The Civil War was a famous civil war in American history, in which twenty-three states of the Union and eleven states of the Union fought fiercely to abolish slavery. In this war, the Battle of Gettysburg is regarded as the deadliest battle and a turning point in the war. According to statistics, more than 50,000 people were killed, injured or captured on both sides. Due to the brutality and scale of the fighting, the remains of the soldiers were buried on a large scale. After the war, many people claimed to have seen ghosts and ghosts on the battlefield, legends that still live on today.
War Memorial
The bloody and tragic situation of the Battle of Gettysburg
According to historical records, the total number of northern and southern armies exceeded 90,000 each, and a large number of reinforcements were added during the battle. Such a large army made the entire battlefield extremely crowded, and both sides had to fight fiercely in a limited space.
The fighting power of this battle is very strong. Both sides sent elite troops to the battle, which have been trained and honed for a long time and have become the top fighting force. They fought fiercely on the battlefield, using a variety of tactics and weapons, making the entire battlefield smell of gunpowder and death.
The casualties in the battle were very serious. More than 50,000 soldiers were killed in the fighting. This figure is staggering because it already exceeds 1% of the total population of the United States at that time. As the battle progressed, the corpses of the soldiers were all over the battlefield, which soon began to decompose and emit an unpleasant stench due to the heat and destruction of the battle. However, neither side had enough manpower to handle the bodies. Some soldiers were buried in makeshift graves, but their graves were often shallow due to the urgency of time and lack of tools and coffins. The bodies of other soldiers were left on the battlefield for wild dogs and crows to handle.
After the Battle of Gettysburg, both sides sent crews to clean up the bodies on the battlefield. The Northern Army sent about 200 sappers who spent weeks digging makeshift graves and reburying soldiers' bodies. The Confederates sent fewer men, and they could only bury a small fraction of the Southern soldiers. Thus, after the Battle of Gettysburg, a large number of corpses of Southern soldiers remained in this area.
Ghost legends and sightings on the battlefield of Gettysburg
After the war, many people claimed to have seen ghosts and ghosts on the battlefield of Gettysburg. It is said that some ghosts in military uniforms can be seen here, roaming the battlefield and some still fighting. Others claimed to have heard the sound of swords interlacing and the running of war horses, but could not see anything.
A tourist accidentally captured a creepy photo while taking photos on this battlefield. In this photo, a soldier in a gray military uniform can be clearly seen standing on the battlefield. The soldier's face was blurry, but he could be seen holding a gun in his hand and seemed to be aiming in a certain direction. What is even more unusual is that the soldier's lower body appears to have been amputated, with only one remaining on the ground, suggesting that he may have been wounded and killed in battle. However, no amputated bodies or other signs were found at the scene.
Many believe that this soldier is a ghost left behind after his death, and he continues to fight on the battlefield forever. The photograph became one of the most widely circulated ghost photographs and an example of the ghost legend of the battlefield of Gettysburg.
A historian named John Gunn visited Gettysburg National Park in the summer of 1977. While he was staying at General Lee's inn in the center of the park, he sensed a strange atmosphere in the room. During his break, he suddenly heard a man's voice saying, "Hello, my name is Jack. Gunn turned his head but didn't see anyone. He turned around and heard the same sound again, but this time from behind the door. He opened the door and found it empty outside.
A few days later, Gunn and his friends visited the Civil War-era cell, which housed a large number of Southern prisoners of war. At this place, they meet a volunteer, a young girl, who tells them that many visitors here report that they have seen a ghost named Jack. According to legend, the ghost was a Southern prisoner of war held in a cell during the war who tried to escape through the window but unfortunately died. Over the next few days, Gunn and his friends often heard Jack's voice heard in the hotel and elsewhere in the park, and they believed they had encountered the ghost.
A tourist named Matthew Franklin witnessed a mysterious event while visiting the Gettysburg Battlefield. He noticed a young soldier in a Southern uniform standing in front of a tombstone next to Gettysburg National Cemetery, holding a yellow wildflower, seemingly silently mourning or praying. Franklin found the young soldier's move strange because the name on the tombstone was the name of a Union soldier, not a Southern soldier.
Later, Franklin noticed that the young soldier was dressed somewhat differently from the other Southern soldiers. His clothes looked neater and even somewhat new, without the long wearing and combat wear and tear of other Southern soldiers. In addition, the young soldier had a somewhat pale face and did not look as healthy as other southern soldiers.
When Franklin approached the young soldier, he tried to communicate with him, but the young soldier did not respond. When Franklin turned his head, and when he looked back, the young soldier had disappeared. Franklin later asked staff at Gettysburg National Cemetery, but they told him that the name on the headstone was indeed the name of a Union soldier, not a Southern soldier.
There are different interpretations about the identity of these ghosts. Some believe that these ghosts are the spirits of soldiers killed in battle, and they cannot leave the battlefield and stay there. Still others believe that these ghosts were the reason why soldiers who died in battle could not rest or because they failed to receive a proper burial when they died.
The current situation of the town of Gettysburg
Gettysburg has a nationwide reputation and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world each year, and many consider it one of the most iconic battle grounds in American history. It is a historically and culturally important site that attracts thousands of tourists and researchers to visit and explore. The town is also a very friendly community with hospitable locals willing to help and guide visitors.
In modern times, Gettysburg has become a treasure trove of monuments and museums. Visitors can visit historical sites, explore museums, participate in various activities, and feel the unique atmosphere and cultural charm of this town. The National Cemetery is a very popular attraction that attracts many tourists. In addition, Gettysburg has a tourist center that offers a variety of tourist services and recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking and adventure activities.
The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most iconic battles in American history, and its bloody and tragic scenes, as well as legendary ghosts and ghost events, attract countless tourists to explore and understand. Would you like to visit the small town of Gettysburg in person? Have you ever felt the weight of history while traveling? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!