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October ghost series: Gettysburg National Military Park

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During the American Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg left more than 50,000 total casualties, making it one of the bloodiest battles in American history. The battlefield is now the home of numerous spirits.

The Devil’s Den

The famous rock formation known as the Devil’s Den was served as a Confederate sniper’s nest during the battle. Ghost sightings have been a common occurrence for the Den since the end of the battle. Witnesses have reported hearing unexplained battle sounds echoing throughout the jumbles of rocks.

Photographers have noted to seeing a figure of a solider. His hair was long and unkept, he was shoeless and in ragged clothing. Spirits have even communicated with witnesses before vanishing without a trace.

Along with these specific occurrences have been more generally reported ones such as cavalrymen, riding horseback appearing and vanishing moments later, and the sound of shouts, gunshots, and cries.

The Children’s Orphanage

During the Battle of Gettysburg, a private home was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers. It’s cellars began to quickly fill with the bodies of the dead and dying soldiers.

Once the Battle had concluded, the house became the National Soldier’s Orphanage Homestead that housed children, who had lost their parents in battle. After rising to the role of headmistress, Ms. Rosa J. Carmichael was rumored to have tortured and chained orphan children in a dungeon she had secretly created within the cellars.

Various cases of supernatural activities have been reported to the site. They are often linked back to Carmichael and the lost souls of the tormented children.

The Ghost of Jennie Wade

Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade was only 20 years old when she was mistakenly shot and killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. She was the only civilian to die during the Battle.

During the heat of the Battle, a stray bullet flew through the wooden door and into the kitchen where young Wade stood. The bullet struck her in her heart causing Wade’s life to suddenly and tragically came to an end.

Now, her house stands haunted by her ghost, where there have been reports of high spirit activity. The sound of unanswered voices, unexplained movement, and fearful screams of a disincorporated spirit have been hurt by numerous visitors.

To read more about the spooky tales located at the Gettysburg National Military Park, click the link to access their website.

The Ghosts of Gettysburg

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