The Chesapeake Bay holds more than just calm waters and scenic views. It once hosted fierce Civil War battles, prison camps, and tragic shipwrecks.
Many people believe the spirits of soldiers, sailors, and civilians still linger along its shores and waterways. Eerie lighthouses and historic forts each tell stories that mix history with unexplained encounters.
Explorers drawn to the Bay’s haunted past often visit places like Point Lookout State Park. During the war, guards held thousands of Confederate prisoners there.
Visitors report ghostly voices, strange lights, and shadowy figures, making it one of Maryland’s most talked-about paranormal sites. Other locations, such as weathered battlefields and abandoned ships, add to the Bay’s reputation for Civil War-era hauntings.
Historians, paranormal investigators, and television crews search for evidence and share new stories. Investigations reveal details that blend history with chilling personal accounts.
The Civil War Ghosts of Chesapeake Bay
During the American Civil War, armies filled the Chesapeake Bay area with forts, prison camps, and battle sites. Soldiers, prisoners, and civilians lost their lives here.
Today, many of these places have reputations for unexplained sights and sounds linked to the war.
Famous Apparitions and Sightings
Point Lookout in Maryland is one of the most well-known haunted sites. The Union army used it as a prison camp for thousands of Confederate soldiers.
Visitors and staff have heard cold spots, footsteps, and voices when no one is present. People have reported seeing uniformed figures walking the grounds since the 1960s (Point Lookout history).
Fort Monroe in Virginia is another site with Civil War ghost stories. The U.S. military built it to protect the Bay after the War of 1812 and later used it as a Union stronghold.
Visitors have seen soldiers patrolling the walls and shadowy figures in old barracks.
Smaller sites like historic port towns and nearby battlefields also have sightings. People glimpse figures in period clothing or hear faint drums and bugles.
Local Legends and Folklore
Stories in the Chesapeake region mix history with local tradition. In some towns, residents talk about lights on the water, believing they come from long-sunken supply ships.
Others tell tales of soldiers seen marching along old roads at night.
The Middleton Tavern in Annapolis is the setting for stories about ghostly patrons. Staff have seen chairs move on their own and heard boots on wooden floors after closing (Maryland’s Civil War Ghosts).
Folklore surrounds abandoned farmhouses and wharfs where skirmishes happened. While many stories lack documentation, they remain part of the Bay’s identity.
Impact of the Civil War on the Region
The Chesapeake Bay’s location between the Union and Confederate capitals made it strategic. Richmond sat on the James River, while Washington, D.C. was on the Potomac, both connected to the Bay (Civil War blockade of the Chesapeake Bay).
Union forces blockaded waterways to cut off Confederate supply lines. Forts like Fort Monroe and Fort Morgan guarded key points, and prison camps like Point Lookout held thousands of captives.
The war left behind abandoned structures, damaged ports, and unmarked graves. These remnants and the region’s history keep interest in Civil War ghosts alive.
Haunted Fort Morgan: History and Hauntings
Fort Morgan, a 19th-century fort at the mouth of Mobile Bay, has a long history of military action and ghost sightings. Visitors often describe strange sounds, shadowy figures, and unexplained activity linked to its wartime past.
Civil War Battles at Fort Morgan
Workers started building Fort Morgan in 1819 and finished in 1833. The fort’s star shape helped guard Mobile Bay.
During the Civil War, Fort Morgan saw heavy fighting in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Union Admiral David Farragut’s fleet fought past Confederate defenses, forcing the fort to surrender after two weeks of bombardment.
Union forces set a catastrophic fire, and the fort endured intense artillery strikes. Confederate soldiers who survived faced harsh conditions, with little food and medical care.
The fort changed hands several times during the war. Alabama state troops held it first in 1861, then Confederate forces, and finally Union troops.
Reported Paranormal Activity
Visitors and staff claim Fort Morgan is among Alabama’s most haunted sites. Reports include apparitions of soldiers, unexplained footsteps, and sudden drops in temperature.
The old barracks is a notable location. Records show a prisoner hanged himself in 1917, and people have heard muffled voices and boots on stone floors when no one is there.
Some investigators have recorded EVP (electronic voice phenomena) in the tunnels and gun rooms. Others have seen shadowy figures moving along the walls at dusk.
The Mystery of the Haunting Bell Sounds
One of Fort Morgan’s most unusual reports involves phantom bell sounds. Witnesses describe hearing a bell ring faintly across the parade ground or from the water’s edge.
The fort does not have an active bell today, and no clear historical record explains its origin. Some people think it could be a lost ship’s signal or an old alarm system.
