a pilgrimage to the site of the battle, was held. This pilgrimage, which still occurs, happens on the first Thursday in April and is in memory of the battle.

Over the centuries, reports of the ghostly procession have persisted. Townsfolk whisper that the spirits are most likely to appear during violent storms, misty autumn nights, or on the anniversary of the battle. The legend has become so entwined with the town’s history that a path leading to the old battlefield is still marked by aged stones, and some locals claim to hear phantom footsteps or distant, mournful bells when passing by after dusk.

Symbol or Specter?

While skeptics dismiss the tale as folklore — a metaphor for the horrors of war and the sacrifices of the past — others remain convinced that something lingers within Rapperswil’s ancient walls. The church where the soldiers supposedly gather has undergone restorations, yet strange incidents occasionally occur: inexplicable drafts, flickering candle flames, and, once in recorded memory, the death bell tolling on a windless night.

Whether a symbolic remembrance or a true haunting, the story of the Ghost Soldiers of Rapperswil continues to captivate, reminding visitors and locals alike that the past is never truly buried — and that sometimes, the dead march on in silence, seeking the honor denied to them in life.

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References:

Hier spukt es: Unheimliche Orte in der Schweiz | WEB.DE

Stadtpfarrkirche Rapperswil – Wikipedia

Battle of Näfels – Wikipedia

Die kopflosen Geistersoldaten und ihr Spuk in Rapperswil | Südostschweiz

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Ghostly Soldiers at Fort Holmes on Mackinac Island

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At the highest point of Mackinac Island in Michigan, Fort Holmes is thought to be haunted by ghosts from the War of 1812. Could there also be something more ancient haunting the place?

In the glistening waters of Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is a serene retreat known for its picturesque beauty, historic charm, and an eerie reputation for the supernatural.

In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living. 

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With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it. 

Fort Holmes: On the highest top on Mackinac Island, is the reconstructed Fort Holmes. Those visiting it claim to have seen the ghost of soldiers still guarding the fort. //Source: Wikimedia

A Brief History of Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.

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The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is. 

Fort Holmes and the War Time Haunting

On top of Mackinac Island’s highest point, an old British stronghold was built. The building standing is not the original redoubt, but built to look like it did in 1817.

Fort Holmes was originally built in 1814 during the War of 1812, between the United States and the United Kingdom. Back then there was only a blockhouse and stockade built by the British and was a defense place when the Americans attacked in 1814. Back then it was called Fort George, and was only renamed after the Americans took over after the Major who was killed during the assault.

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It fell into disrepair under the shadow of the Fort Mackinac it was built to assist and Fort Holmes never functioned as an independent military fortification. Fort Mackinac is about half a mile south from Fort Mackinac and has its own haunted ghost stories. 

The Fort Holmes was remodeled in 2015 and is today a popular place for tourists to hike up to watch the stars and the shoreline of the Straits of Mackinac. It is also said to be a place to see ghosts. 

Fort Holmes: Stairway up to Fort Holmes, the highest point on Mackinac Island. // Source: Wikimedia

Some also claim that something paranormal is going on at the old restored fort. Many people claim to have seen three soldiers wearing Colonial-era uniforms, talking among themselves, but when they notice they are being watched, they disappear. 

As with many places on the island, this fort is also said to have been built on top of native burial grounds, making people think that maybe the place also is haunted by the spirits of Ojibwe tribesmen and women as well as the Europeans desecrating more than one burial site. 

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References:

Fort Holmes – Wikipedia 

Fort Holmes – Mackinac Island 

Haunted Ghost Tour – Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

5 Ghost Stories From MI’s Mackinac Island

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The Soldier Ghost at Rifle Range Trail at Mackinac Island

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A soldier hanged for the murder of another is said to haunt the Rifle Range Trail at Mackinac Island in Michigan. Appearing for those venturing onto the trail where he was once hanged, he tries to plead his innocence. 

Mackinac Island, located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is a peaceful getaway famous for its scenic beauty, historic appeal, and spooky legends. In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it. 

Fort Mackinac: The Straits of Mackinac quickly became an important French fur trading location. The British took control of the Straits after the French and Indian War and built Fort Mackinac to protect their settlement from attack by French-Canadians and native tribes.//Source: Wikimedia

A Brief History of Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from Mackinac Island

The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is. 

