The bloodiest day in the Civil War took place outside of a quiet town in the idyllic Marylandic landscape of Sharpsburg, Maryland.  During one fateful day in September 1862 the North and the South brilliantly fought against one another, the South vowing to win the war.  Led by General Robert E. Lee, the South shed the North's blood, the North reciprocating.  This became the bloodiest day in U.S. history, called the Battle of Antietam.  Today the ghosts of this bloody day still linger on as haunted, bitter apparitions seeking revenge.

The History Behind Antietam
The Antietam Battlefield, located outside of Sharpsburg, Maryland, is the site of the bloodiest day in U.S. history.  Over 23,000 soldiers died on this day in September 1862, and ultimately this battle ended in a draw.

On September 17, 1862, General Joseph Hooker fought against the Confederate army, led by General Robert E. Lee.  Robert E. Lee wanted to conquer the North in one fell swoop, but ultimately resulted in a statewide massacre.  They fought against each other for the entire day, each winning and losing ground in Maryland.  Later in the day, union soldiers fought against confederate soldiers alongside a shallow road separating the North from the South, now aptly called Bloody Lane.  The battle ended here, Robert E. Lee leaving his troops to die as they retreated away from Maryland.  The wounded either died alongside the infamous Bloody Lane or died in makeshift hospitals, with only a small number of townspeople able to help the sick.  To this day, Antietam -- Bloody Lane in particular -- is haunted with these departed souls, still waiting for Robert E. Lee to save them.

The History of Bloody Lane
Bloody Lane, a shallow road positioned between two small farms, was the site of the biggest massacre during the battle of Antietam.  Confederate soldiers hunkered in this spot to shoot approaching Union soldiers.  Later in the day, Union soldiers approached a ridge looking downward at Bloody Lane, shooting them off one by one.  Legend says that there was pits of dead, decaying soliders, some pits reaching up to five feet of dead soldiers.  One group, called the Irish Brigade, was mainly responsible for clearing out the confederate soldiers, while sacrificing their own.  Now over 140 years later, the dead of Antietam's Bloody Lane haunts the area.

The Angered Apparitions of Bloody Lane
There are a number of strange apparitions that still haunt Bloody Lane the houses that surround it:

- Some people report hearing strange sounds on Bloody Lane.  One person reported hearing "Fa La La La" before it faded away.  The Irish Brigade shouted "Fal La Bah La" before they attacked confederate soldiers on Bloody Lane.  Coincidence?

- People also report hearing and smelling gunfire, although no physical source has been found.

- The Pry House, a farmhouse located in this area, was the final resting place of General Israel B. Richardson.  He died here from wounds received in battle.  A woman dressed in period clothing, presumably General Richardson's wife, is often seen here.  She often walks the steps of this house, usually staying in the second floor room, where her husband died.  A group of contractors saw her ghostly figure in the window of the second story at one time, although the second story room had no floor.

- The Piper House, located around the battlefield as well, is the site of other apparitions as well.  Although the current owners deny any paranormal activity, other guests have consistently reported hearing strange voices in the house, along with seeing faint ghosts in the hallways. 

A Warning
Antietam is indeed haunted, and these ghosts aren't afraid to approach newcomers to this area.  These ghosts are dangerous -- and out to get revenge -- so be wary if you visit.  You may become another victim of these Antietam ghosts.  If you do visit, be respectful of the ghosts you do encounter.  They will surely reciprocate.