Gettysburg’s Most Chilling Ghost Sightings

Posted: 10.09.2025 | Updated: 10.12.2025

The three-day Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War and is considered its bloodiest battle. This historic event has cast a looming dark shadow over the City of Gettysburg for more than a century, thanks to the devastating number of deaths that occurred.

Many believe this epic battle left a scar on the town, and now there are countless spirits of forgotten soldiers still tethered to their place of death, each one failing to cross over so that they may finally rest in peace. As a result, there have been many ghost tales passed down from one generation to the next in Gettysburg, and some of the most frequently seen ghosts have become well-known urban legends.

Do you want to learn more about the haunted history of Gettysburg? Are you ready to visit some of the creepiest places in this Pennsylvania town? Then get in touch with our team here at Civil War Ghosts to book a ghost tour with us. Prepare to travel back in time as we explore the mysterious legends of Gettysburg, as well as some truly horrific stories that are stranger than fiction.

What are Some of Gettysburg’s Scariest Ghosts?

• The location of the historic Battle of Gettysburg is filled with areas known for paranormal activity, including the Devil’s Den and Little Round Top.
• At the location known as Little Round Top, there is a ghost named Gideon, who was a drummer boy for the Union Army who died in battle.
• Inside one of the oldest hotels in Gettysburg, you will find the ghost of a Civil War nurse named Rachel, who continues to practice her bedside manner in the afterlife.

The Ghosts that Haunt Gettysburg

For those who are brave enough to dive into the supernatural side of Gettysburg, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of places to explore where ghosts are frequently spotted.

Whether you are hoping to see the spirits of fallen soldiers on the battlefield or interact with ghosts in some of Gettysburg’s oldest buildings, the possibility of you having a real ghost encounter is promising in Pennsylvania, as long as you know where to look.

Here are some more details on the ghosts who are regularly seen throughout Gettysburg.

The Ghost of Gideon

One of the most historic and most haunted locations in Gettysburg is a place known as Little Round Top. This is perhaps where the most gruesome destruction occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg. So much death occurred there that the locals have been known to refer to the area as the Slaughter Pen.

On this hill, the Union Soldiers held their ground as the Confederates were lined up in the field adjacent to them. An unfathomable amount of blood was shed as both sides attempted to take control of Little Round Top.

The location is known to attract curious ghost enthusiasts who have heard about the hill’s reputation for being haunted. If you walk to the top of the hill, you will notice the beautiful view of the open space below, which was also an excellent vantage point for sharpshooters.

The drummer boy for the Union army was a young man named Gideon. According to the legend, he was killed in battle; however, his spirit has remained at the site ever since as he remains loyal to his mission.

Visitors to Little Round Top have reported hearing the sound of a drum beating in the exact spot where Gideon died. Others have claimed to have seen the apparition of a young boy playing a battle drum wandering over the hill.

The Ghosts of Devil’s Den

Located just 500 yards west of Little Round Top is a rock formation known as The Devil’s Den. This large collection of boulders on the southernmost side of Houck’s Ridge was used extensively as a firing position by sharpshooters on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s an important stop on any battlefield tour for history buffs and also a great place for ghost hunters to visit.

The Devil’s Den has long been a place associated with a certain eeriness, inhabited by spirits that predate the Battle of Gettysburg. The location gets its name from the large boulders and macabre atmosphere that’s so grim that locals believe it is a dwelling place for the devil himself. According to the lore, the Devil will appear in the form of a snake, terrifying visitors with his foreboding presence.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, more than 5,500 Confederate troops were attacked at this location. But even with such a high death toll, this was a turning point for the Confederates during the battle as the 1st Texas regiment sieged under the command of Major General John Bell Hood.

The Battle at Devil’s Den is considered a Confederate victory; however, the South ultimately lost the larger battle the following day after meeting their fate at the infamous assault known as Pickett’s Charge.

With this being the site of so many casualties, the Devil’s Den is well known in Gettysburg for being haunted by several entities.

