Chickamauga Battlefield



The Battle of Chickamauga was the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War; only Gettysburg was bloodier. The Union had captured Chattanooga in 1863, and was now setting its sights on Atlanta. On September 18, 1863, the two forces met at a small area known as Chickamauga. General William Rosecrans was the commander of the Union Army, and Gen. Braxton Bragg, who is considered by some historians to have been incompetent, led the Confederate forces, along with Gen. James Longstreet. The two forces battled for several days, but in the end, the Confederate forces were able to force the Yankees back. Ultimately, this battle would have little effect on the outcome of the war, but it did give the Confederates a much needed boost in morale.

Virtually every battlefield is said to be haunted, but Chickamauga seems to be even more haunted than most. There are so many ghosts wandering the grounds, that it would be impossible to catalogue them all. Some are the typical ghosts of soldiers, and some may not even be ghosts at all.

The most notable of the latter category is also the most famous ghost to haunt the battlefield. The term 'ghost' is used loosely, because this entity may not be a ghost at all. It is known as "Old Green Eyes." Many people have claimed to have seen it, usually (but not always) on Snodgrass Hill. Most describe it as being a large creature with fanglike teeth, a hairy body, and burning, green eyes. This creature is said to walk on it two legs, and perhaps wear a cloak. Over the years, thousands have claimed to have seen him. The first sighting may have been at the battle itself, or even earlier.

There are several stories which account for Old Green Eye's origin. Native American legend told of such a creature which roamed the area long ago. Perhaps an ancestor of Old Green Eyes? Legend has it that some soldiers actually saw the creature roaming the area just after the battle. Some have claimed that Green Eyes is actually the ghost of a soldier whose head was blown off by a cannon, and his body destroyed. According to this legend, the soldier's head drifts about the battlefield, searching for his body. Regardless of Old Green Eye's origin, he remains a frightening creature, if he does exist.

Aside from Old Green Eyes, there is more weirdness on the grounds. Gunshots are sometimes heard in the distance, and marching is heard. There is also a soldier who is supposed to walk the roads at night. If he sees you, he is said to stare at you until you leave. Another legend tells of a bride-to-be, whose fiancee was killed in the battle. According to this tale, she still walks the area searching for him in a wedding dress.

Battlefields are almost always haunted. If ghosts do exist, the scenes of battles would be the most logical place for them to reside, due to the enormous number of deaths and emotions that accompany battles. If you ever visit Chickamauga, keep an eye out for Old Green Eyes. You don't want to wander too close to him!




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