The Hanging of Private James Brown on Rifle Range Trail

On February 1 in 1830, there was a hanging on Rifle Road on Mackinac Island between 10 am and 2 am. There was a lot of talk in the small town about it, but if it was ever made a spectacle remains a mystery. Many say that all the locals came to see the hanging, but we don’t really know. 

Corporal Hugh Flinn had been found dead, and Private James Brown was found guilty of his murder and hanged. They had argued the day he died and Brown walked by Flinn, sitting down at the mess room of the Soldier’s Barracks at Fort Mackinac. It was December 5 in 1828 and private James Brown entered the hall. A shot was heard and Flinn bled to death after the bullet hit his neck. 

Read Also: Fort Mackinac and the Ghosts of War 

What really happened that day at Fort Mackinac? Brown confessed that the shot had come from his rifle, but claimed that it had gone off by accident. There were 15 witnesses to the aftermath, not the shooting itself, and they claimed Brown had lowered his musket as he cried out: “My God, what have I done?”

Many believed in his innocence, including Governor Lewis Cass, who even asked the president, Andrew Jackson for a pardon for him. As they tried him, they kept him in the fort’s guardhouse. 

This pardon was not granted and he was found guilty of murder and hung to death on what is now close to the Rifle Range Trail. It was the only execution of its kind here. But it was not the end of the story of Brown. According to the locals, his spirit is still roaming the island, trying to convince the people who he appeared in front of to believe he was indeed innocent.

Ghost Haunting the Rifle Range Trail: There are miles and miles of trails on Mackinac Island. Some of them, like the Rifle Range Trail where the hanging occurred are said to be haunted by the ghost of the soldier. // Source/Zachary V. Sunderman

The Rifle Range Trail Ghost

On Mackinac Island there are over 70 miles of hiking trails, one of them going past where they once built a gallow especially for James Brown’s hanging, the only public hanging on the island. This particular trail known as Rifle Range Trail is said to be the place his ghost is appearing to haunt.

For eternity, his ghost roams Rifle Range Trail between Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac. People sometimes hear footsteps and get a feeling of being watched when they walk it. Some stories claim that he will appear to some and plead his innocence he insisted on until his death, still trying to get someone to believe in him. 

In addition to his spirit of James Brown haunting the Rifle Range Trail, there are plenty of military hauntings around the island. The sound of a fife has also been heard playing old military tunes in the morning fog close to the fort’s North Sally Port Entrance. In the end, who knows how many soldiers posted at this place is lingering as ghosts?

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References:

Fort Mackinac – Haunted Houses 

Hiking And Biking Trails – Mackinac Island 

The Hanging for the Murder of Hugh Flinn – Mackinac State Historic Parks 

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The Haunted Seminary Arch and the Mystical Village of Rachol in Goa

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Leading into the Rachol Village Seminary, the Seminary Arch from the ruined fort is still standing. So is the ghost of a lonesome soldier from Portuguese rule as well if we are to believe the stories. It is said he is still guarding the village, only letting them he deems worthy to enter. 

Perched on the scenic banks of the winding tidal Zuari River leading out into the Arabian Sea, the village of Rachol in Goa is a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. Yet, beneath its tranquil facade lies a chilling tale that has earned Rachol a reputation as one of Goa’s most haunted locations. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from India

The Salcete village also known as Raiturais is said to be protected by the ghost of a soldier from the Portuguese colonial era, a spectral sentinel who guards its entrance and keeps watch over its inhabitants said to linger under the Seminary Arch.

Rachol Seminary Arch

The Seminary Arch on Fr. Angelo Road is a significant historical monument, emblematic of Rachol’s rich past from when it was under the leadership of the Jesuits. It leads to the Rachol Seminary, one of the oldest and most prestigious theological institutes in Goa. It used to be connected to Rachol Fort, now only ruins remain of it. The Portuguese abandoned the fort, but the ghosts did not according to the stories.

The famous seminary, established by the Portuguese in the early 17th century, has educated countless clergymen and scholars over the centuries. 

