Civil War Hauntings Of Williamsburg Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia is full of history. Colonial Williamsburg reigns in the historic district, which brings together America's colonial past in the world's largest "living museum". However, what is missing from this bastion of Colonial History is recognition of Williamsburg's devastating and bloody Civil War past. In May 4-5 of 1862, nearly 4,000 soldiers were killed in the Battle of Williamsburg, with thousands more wounded. The "living museum" city was transformed into a small tranquil southern town into a living hospital and graveyard. Dead and wounded men littered the streets.
At least 30 hospitals were set up in both public and private homes. Williamsburg remained on the front lines for the duration of the Civil War, as confederate raids claimed the lives of many in subsequent years following the Battle of Williamsburg. Many believe that the results of the battle and its many dead have manifested themselves into the common reports of hauntings throughout the historic city.
They include:
1) Wren Building
The Wren Building at the College of William and Mary was used as a hospital during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. During the Civil War, it was used as a barracks for the Confederates, and later used as a hospital. After changing hands to the Union army, it was briefly used as a hospital until its destruction. The Wren Building is said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died in the building while being treated for their injuries. Screams and sounds are heard from inside.
2) Palmer House (Vest House)
A young 19-year old Lieutenant WW Dissoway was placed in command as acting Provost Marshall of the City of Williamsburg towards the end of the Civil War. The Office of the Provost Marshall was located in the Palmer House. A union soldier William Boyle was caught by Dissoway for being drunk at his post. The next day Boyle tried to exact revenge on Dissoway, but was apprehended while making his way past the town guard.
The Corporal of the Guard brought Boyle, who was once again drunk, to the Provost Office in the Palmer House, but had forgotten to take away his pistol. As Palmer ordered the drunk soldier to return to his camp, Boyle drew his pistol and pointed it at Dissoway. The guards tried to wrestle the weapon away from Boyle and failed, and before they shot him Dissoway ordered that they not fire on the drunk man. Instead, Dissoway tried to disarm the man himself, but was shot by Boyle in the process and was killed instantly. The bullet entered Dissoway's mouth and killed him instantly.
Dissoway is still spotted in the house, sitting in the parlor and walking through the house. His ghost was first seen by a Mrs. Tucker, who wrote of her experiences seeing the man in 1896.
3) Coke-Garrett House
Dr. Garrett, local surgeon, opened his house to wounded soldier from both sides. He turned his home into a hospital. He personally attended to the soldiers and performed amputations for two days straight. The blood in the house was so thick that volunteers would slip and fall to the floor. Dead were wrapped in white sheets out front. The home is most known for the sighting of a confederate soldier who is seen lying on the front yard in pain.
The soldier was helping his wounded friend to Dr. Garrett's house during battle, but was struck in the back just before arriving at the house. While his friend survived, he died on the front yard. His ghost has been seen lying on the ground by locals and tourists walking by the home on Nicholson Street.
4) Market House
Today it is the Market House, a reconstructed colonial era building. During the Civil War, this lot was occupied by the Williamsburg Baptist Church, a large greek revival style built church. The church was used as a hospital during the war, and the head surgeon was nicknamed the head devil by its survivors for butchering the men under his care. It's said he amputated limbs that didn't need to be amputated, and killed men who could have survived. The survival rate was around 25%, an amount well below other hospitals during the war. It's said the sadistic doctor, a volunteer, butchered the men for pleasure. The ghosts of the wounded soldiers he butchered are seen wandering the grounds looking for their lost limbs.
5) Kimball Theater
The place where Kimball Theater stands today was a home belonging to a Mrs. Ware. She opened her home to wounded soldiers, and it became a hospital following the Battle of Williamsburg. A union soldier surveying the home following the battle came across a dead confederate soldier covered in a blanket. When he moved the blanket down from the man's face, he was horrified to see the face of his brother. The surviving brother was killed later in the Civil War. The Kimball Theater is used by Williamsburg Ghost Tour Colonial Ghosts as the starting point for their ghost tour.
To this day, the apparitions of both soldiers are seen inside the theater where the Ware house used to be. It is said that the two brothers occupy the Theater to reunite in death. A soldier is seen walking through walls, apparitions are seen to walk through and vanish, doors open and close on their own, and water faucets turn on on their own.
6) Secretary's Office
Several confederate soldiers were killed during the Battle while holed up inside this public records building. If you look closely, you can still spot some bullet holes from the firefight. Gunshots are heard and apparitions of confederate soldiers are still spotted surrounding the building.
7) Fort Magruder Hotel
Fort Magruder was the center of the Confederate Defense against the Union Army's assault at the outset of the Battle of Williamsburg during May 4-5 1862. Most of the casualties suffered at the battle occurred during the fight for this strategic fort, which was the centerpiece of the defensive line. You can read more about the hauntings that occur in the hotel here.
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