8 historical (yet haunted) battlefields in Virginia
At these haunted battlefields in Virginia, bloody histories and ghostly legends come together.
Nowadays, Virginia’s rolling hills and tranquil plains may appear peaceful at first glance. However, they were the site of bloodshed and sacrifice in years past.
From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, the commonwealth has served as the site of several of the country’s most tragic and bloody battles. As a result of the conflicts, scars have been left on the landscape, and tales of soldiers who perished have been left behind on the battlefields.
Those who are fascinated by ghost stories and history will likely find Virginia’s battlefields to be a chilling mixture of both. Those seeking haunted battlefields may consider visiting legendary sites such as Manassas, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, and Yorktown, as well as some lesser-known locations, where the tragic events of the past remain present. Whether you want to connect with the paranormal or simply explore commonwealth history, these eight haunted battlefields are worth a visit.
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park
Location: 6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA 20109
Manassas National Battlefield Park is the location of two clashes between Union and Confederate troops. The first battle, which featured heavy fighting overlooking Bull Run, took place in 1861. The second one, which took place in 1862 on the plains of Manassas, resulted in a clear victory for the Confederacy.
During the First Battle at Manassas, there were 4,878 casualties out of the 60,680 forces that were engaged. The Union suffered more losses. Much more deadly, the Second Battle at Manassas ended with 21,849 casualties out of the 125,000 forces that were engaged. The Union suffered 14,462 losses, while the Confederacy suffered 7,387 losses.
Given that it was the site of two battles, the site surely has a ghostly soldier still lingering around. In fact, those inclined to the paranormal claim that they’ve seen shadows of Civil War soldiers crossing the Bull Run Stone Bridge, which was destroyed in 1862 but rebuilt in 1884. They also claim to hear the slight sound of cannon fire.
2. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Location: 1013 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park is described by the National Park Service as “where the Civil War roared to its bloody climax.” During the conflicts at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, more than 85,000 men were wounded, with 15,000 deaths. Many of the men killed ended up in unmarked graves.
Those looking to explore the potentially haunted nature of the park should consider visiting the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. Additionally, the Sunken Road is the site of many haunted encounters. Visitors have reported hearing faint cries of war along the road.
3. Richmond National Battlefield Park
Location: 3215 E Broad St., Richmond, VA 23223
Richmond National Battlefield Park features 13 different sites across the greater Richmond area that were involved in various conflicts during the Civil War between 1861 and 1865. Malvern Hill Battlefield, the location where Confederate troops attempted to attack up the slope of Malvern Hill in 1862, is one of the sites. Given their position, the Federal troops were victorious.
The battlefield is now considered the best-preserved battlefield in the Richmond area. It’s perfect for those seeking to connect with Civil War-era ghosts, with over 2 miles of walking trails. While walking, listen to the audio podcast, which is specifically designed to be listened to on the trail.
Cold Harbor Battlefield in Hanover, where an intense battle was fought, is said to be haunted by an eerie, thick fog engulfing the battlefield. Paranormal researcher Beth Brown even included it in her book “Haunted Battlefields.”
4. Petersburg National Battlefield
Location: 1539 Hickory Hill Rd., Petersburg, VA 23803
Petersburg National Battlefield commemorates the longest military event of the Civil War, lasting for 295 days. It consisted of eight offensives that resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 soldiers.
Given the number of deaths, actions on the part of the government had to be taken to lay the bodies to rest. As a result, Congress passed an act in 1862 to allow the president to buy land to establish National Cemeteries, which were normally near the site of significant battles. Some were buried in single shallow graves, while others were buried in mass graves with the only identification being a small wooden headboard. Poplar Grove National Cemetery at Petersburg is one such example.
Given the destruction caused during the event, it stands to reason that the battlefield very well may be haunted. In the past, a paranormal investigation event was held at Pamplin Historical Park, which looked into how those who perished on the site might still be haunting it.
5. Third Winchester Battlefield Park
Location: 541 Redbud Rd., Winchester, VA 22603
Third Winchester Battlefield Park is the site where over 8,600 men perished during a back-and-forth struggle between the Confederate and Federal armies in 1864. More than 54,000 men partook in the battle, with the Federal infantry and cavalry pushing through the Confederate troops’ left flank.
Spanning over 600 acres with 6 miles of walking trails, the park has plenty of haunted history to uncover. Some visitors have reported hearing distant battle noises, including cannons and battle cries, along with spotting shadows moving along the battlefield. It’s open from dawn until dusk.
6. Cross Keys Battlefield
Location: 4232 Bowtie Dr., Port Republic, VA 24471
Cross Keys Battlefield is where the Battle of Cross Keys, one of the significant battles of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign, took place. It resulted in the Confederate triumph over the Union armies, which allowed Jackson to connect with Robert E Lee in Richmond.
A smaller number of forces, 17,300, were engaged during the battle. It resulted in 972 casualties, with the majority being on the Union side.
Today, the battlefield consists of 533 preserved acres. One visitor reported experiencing the eerie feeling that a sense of humanity still lingered on the battlefield.
7. New Market Battlefield
Location: 9500 George Collins Prwy., New Market, VA 22844
In 1864, Confederate troops under the command of Gen. John C. Breckinridge emerged victorious during a battle against the Union troops under the command of Gen. Franz Sigel. The site of the battle, New Market Battlefield, may surprise many, given the peaceful pastoral landscape.
The battle resulted in 1,372 deaths, with the majority being on the Union side. Although smaller, only 273 acres, the site might still be as haunted as the others in the Shenandoah Valley. In fact, spirit lantern tours of the battlefield are held to share its haunted history.
8. Yorktown Battlefield
Location: 1000 Colonial National Historical Pkwy., Yorktown, VA 23690
Unlike most of the others, Yorktown Battlefield is likely haunted by colonial-era ghosts. It was the site of George Washington’s siege of General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British troops in 1781, which marked the end of the war.
During the battle, 28,900 forces were engaged, with 8,978 casualties. Astonishingly, most of the British troops, 8,589, died, with only 389 American troops being slain.
The battlefield can be visited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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