The Seminary Arch: A lonesome soldier is still guarding the Rachol seminary arch. //Source: Wikimedia

The Soldier Haunting the Seminary Arch

According to local lore, the spirit of the soldier is often seen near this arch, meticulously dressed in his military attire. This ghostly figure is believed to patrol the area, ensuring that only those deemed worthy are allowed to enter the sacred grounds of Rachol. Who is worthy enough for this ghost though?

Read more: Check out The Redshirt Soldier in Biennale Gardens, The Haunted Observation Post Rock in War Torn Afghanistan and The Soldier Ghosts Haunting the Iconic Château de Chambord for ghost stories about soldiers still at their posts after their death. 

The origins of the haunting date back to the time when Goa was under Portuguese rule, so the ghosts are said to be centuries old. The soldier, whose name has been lost to history, is said to have been a fierce and loyal protector of the village. 

Locals recount numerous stories of strange occurrences and sightings, particularly around the Seminary Arch. It is also said that sightings of this ghost are said to happen around festivals and dates that are important for Portuguese culture, although exact dates are rarely mentioned.

Visitors and residents alike have reported witnessing the spectral soldier donning his uniform and performing his nightly patrol. Some have felt an inexplicable chill when passing under the arch, while others have heard the faint sound of footsteps and the clinking of armor. 

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The Ghosts of the Spanish Armada Stranded at Staad Abbey

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After the Spanish Armada were set ablaze in the North Sea, some of the soldiers sought refuge at Staad Abbey in Sligo, Ireland. However, many of them met a haunting fate. 

In the rugged embrace of County Sligo’s Atlantic coastline, history and the supernatural converge at the enigmatic Staad Abbey. This weathered relic from the early medieval period, now a haunting ruin, whispers tales of pilgrimage, tragedy, and apparitions that linger in the depths of time.

The name “Staad” is of Gaelic origins, meaning “stop.” In times gone by, this abbey served as a crucial waypoint for weary pilgrims en route to the nearby Inishmurray Island. Staad Abbey is an early monastic site from the late 5th or early 6th century, reputedly founded by the monk, St Molaise. You can find the ruins of the old abbey in Agharrow, County Sligo, right on the cliff above the beach there.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Staad Abbey can also be called a shore hostel, for travelers to stay in on their journey before venturing to Inishmurray by boat.

Ghosts of Spanish Soldiers

While the abbey’s history is imbued with the essence of spiritual seekers, it is also shrouded in a more sinister narrative. Local lore tells of the restless spirits of executed Spanish soldiers who now call this ruined abbey home. 

Staad Abbey: Only a few rubble stone is left from this ancient monument now.// Source: IrishPost

They came on a ship from the Spanish Armada in 1588 that was passing the Irish coast after rounding the north of Scotland. 

The Spanish Armada

The Spanish Armada was a formidable naval force consisting of approximately 130 ships, over 8,000 seamen, and around 18,000 soldiers, with about 40 warships among them. The Spanish plan was for this massive fleet, known as the “Great and Most Fortunate Navy,” to sail from Lisbon. The combined forces would then cross the English Channel to launch an overland offensive against London.

In May 1588, the Spanish Armada set sail from Lisbon. The English, desperate to prevent this, devised a plan involving fireships. At midnight on August 8, they set eight empty vessels on fire and allowed them to drift toward the Spanish fleet at Calais Roads. This caused panic among the Armada, forcing them to flee to the open sea.

The Spanish Armada: Defeat of the Spanish Armada, history painting by Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg (1796)

The Armada, now facing bad weather, was carried into the North Sea, preventing the rendezvous with Parma’s army. With supplies running low and disease spreading, the Duke of Medina-Sidonia decided to return to Spain via Scotland and Ireland. During the journey home, the Armada was ravaged by sea storms, leading to the loss of around 60 of its 130 ships and approximately 15,000 lives.

The treacherous Atlantic Ocean has claimed many a ship, but one of the most infamous tragedies unfolded in 1588 when the Spanish Armada met its demise off the shores of Streedagh Beach, near Staad Abbey. Over 1,000 souls perished in the relentless tempests, and among the survivors, despair mingled with hope.

The Spanish Soldier at Staad Abbey

Unfortunately, the survivors of the Armada’s ill-fated expedition did not find refuge but instead faced a grim fate. In the backdrop of the British occupation of Ireland, these Spanish soldiers, considered enemies of the realm, were captured and subjected to a ruthless judgment.