Visitors often hear the bell at night or during foggy weather. The sound carries on still air, fading in and out without a clear source.
Whether wind, distant ships, or something unexplained causes it, the bell remains one of Fort Morgan’s most persistent ghost stories.
Paranormal Investigations in the Bay
Investigators in Chesapeake Bay focus on historical research and on-site evidence gathering. They use both traditional ghost hunting methods and modern tools to study unusual sounds, movements, and environmental changes.
Modern Ghost Hunting Techniques
Teams begin by researching the site’s history to understand past events. At places like Fort Morgan, they review military records, personal accounts, and local archives for clues about ghost sightings.
On location, investigators use controlled walkthroughs to observe environmental details. They split into small groups to cover more ground and reduce noise.
Common practices include:
- EVP sessions to capture unexplained voices
- Trigger objects placed in rooms to encourage interaction
- Baseline readings to record normal temperature and EMF levels before activity begins
These methods help separate paranormal evidence from natural causes like wind, wildlife, or building creaks.
Use of Technology in Spirit Searches
Modern ghost hunters rely on portable and stationary equipment. At Fort Morgan, investigators used digital recorders, thermal imaging cameras, and EMF meters to detect unusual changes.
Thermal cameras show cold or warm spots that do not match surrounding conditions. EMF meters measure changes in electromagnetic fields, which some believe signal paranormal presence.
Other tools include:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Night vision cameras | Record in low light without visible light |
| Motion sensors | Detect movement in empty spaces |
| Spirit boxes | Scan radio frequencies for possible spirit responses |
These devices help teams gather many forms of evidence at once.
Role of Kindred Spirits in the Investigation
The episode Civil War Ghosts in the Bay featured Kindred Spirits hosts Amy Bruni and Adam Berry. They brought years of experience investigating historic and haunted sites.
Bruni and Berry worked with the Expedition X team to explore land and water near Fort Morgan. They designed EVP experiments and led nighttime sweeps inside the fort.
Their approach blends empathy with careful data collection. They focus on respectful communication with possible spirits and rely on recorded evidence for findings.
Amy Bruni and Adam Berry: Leading the Search
Amy Bruni and Adam Berry bring years of field experience and teamwork to paranormal investigations. They combine careful research with on-site exploration to document unexplained activity in historic locations.
Background of Amy Bruni
Amy Bruni is best known as a co-host of Kindred Spirits and a former investigator on Ghost Hunters. She began exploring paranormal phenomena in her teens, often visiting haunted sites with her father.
Her television career began in 2007 when she joined Ghost Hunters on Syfy. She worked on over 100 episodes, focusing on historical research and direct investigation.
In 2016, she co-created Kindred Spirits with Adam Berry. The show helps families and property owners understand and address unusual activity.
Bruni’s approach blends historical context with modern investigative tools. She often uses EVP recorders, thermal imaging, and environmental sensors to gather evidence.
She has also appeared in episodes of Expedition X, including the Fort Morgan investigation on Discovery.
Adam Berry’s Paranormal Experience
Adam Berry entered the public eye after winning Ghost Hunters Academy in 2010. He then joined the Ghost Hunters team, working alongside Amy Bruni.
Berry co-founded Kindred Spirits with Bruni, focusing on respectful and thorough investigations. He emphasizes personal interviews, environmental readings, and historical accuracy.
He often acts as the bridge between eyewitness accounts and technical evidence. Berry believes understanding the human side of each case is as important as collecting data.
In Civil War Ghosts in the Bay, Berry joined Bruni, Jess, and Phil to investigate Fort Morgan’s hauntings. The team responded to reports of unexplained bell sounds and searched the waters off Alabama’s coast, as featured on Expedition X.
Expedition X: Civil War Ghosts in the Bay
The team investigates Fort Morgan, a 19th-century military stronghold tied to the Civil War. They explore claims of paranormal activity, including strange sounds and unexplained voices, while working along the Alabama coast under challenging weather conditions.
Episode Overview
In this TV-PG episode of Expedition X, Josh Gates sends Phil Torres and Jessica Chobot to Fort Morgan, Alabama.
The location played a key role in the Battle of Mobile Bay and has a long history of military use.
They team up with paranormal investigators Amy Bruni and Adam Berry to explore reports of Civil War ghosts.
Witnesses have described bell sounds, shadowy figures, and disembodied voices in and around the fort.
The team investigates both the land and nearby waters.
Storm threats on the Gulf Coast make their search more urgent.
They use boats and diving gear to check areas beyond the fort’s walls.
Some unexplained sounds were reported in these spots.
Viewers can learn more about the episode on the Expedition X Civil War Ghosts in the Bay page.
