The Ghosts Of Gettysburg

"The Ghosts of Gettysburg" refers to the various ghost stories and paranormal activities reported in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. Many believe that the immense loss of life and intense emotions during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 have led to a high level of supernatural activity.

Timeline of Historical Events

July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg: One of the most significant and bloodiest battles of the American Civil War takes place. Over 50,000 soldiers are killed, wounded, or missing.

July 4, 1863: Aftermath and Casualties: The town and surrounding areas are overwhelmed with the dead and wounded. The battle is seen as a turning point in the Civil War.

November 19, 1863: Gettysburg Address: President Abraham Lincoln delivers his famous address during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery.
Notable Paranormal Occurrences

Late 1800s - Early 1900s: First Reports of Ghostly Activity: Soldiers and visitors to the battlefield start reporting sightings of ghostly apparitions, strange sounds, and other unexplained phenomena.

1920s-1940s: Increased Reports: As Gettysburg becomes a popular tourist destination, more visitors report encountering paranormal activity, including ghostly soldiers and mysterious lights on the battlefield.

1960s-1980s: Rise of Paranormal Investigations: With the advent of modern paranormal investigation techniques, groups begin conducting formal investigations at Gettysburg. Numerous EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings and photographs purportedly showing ghostly figures are captured.

1991: Mark Nesbitt's "Ghosts of Gettysburg": Historian and author Mark Nesbitt publishes his book "Ghosts of Gettysburg," documenting various ghost stories and paranormal encounters in the area. The book's popularity leads to increased interest in Gettysburg's haunted history.

1990s-Present: Growth of Ghost Tours: Numerous ghost tours and paranormal investigations are conducted regularly. Sites like the Gettysburg Battlefield, Jennie Wade House, and Farnsworth House Inn become well-known for their hauntings.

2000s-Present: Ongoing Paranormal Activity: Reports of paranormal activity continue, with visitors and investigators experiencing phenomena such as apparitions of soldiers, disembodied voices, cold spots, and the feeling of being watched.

Specific Paranormal Hotspots

Devil’s Den:
Known for sightings of ghostly soldiers and mysterious photographs capturing apparitions.

Little Round Top:
Reports of ghostly soldiers appearing and disappearing, sounds of battle, and cold spots.

Gettysburg College:
Apparitions of soldiers and hospital scenes from the Civil War era reported by students and staff.

Farnsworth House Inn:
Reports of ghostly children, soldiers, and other entities. The inn is known for its highly active paranormal environment.

Jennie Wade House:
Visitors report hearing Jennie Wade’s voice, feeling her presence, and seeing her apparition.
These stories and reports contribute to the rich tapestry of Gettysburg’s haunted history, making it one of the most famous haunted locations in the United States.

Here are some of the most famous ghost sightings and paranormal occurrences in Gettysburg, along with their descriptions:

1. The Phantom Regiment at Devil’s Den
Numerous visitors have reported seeing a full regiment of ghostly soldiers at Devil’s Den. These apparitions often appear as solid figures, marching or standing in formation, and then suddenly vanish. Witnesses also report hearing the sounds of battle, including gunfire and cannon blasts.

2. The Haunted Orphanage
The Gettysburg Orphanage is known for its eerie atmosphere and paranormal activity. Visitors have reported hearing children's laughter, cries, and footsteps. Some have seen apparitions of children and caretakers, and others have felt unseen hands tugging at their clothes.

3. The Ghost of Jennie Wade
Jennie Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, is said to haunt her former home. Visitors often report hearing her voice, feeling cold spots, and seeing her apparition moving through the house. Some have also reported objects moving on their own.

4. The Spectral Soldiers of Little Round Top
Little Round Top is another hotspot for ghostly activity. Witnesses have seen apparitions of Union soldiers, including a famous sighting of a bearded man in a Union uniform who is thought to be the spirit of a soldier named O’Rorke. People have also heard the sounds of battle and experienced sudden drops in temperature.

5. The Mysterious Woman at Sachs Covered Bridge
Sachs Covered Bridge is reputed to be haunted by the spirits of Confederate soldiers who were hanged there. Additionally, sightings of a mysterious woman in period clothing have been reported. She appears on the bridge and sometimes interacts with visitors before disappearing.

6. The Blue Boy at Gettysburg College
One of the most famous ghost stories at Gettysburg College involves the "Blue Boy," a spectral figure of a young boy who appears in a blue coat. He is often seen near the campus's buildings, especially near Pennsylvania Hall, which served as a hospital during the battle. Students and staff report hearing his footsteps and seeing his apparition.