One of the survivors was Francisco de Cuellar. A few months after surviving the sinking of the Spanish Armada ship La Lavia on Streedagh Beach, Francisco de Cuellar sought refuge in Staad Abbey in 1588. Upon his arrival, he discovered that the church was partially burned, and he saw twelve Spaniards hanged from the rafters. He had encountered hundreds dead soldiers on the nearby beaches as well.

De Cuellar stayed at Staad Abbey for a few weeks before fleeing again. There is some debate about whether it was actually Staad Abbey he visited or another medieval church in the vicinity, possibly Ahamlish Church, located just north of Streedagh, where the ships from the Spanish Armada sank.

The Sinking Haunted Ruins

It is said that the desolation of Staad Abbey is not confined to its crumbling stones and windswept arches. Visitors have reported an eerie, bone-chilling coldness that hangs in the air. 

Shadows dance along the walls, seemingly floating across the ancient stones, evoking the memory of those ill-fated Spanish soldiers who met their end at this lonely ruin.

As you stand amidst the solemn ruins of Staad Abbey which are slowly being eroded away, the whispers of the past beckon, inviting you to contemplate the pilgrims’ journey, the tragic shipwrecks, and the ghosts that may still linger among the timeless stones. Soon it can be too late as the abbey itself is close to collapsing as it edges closer to the cliffs for every storm. 

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References:

Staad Abbey 

County Sligo: 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles 

Sligo medieval church that once housed remnants of Spanish Armada perilously close to collapsing off cliff | The Irish Post

Spanish Armada – Defeat & Definition 

Francisco de Cuellar – Wikipedia 

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The Soldier Ghosts Haunting the Iconic Château de Chambord

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Get to know one of the most iconic castles in France – Château de Chambord. The grand castle is, according to legend, designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. And it is also said that the castle is haunted by the souls of the soldiers of the Franco-Prussian War.

Built by King Francis I in the 1600s, the Château de Chambord is one of France’s most iconic castles in the Loire Valley in the heart of France because of its distinct French Renaissance architecture. 

The Château was originally built to be a hunting lodge for King Francis I and it is filled with centuries of history, the majestic site quickly became one of the country’s biggest attractions and remains a must-see destination for travelers today. 

History of Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord was built by King Francis I of France from 1519 to 1547. The property took 14 years to build and stretch out an impressive 52,000 square meters (558,000 sq feet). 

Its design was a blend of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with a blend of French and Italian elements the French brought home from Italy after the Hundred Years’ War. The castle is surrounded by a park 5 km (3 miles) in circumference and is home to 46 staircases, 282 fireplaces, and 440 rooms.

Designed by Leonardo Da Vinci?

The immense double staircase is an exceptional feature of the Château de Chambord, which according to legend was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, although the true architect behind it is much disputed. This design which blends together two symmetrical independent spiral staircases is perhaps one of its most remarkable features. In order to ensure this symmetry, both staircases ascend the same height and never meet each other. 

Château de Chambord’s double helix also intersects with multiple rooms, creating spectacular illusions by allowing visitors to originate from any point of departure and remain completely unseen from anyone in the opposite staircase.

The Hauntings at Château de Chambord

Rumors about paranormal activity in the castle have been around since the 19th century and the castle has been abandoned many times during the long war years, revolution and so on. Many visitors reported seeing mysterious figures and hearing strange, unexplained noises inside its walls. 

During the Franco-Prussian War from 1870-1871 the Château de Chambord was used as a field hospital. The war was between the Second French Empire and The North German Confederation that ended in German victory. It also ended in over 40 000 deaths on the German side and over 138 000 deaths on the French side. 

Many were taken to the Château de Chambord that was a field hospital back then and ended their lives there. After this, people in the grand Château claim to see the ghosts of the dead soldiers still wandering the halls and the grand staircase. 

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References

Château de Chambord – Wikipedia

Franco-Prussian War – Wikipedia 

France’s Top 5 Haunted Castles 

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The Redshirt Soldier in Biennale Gardens

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A ghost in a red shirt used to haunt the Biennale Gardens in Venice. The former soldier had to uphold his promise to protect his hero, Garibaldi, even in death. 