Key Findings and Evidence
The team experiences several unusual events during filming.
Audio devices record faint voices that seem to answer their questions.
Some of these sounds match historical accounts from soldiers stationed at Fort Morgan.
Thermal cameras catch unexplained heat signatures in empty rooms.
Motion sensors go off without any visible movement, hinting at possible paranormal activity.
While diving near the fort, Phil and Jess hear the same bell tones described by witnesses.
They do not find a physical source for the sound.
The group shares these findings so viewers can interpret the evidence themselves.
Notable Haunted Locations Around Chesapeake Bay
Several historic sites along the Chesapeake Bay have reputations for unexplained sights and sounds.
These places mix documented history with local stories of paranormal activity, making them popular for history buffs and ghost hunters.
Point Lookout Lighthouse
Point Lookout Lighthouse in Maryland stands where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay.
Built in 1830, it later became a hospital and a Civil War prison camp for Confederate soldiers.
Visitors and staff have reported footsteps, voices, and cold spots inside the building.
Some believe these are connected to the thousands of prisoners once held nearby at Camp Hoffman.
The site’s layered history—from wartime suffering to maritime service—gives it a unique place in local ghost lore.
Today, it is one of Maryland’s most haunted spots and sometimes offers guided paranormal tours.
Key Facts:
| Built | 1830 |
|---|---|
| Roles | Lighthouse, hospital, prison camp |
| Reported Activity | Voices, footsteps, cold spots |
Cellar House on Pocomoke River
The Cellar House sits near the banks of the Pocomoke River in Maryland.
This region is known for dense forests and old ghost stories.
Local tales describe strange noises coming from the cellar at night.
People hear furniture moving when no one is inside.
Some visitors have claimed to see shadowy figures near the windows.
The building’s age and remote location add to its eerie reputation.
While it is less famous than larger landmarks, it draws interest from those exploring Eastern Shore paranormal sites.
Reported Experiences:
- Muffled voices from empty rooms
- Sudden temperature drops
- Moving objects without explanation
Witch Duck Bay
Witch Duck Bay in Virginia is linked to a colonial-era trial where a woman accused of witchcraft was “ducked”—thrown into the water to test her innocence.
The bay is now associated with sightings of a lone female figure walking along the shore at night.
Witnesses describe her in old-fashioned clothing who vanishes when approached.
This haunting comes from a documented historical event, giving weight to the stories.
Some people visit for the history, while others hope to see the paranormal activity said to happen along its banks.
Historical Note:
- Associated with colonial witchcraft trials
- “Ducking” was a common test for accused witches in the 17th century
Haunted Harbor Tales and Maritime Ghost Stories
Chesapeake Bay has a long history of shipwrecks, naval battles, and sudden storms.
These events have inspired stories of unexplained lights, drifting vessels with no crew, and strange sounds at night.
Ghost Ships and Maritime Legends
Sailors have seen phantom vessels gliding silently through the Bay.
These ships often vanish without a trace.
Some accounts describe masts and sails glowing with pale light, even on dark nights.
One legend tells of a Confederate blockade runner that sank during the Civil War.
Locals say its outline still appears in heavy fog, moving as if under full sail before fading away.
Historic naval sites add to these stories.
Near the mouth of the Bay, people have described a ship resembling the CSS Tennessee, a Confederate ironclad.
Its “appearance” connects to stories like the Haunted Flag of the CSS Tennessee, which is displayed in Georgia but remains part of maritime ghost lore.
Many reports share common details:
- No visible crew on board
- Silent movement against wind and tide
- Sudden disappearance when approached
Supernatural Phenomena on the Water
Besides ghost ships, the Bay is known for paranormal activity tied to its maritime history.
Fishermen and boaters have described hearing muffled voices over calm waters, with no other vessels nearby.
Some report sudden drops in temperature, followed by the smell of gunpowder.
This may connect to Civil War skirmishes fought near the shore.
At night, unexplained lights sometimes appear just above the surface.
These “water lanterns” move in patterns like old navigation signals, then vanish when a boat gets close.
In some areas, especially near old lighthouse stations, Coast Guard personnel have shared eerie encounters like those in haunted maritime stories.
Reports include footsteps on empty decks and doors opening without wind or human touch.
Civil War Ghost Stories Beyond the Bay
Many well-known Civil War sites are linked to reports of paranormal activity.
Visitors often describe seeing unexplained figures, hearing strange sounds, or feeling sudden temperature changes in places where heavy fighting once happened.
These accounts often focus on preserved battlefields and historic structures open to the public.