7. The Phantom Sentinels at the Wheatfield
The Wheatfield saw intense fighting during the battle, and many soldiers lost their lives there. Witnesses have reported seeing ghostly sentinels, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing unexplained cold spots. Some have captured strange mists and lights on camera.

8. The Tragic Spirits of Spangler’s Spring
Spangler’s Spring is known for its eerie occurrences. Visitors report seeing ghostly soldiers, hearing the sounds of moaning and cries for help, and feeling a sense of overwhelming sadness. The spring area is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died seeking water during the battle.

9. The Apparitions at the Farnsworth House Inn
The Farnsworth House Inn is one of Gettysburg’s most haunted locations. Guests and staff have reported seeing apparitions of Confederate soldiers, hearing footsteps, and experiencing poltergeist activity. The spirit of a young boy named Jeremy, who reportedly died in the house, is also frequently encountered.

These sightings contribute to Gettysburg's reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the United States, attracting numerous paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters.

Several investigations have been conducted at Gettysburg to explore its reputed hauntings, often with compelling findings. Here are some notable investigations and their conclusions:

1. Ghost Hunters (TAPS)
Investigation: The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), featured on the TV show "Ghost Hunters," conducted investigations at Gettysburg multiple times.
Conclusions: They captured various EVP recordings, including voices of soldiers and sounds of battle. They also reported witnessing shadowy figures and unexplained movements, lending credibility to the claims of paranormal activity.

2. Ghost Adventures
Investigation: The "Ghost Adventures" team investigated several sites in Gettysburg, including the Jennie Wade House and the Gettysburg Orphanage.
Conclusions: The team recorded numerous EVPs, saw unexplained apparitions, and experienced physical interactions such as cold spots and touches. Their findings supported many local ghost stories.

3. Gettysburg Paranormal Association (GPA)
Investigation: GPA conducts ongoing investigations in and around Gettysburg. They use a variety of equipment, including thermal cameras, EMF meters, and audio recorders.
Conclusions: GPA has documented many instances of paranormal activity, including EVPs, thermal images of unexplained figures, and unusual EMF readings. They conclude that Gettysburg is indeed a hotspot for paranormal phenomena.

4. Mark Nesbitt’s Investigations
Investigation: Historian and author Mark Nesbitt, known for his "Ghosts of Gettysburg" series, has conducted numerous investigations.
Conclusions: Nesbitt's work has yielded numerous personal experiences and documented evidence, such as photographs and recordings of ghostly figures and sounds. His findings suggest a strong presence of residual energy from the Civil War.

5. The International Ghost Hunters Society (IGHS)
Investigation: IGHS has conducted multiple investigations at Gettysburg, focusing on locations like Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, and the Wheatfield.
Conclusions: Their investigations have produced several EVP recordings and photographic evidence of apparitions and orbs. They concluded that Gettysburg's high level of paranormal activity is consistent with the intense emotional and physical trauma experienced during the battle.

6. Pennsylvania Paranormal Association (PPA)
Investigation: PPA investigated several Gettysburg locations, employing both traditional and scientific methods.
Conclusions: They documented a variety of unexplained phenomena, including ghostly voices, shadow figures, and physical sensations like cold spots and touches. Their findings support the presence of paranormal activity in Gettysburg.

7. Local Historical Societies and Researchers
Investigation: Local historians and paranormal researchers have conducted numerous informal investigations over the years.
Conclusions: These investigations have often resulted in personal encounters with apparitions, unexplained noises, and other phenomena. The consistent nature of these reports from different sources adds weight to the claims of hauntings.

Common Findings Across Investigations:
EVP Recordings: Voices, moans, and cries that are often identified as Civil War soldiers or other historical figures.
Apparitions: Sightings of full-bodied apparitions of soldiers, children, and civilians from the 19th century.
Physical Sensations: Unexplained cold spots, feelings of being touched or watched.
Photographic Evidence: Images capturing orbs, mists, and shadowy figures.
Residual Energy: Many investigators conclude that Gettysburg's hauntings are largely residual, meaning they are imprints of past events replaying, rather than intelligent hauntings.

Overall, while skeptics argue for natural explanations, the sheer volume and consistency of paranormal reports at Gettysburg make it one of the most compelling cases for the existence of supernatural phenomena.