In the Castello district in Venice, in the Giardini della Biennale there is a statue of a soldier of Garibaldi, a hero of the Italian Unification. If you look closely though, there is another statue to see. Right behind Garibaldi’s statue there is a bronze statue of a lesser known soldier that is still standing guard, right behind Garibaldi’s back in the garden. 

Garibaldi himself was an Italian general, patriot, revolutionary and republican. He is remembered as a big contributor to the Italian unification and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. 

The statue of the soldier was once a man named Giuseppe Zolli. He was a local and studied at the University of Padua before joining Italy’s independence war in 1859. He joined what became known as the Camice Rosse, or the Redshirts. These were volunteering men that followed Garibaldi and fought against the Austrian Empire, The kingdom of Two Sicilies and the Papal States among others and were very famous at the time. 

RedShirts: A typical redshirt worn by Garibaldi’s men

The young soldier, Giuseppe Zolli was so dedicated to this man that he swore an oath to always guard him, even in his death. Because he did die in service during the Mille Expedition or the Expedition of the Thousand, a mission to take back Southern Italy from Bourbon rule. 

After he died he was buried on the island of San Michele, which is the cemetery of Venice. 

The statue of Zolli wasn’t placed there until 1921, when people started to notice strange things happening around the war heroes monument. People reported of a ghostly soldier all dressed in a red shirt tripping and tugging at people passing by the monument. An elderly man living close by recognized the soldier as Zolli and told them all about his promise. The city then decided to erect a statue in his honor. 

However, if you are looking for the ghostly soldier, he is probably nowhere to be found. After they placed the statue of the soldier, there were apparently no more sightings of the ghost, as he would be able to always stand guard of his hero, just as he promised. 

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Ghost Stories from the Gettysburg Battlefield

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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.

The Battle of Gettysburg: This is a picture after the first day of fighting on Stevens’ Knoll, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle would last for three days and be the bloodiest battle during the American Civil War.

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. 

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Conn Barracks Ghosts of Nazi Soldiers and Bloody Nurses

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In an old nazi soldier camp in Germany called Conn Barracks there are still those thinking they never left. Several American soldiers tell about the ghost of them still haunting the place.

One of the most freakiest types of barracks are the ones that were used as a Nazi psych ward during world war two. The Conn Barracks is just outside of the Schweinfurth city limits in Germany. 

The Conn Barracks was before the war, known as Flugplatz Schweinfurt, constructed as a Luftwaffe airfield particularly for Stuka pilots built in 1936. During the war it was a bomber base mainly, and according to legend, also used as a sort of hospital or a psych ward of some sort. 

Although not likely to be the main thing for the barracks, it makes sense there was some sort of hospital-like place during this type of place during the war. Especially considering this particular barrack went through seventeen bombing attacks from the allied.

After the war the Americans took control and renamed the whole place Schweinfurt Air Base which Conn Barracks is a part of. Like many former Nazi camps, barracks and other military places it was in the hands of the American Military and it was used by them until 2014 when most American forces pulled out of Germany. At its peak Schweinfurt Air Base housed around 11 000 people, soldiers as well as their families. 

The Nazi Soldier and Bloody Nurse

When Conn Barracks was used as living quarters by the Americans, they occupied the space above a former drainage room where the Nazis stored their bodies before embalming them, according to the stories. Whether true or not is a bit tricky to confirm or deny, but in any case it is from these particular rooms many of the paranormal reports about Conn Barracks come from. 

At least two American soldiers on two separate occasions in the same room. In the middle of the night they woke from their sleep and saw a Nazi soldier together with a nurse covered in blood, standing by their beds. 

The soldiers are unable to move at all as the visitations from the ghosts are there. The Nazi soldier kept saying something to the nurse in German, almost as if he was giving orders. The nurse leans over the bed with a sad face and chokes the soldier until they go back to sleep. 

More Than One Ghost

But it is not only bloody nurses and nazi soldiers that have been whispered about in Conn Barracks. 

Another ghost that allegedly haunts the old barracks is that of a young woman carrying a fetus as she floats down the hallways. Who and what happened there will probably remain a mystery. 