Gettysburg’s Haunted History
Gettysburg is one of the most famous places for Civil War ghost stories.
The three-day battle in July 1863 caused tens of thousands of casualties and left a deep mark on the area.
Tourists and guides have seen uniformed figures on the fields and near landmarks like Devil’s Den, a rocky outcrop tied to intense fighting.
Some claim to hear distant gunfire or drumbeats when no reenactments are happening.
Historic buildings, such as the Jennie Wade House, are also featured on local ghost tours.
This home belonged to the only civilian killed during the battle and is often linked to unexplained noises and shadowy shapes.
Gettysburg’s preserved terrain, detailed records, and frequent visitors make it a focal point for those interested in Civil War ghosts and battlefield hauntings.
Other Civil War Battlefields with Ghostly Reputations
Other battlefields have reputations for paranormal sightings.
Antietam in Maryland, site of the bloodiest single day in American military history, has reports of phantom soldiers and the smell of gunpowder.
Shiloh in Tennessee is known for ghostly drumming and voices near its wooded trails.
The Chickamauga battlefield in Georgia is famous for stories about a mysterious figure called “Old Green Eyes,” described by multiple witnesses.
Some towns tied to these battles, such as Harper’s Ferry, also host ghost tours.
These tours highlight historic homes, bridges, and streets where residents and soldiers once crossed paths.
Many of these sites appear in collections of Civil War ghost stories shared by historians and local guides.
Chesapeake Bay Ghost Tours and Community Events
Visitors can explore historic towns, waterfront parks, and old battle sites where stories of paranormal encounters are part of local culture.
Many events mix history with entertainment, letting people learn while experiencing the area’s haunted past.
Popular Ghost Tours
The Chesapeake Ghost Tours offer year-round walks through Eastern Shore towns, each with its own legends and ghost stories.
Local owners lead these tours and highlight places like colonial courthouses, old inns, and graveyards.
More details are available on the Chesapeake Ghost Tours website.
In Saint Michaels, visitors can join the Saint Michaels’ Scariest Ghost Tours for a 90-minute walk past historic homes and waterfront areas.
Guides share accounts of sightings and unexplained events tied to the town’s maritime past.
Some tours focus on specific sites, such as Point Lookout State Park, known for its Civil War prison camp history.
Reports of strange voices and shadowy figures make it one of the most talked-about paranormal locations in Maryland.
Common features of these tours include:
- Small group sizes for easier interaction
- Evening or night schedules for atmosphere
- Stories based on documented history and local accounts
Seasonal Events and Gatherings
In the fall, waterfront towns host themed events that mix historic storytelling with seasonal activities.
Some communities hold candlelit walks through old streets, often led by costumed guides.
Festivals may feature live music, food vendors, and booths where local historians share research on regional hauntings.
The BOO!s of the Bay list highlights locations where seasonal ghost events often take place.
Smaller gatherings sometimes include paranormal investigation nights.
Participants use basic ghost-hunting tools under supervision.
These events usually happen in buildings with a well-documented history of unusual activity.
Holiday weekends often bring special tours or longer schedules, giving visitors more chances to join in.
Some events also raise funds for historic preservation, connecting community support with local heritage tourism.
The Enduring Fascination with Civil War Spirits
Many people visit Chesapeake Bay sites where battles once raged.
They are drawn by both the Civil War’s history and the chance to experience reported paranormal events.
Why Ghost Stories Persist
Civil War ghosts often appear in local legends because the war left deep emotional and cultural scars.
Families lost loved ones, and many soldiers died far from home.
These tragedies created stories that communities passed down for generations.
At places like Fort Monroe, visitors claim to see figures in period uniforms or hear footsteps along the ramparts.
Such accounts keep interest alive, even among those who do not believe in the paranormal.
Ghost stories also help people remember the past.
They blend history with personal experiences, making events feel more immediate.
This mix of fact and folklore can make Civil War history more engaging for modern audiences.
In some cases, eyewitness reports appear in small-town newspapers, tours, or local history talks.
Once a story is told in public, it often becomes part of the area’s cultural identity.
The Role of Media and Pop Culture
Television shows, podcasts, and books spread stories of Civil War ghosts far beyond the Chesapeake Bay. Programs like Expedition X investigate hauntings and share them with national audiences.
These portrayals often combine historical facts with on-site investigations. Viewers learn about battles and hear from people who say they have seen paranormal activity.
Pop culture shapes how people imagine ghosts. Costumes, lighting, and sound effects influence what people expect from a haunting.
Tour companies use this media exposure to offer themed trips to haunted harbors and battlefields. Entertainment and tourism work together to keep these stories alive.
