John Banks Goes Looking for Lt. Crocker, Unsung Hero of Battle of Shepherdstown-- Part 1: 'My House Is Haunted'

From the December 2021 Civil War Times magazine "No Man Left Behind" by John Banks.

Every so often, John Banks' blog makes an appearance in the hallowed pages of this magazine (I believe it was the first non-veteran regular magazine published).  This is how I became aware of him and now I often go to Mr. Banks' blog as he writes more than one blog a month.

He often travels to the spot he's talking about in his post, as he did for the Battle of Shepherdstown. 

Now, remember, until recently I really didn't know anything about this battle.  I've learned a lot and it was quite the coincidence that the battle would be featured again.

John Banks' goal was to walk in the footsteps of 118th Pennsylvania Lieutenant Lemuel Croker "whose heroics on September 20, 1862, in the final Maryland Campaign should be legendary."

They, unfortunately, are not, but Mr. Banks makes a good point of support for the lieutenant.  

In typical John Banks style, he meets an interesting character who will take him on a tour of the battlefield, but had some time to kill, so finished his cup of coffee in the Sweet Shop Bakery.  

Because of the likelihood of ghosts since the building was used as a Confederate hospital in the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, the war's single bloodiest day, he asks the woman behind the counter is that creeps her out.

She tells him:  "My own house is haunted so it really doesn't bother me."

And, then John was off.

--Old Secesh

Civil War-Themed Events in Springfield This April-- Part 1: Ghosts and Death

With such a tie to Abraham Lincoln, it is not surprising that Springfield, Illinois, would have a lot of related events during the year.

Here are the ones listed in the Springfield 2016 Visitors Guide:

LINCOLN'S GHOSTWALK: LEGENDS & LORE--  (From  March 8-Nov. 1)  Downtown Springfield.

This 90-minute, 10-block walking tour uses Lincoln sites as the backdrop for the strange and bizarre history surrounding Lincoln's life and death.  Admission

LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL HALF MARATHON--  Old State Capitol.  (April 2)  Run where Lincoln walked past Springfield's major Lincoln sites, including his home and tomb.  Admission

SUVCW DEATH DAY PROGRAM--  (April 9)  Lincoln Tomb  A ceremony commemorating the 151st anniversary of President Lincoln's death.  The ceremony starts with a military parade, followed by several speeches, the laying of wreaths and culminates with taps.  Free

SUVCW--  Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

More.

The Fort's Haunted, Fort Fisher, That Is

Not only do Confederate soldiers haunt Fort Fisher (probably some Yankees as well), but also stories abound that a Confederate general does as well.

From Creepy NC.com.

Fort Fisher, an almost impregnable fortress finally fell to an attack of practically the entire Union fleet and the fact that Confederate General Bragg refused to help the fort. (Well, there was also the Union Army and the Naval Column.)

Confederate General W.H.C. Whiting was wounded and later died from complications of it in a Union prison. Reports have his spirit keeping a ghostly watch out to sea from the fort's remaining parapets.

Whiting did not have to be at the fort during the attack Jan. 13-15, 1865, but came anyway, saying to the fort's commander, Col. William Lamb, "Lamb, my boy. I have come to share your fate."

He was born in Mississippi and graduated West Point at the top of his class and was once also a division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia.

During the hand-to-hand fighting after Union forces gained entrance into the fort, at one point he was called upon to surrender and replied, "Go to hell!!." I've also heard his words were, "Go to hell you Yankee bastards."

Stories are that you can see his ghost on the parapets at dusk.

That About Boos Up the Story. --Old B-Runner

If It's Halloween, It Must Be Fort Fisher

From the Encore Online. Wilmington's Alternative Newspaper.

A "Spooktacular" planned at the old fort by the Fort Fisher State Recreation Team this Saturday, Oct. 21st. Include will be true ghost stories, gory games, hayrides, trick-or-treating and lots of other activities.

For those of you wanting a little more scare for your buck, there is the hour-long 3rd Annual Ghost Walk along trails normally closed to the public.

One ghost often seen is a Confederate guard.

A ranger at the park was locking up when she had a strange sensation that she was being watched. When getting into her car, she saw a "man in blue pants" walking toward her. He disappeared when she shone her flashlight his way.

Also, there is the famous Fort Fisher Hermit who occupied a World War II bunker for many years until he turned up mysteriously murdered in 1972.

Too Spooky for Me. --Old B-Runner

Ghosts at Fort Fisher?

From www.ghosts.com

Both Confederate commanders at Fort Fisher, NC, Colonel Lamb and General Whiting, were wounded in the second battle and both died of the injuries. (Well actually, Whiting died a month later of complications and Lamb lived into the 1900s.)

Ghost sightings began three years after the 1865 battle at a reunion. Three Confederate veterans were walking around and "saw a figure of a man wearing an officer's uniform raise his sword, calling them to follow. As they got closer, they recognized him as General Whiting and as they started to realize what was happening the apparition disappeared."

Other paranormal activity at the fort: An apparition has been seen in the woods (perhaps a Confederate sentinel standing guard?) Footsteps have been heard on the wooden walkways. Locked doors have been opened. The sound of gunshots and cannons have been heard.

I have been to Fort Fisher many times, but have never seen or heard anything out of the ordinary, but, who knows. And, it isn't even Halloween yet.

Like, BOO!!!-- Old B-Runner

Is Fort Fisher, NC, Haunted?

In keeping with this scary season, the Carolina Beach Today blog wanted to know if the fort was actually haunted. After all, a big battle took place here with lots of deaths. Prime haunting grounds if you ask me.

The conclusion is that it might very well be.

First you have the still unanswered death of Robert Harrill, the famed Fort Fisher Hermit. Was it murder? Good haunting here.

Some also believe that the ghost of Confederate General W.H.C. Whiting can be seen wandering the remaining traverses and grounds. He later died of wounds received at the fort's defense. Perhaps still accusing Bragg of lack of action.

There are also those who say they've seen Confederate soldiers standing among the trees to the north of the fort.

The Haunted North Carolina Paranormal Research and Investigations have conducted a four hour investigation and believe the fort is haunted. They took photos and movies at the site.

You can see the photos and movies at http://www.carolinabeachtoday.com October 26th entry.

Strange Things Happen This Time of Year. Like, BOOO!!! --Old B-Runner