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The Colonial Ghosts in Caldwell Cemetery

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In the bright summer village of Lake George you find the old Caldwell Cemetery. It holds the tombstones and the ghosts of the place’s bloody and disease ridden past. 

The village of Lake George is named after the lake with the same name who is also nicknamed The Queen of American Lakes. It is a beautiful northern village today and a popular place to visit in the summer. But this summer colony has a bloody past that is said to haunt the place to this day. 

One of the supposedly haunted places is at the local graveyard. The Caldwell Cemetery is an old cemetery with over 200 years the place having been used as a burial ground in Lake George in Warren County, New York. 

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It is an eerie looking graveyard even by day and the tombstones you find north of the cemetery are almost disappearing into the woods. 

Smallpox Victims from Fort William Henry

It was here in Caldwell Cemetery the victims of smallpox from Fort William Henry were buried. There was a big outbreak of smallpox there and it is the Colonial soldiers that are said to haunt the place. 

Haunted Cemetery: Caldwell Cemetery in Lake George is said to be haunted by more than one ghost. Source/find a grave

It is not only Caldwell Cemetery that is said to be haunted by soldiers in Lake George mind you. Now it is mostly known for being portrayed in the novel The Last of the Mohicans. But before it served as a place in the novel, Fort William Henry was also a place where many battles took place as it was on the route between the French and British colonies during the French and Indian War. The fort itself has a very haunted rumor as well as being a stop on the haunted history tour in the area. 

Smallpox used to be an extremely deadly virus. In America it is estimated that it killed up to 90 percent of the indigenous population. This was something that the commanders in the British forces took advantage of as an early biological weapon. The commander in chief, Lord Jeffry Amherst handed out smallpox-infected blankets to the natives in 1763. 

But also the soldiers of the British forces were not immune to it. And although the vaccine for it had already been used for a while, it was still claiming lies during the outbreak at the fort. Some sources place the outbreak in 1810, something that seems highly unlikely. 

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Historical Accuracy of the Fort William Henry

If it ever was an outbreak though among the soldiers is a bit clouded, as the Fort were said to be abandoned after the Siege of Fort William Henry in 1757, and left in ruins for over 200 years before being rebuilt in the 1950s. Meaning that the fort you can visit today is nothing more of a replica.

Under Siege: Depiction of the Siege of Fort William Henry in 1757.

Also, as the U.S got its independence from Britain in 1776, there would not have been any British colonial soldiers at the Fort in 1810 anyway. 

What about the smallpox victims in Caldwell Cemetery then? Even though the years and dates from most sources date the smallpox outbreak to 1810, it could very well have been much earlier. Fort William Henry before the siege was known to be in bad condition with frequent outbreaks of smallpox. 

So who is to say really, that there weren’t really any soldiers victim to the disease from Fort William Henry that are still roaming Caldwell Cemetery? 

The Ghost Soldiers in Caldwell Cemetery

The haunting rumors appear to have very military details to it as it is said to be mostly the soldiers of the fort that are haunting the grounds. Those who claim to have experienced something paranormal at the place tell about smelling burnt gunpowder as well as hearing the sound of musket fire when entering the graveyard. The ghosts that are spotted are often reported to be wearing a soldier uniform. 

And considering both Fort William Henry as well as the place around Lake George itself, the lingering presence of the spirits from the soldiers dying in the battles over the years makes sense. 

The Grave of the Founding Father

There is however, not only soldiers from colonial times that have created paranormal rumors and ghost stories in Caldwell Cemetery. And that is where the founding father of the place comes in. 

Before being renamed, Lake George was known as Caldwell, named after the founder of the place in 1810 (which might be why 1810 keeps showing up in accounts of the hauntings of the graveyard).

According to the author Lynda Lee Macken who writes books about haunted places, she tells her own story of a paranormal experience. When she was a teenager she was investigating Caldwell Cemetery with friends when one of the burial vaults started to glow orange.

The next day when she went back to further investigate she found that the tomb belonged to the founder of Lake George, James Caldwell, an Irish Presbyterian buried in a Catholic churchyard. 

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The haunted places of Lake George Village

Haunted Lake George, New York – GhostQuest.net

The Rise and Fall of Smallpox – HISTORY

Siege of Fort William Henry – Wikipedia