The Ghost of the Texas Soldier

Visitors have reported seeing the apparition of a disheveled man dressed in ragged clothing and a floppy hat with bare feet and shoulder-length hair. Historians say this is a clear description of what Confederate soldiers from Texas looked like during the battle.

The man has been known to approach visitors of the site, startling many of them, though it seems that he doesn’t mean any harm. Still, his presence and appearance have been said to be unsettling for most of those who have encountered him. Along with seeing apparitions, visitors have also reported noticing sudden drops in temperature in certain areas.

Others who have visited the site have complained about their phones or cameras suddenly failing to work, only to start functioning as normal once again as soon as they leave. As most ghost hunters know, it’s very common for electronics and technical equipment to glitch whenever you are in the presence of supernatural forces. So be prepared to be disconnected when you visit the Devil’s Den because once you’re there, you may not be able to call for help if needed.

The Phantom Regiment

The Phantom Regiment is said to be the ghostly remnants of a Confederate unit that continues to haunt the location of the Battle of Gettysburg today. Those who have visited the site claim to have seen this formation of translucent soldiers, sternly marching as they continue to obey their general’s commands.

Some have claimed to hear loud explosions in the distance, the tormented cries of wounded soldiers in the air, and the sound of phantom footsteps following behind them.

If you stick around the area after sunset, you will hear the faint sound of drums, cannon fire, and musket fire from miles away. Some have also reported seeing the regiment of fallen soldiers dressed in Civil War uniforms marching through the battlefield at night, while others have even mentioned seeing the soldiers marching through town late at night as well.

The Ghost of Nurse Rachel

If you would rather encounter ghosts indoors, there are a few historic hotels in Gettysburg where you can experience a haunting away from the battlefield.

The Gettysburg Hotel, which was built in 1797, has a long history of visitors and staff members reporting encounters with ghosts. And one of the most popular ghosts at this location is known as Nurse Rachel.

Rachel was a nurse during the Civil War era who spent her days devotedly tending to the wounded soldiers. She is often seen inside room 311, which was once her guest room. Visitors have reported drawers being opened and rummaged through, as well as their clothes being removed from them. Others have reported seeing her dancing in the hotel’s ballroom.

Other unexplained occurrences mentioned by guests include the unsettling feeling of being watched while alone in their rooms. But there are some guests who have claimed to have interacted with Rachel’s ghost, saying they feel a comforting presence whenever she is around.

The origins of Rachel’s story and how she died remain a mystery. However, it seems she was so dedicated to her calling as a nurse that she feels she still has unfinished business here, helping guests who are upset or in distress by comforting them in their time of need.

Haunted Gettysburg

Haunted lore centered on the spirits of Civil War soldiers who were shot down during the Battle of Gettysburg has drawn paranormal enthusiasts to the city for many years.

Spirits are known to be drawn to places where tragic deaths occurred, and there are few places in the U.S. that are linked to such a tragic end as the site of the historic Battle of Gettysburg. It’s safe to say that this town is haunted by numerous spirits who have no desire to leave.

If you would like to learn more about the haunted history of Gettysburg, be sure to check out our blog or book a ghost tour with us here at Civil War Ghosts. Our knowledgeable crew will take you along on a journey through the past as you visit some of the most iconic battlegrounds of the war.

And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for plenty of videos and content about the most haunted locations all throughout the U.S.

Sources:

• https://maps.roadtrippers.com/trips/12577156
• https://www.instagram.com/p/DKwt63HTRzS
• https://www.gothichorrorstories.com/true-ghost-stories/haunted-gettysburg-true-ghost-stories-from-little-round-top
• https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-civil-war/devils-den.htm
• https://pastlanetravels.com/gettysburg-haunted-hotels
• https://believingthebizarre.com/haunted-gettysburg-battlefields
• https://www.history.com/articles/gettysburg-battlefield-ghosts
• https://kozmophotos.com/2024/08/12/phantom-figures-at-gettysburg-and-the-national-cemetery
• https://seandietrich.com/the-ghosts-of-gettysburg