Ghosts of Shiloh

By Crusader1307

The 6^th and 7^th of April, 1862 – is noted in The American Civil War as being the epic Western Theater  (Tennessee) fight, known as The Battle of Shiloh. Important for both sides as a victory, The South had the upper hand on the first day of battle. But their lack to seize their success, allowed Federal Forces to re-group and win the contest. Over 100,000 men on both sides gathered, with the total lost being over 25,000. Names such as ‘’The Peach Orchard’’ and ‘’The Hornet’s Nest’’ were known by both sides for the appalling lost of life. In time, nature would clear the obvious scars of War. But it is well known by the thousands who visit The National Park and those who work there, that many of those killed – still remain. Shiloh is seen as being one of the few ‘’most haunted’’ battlefields in The US. It is very common for people to hear (at night), the crack of a musket or boom of a cannon (in the distance). The heavy tramping of many men marching thru the woods are another common report – as is the distant ‘’beat of a snare drum’’. But the most bizarre is ‘’Bloody Pond’’. It was at this water source that hundreds of Rebel and Yankee soldiers, mortally wounded – dragged themselves to the banks of the pond to drink one last time before dying. Hundred of corpses filled the banks and water – so much so that the very water turned red from Their blood.

Today, a similar phenomenon happens in the summer. Park Rangers note that The Pond still turns ‘’blood red’’. But this is blamed on direct sunlight effecting algae and plankton (who release fluids into the water, creating a red tinge). But oddly, this phenomenon was not reported BEFORE the epic fight. Another well known ‘’hot spot’’ would be Dunkard Church. A rude wooden Protestant Church, it was abandoned before the battle and served as Field Hospital for both sides at different times. The reported oddity here? Photography of both the interior and exterior is notoriously difficult. The cause? Constant ‘’white misty images’’ (like smoke), appear in the developed frame (regardless of traditional film or digital medium). Perhaps ''images’’ of long lost and confused Spirits?

The final note is the Mass Graves. It was common after large 19^th Century battles to simply bury the dead (especially Enemy dead), in Mass Graves. Shiloh had (5) such, with the largest holding over 700 remains. Unknown and never identified, these locations throughout the battlefield are well known spot for Ghost sightings (figures) as well as the iconic and equally unexplained ‘’Orbs’’ (both day and night).