Captain John Smith founded Old Point Comfort, later called Fort Algernourne, to protect Jamestown. From this lookout point, the colonists, wary of the Spanish attacking them, could see what ships were coming up the James River. Its name was changed several times until it was named for President James Monroe.
Fort Monroe History
The fort, one of two, surrounded by a moat, played an important part in history. During the War of 1812, it was found to be inadequate to protect the port cities, but this was remedied. It played a pivotal role on the Civil War. It had been reorganized and reinforced and, with the Navy’s cooperation, its control of the coast extended to South Carolina. Many prominent American’s visited or stayed at the fort. Some were stationed there; others, held prisoner. Today, it is the home of the Training and Doctrine Command, combining these with developing and procuring new arms.
Famous Ghosts of the Fort Monroe
- The ghosts of Abraham Lincoln, who was once billeted at Fort Monroe, and Ulysses S. Grant have been sighted. They appear to be poring over papers about the Civil War’s major victories and defeats. Edgar Allen Poe wrote a famous story when he was a soldier stationed at Fort Monroe. His wraith has been seen sitting at a desk, writing.
- Sauk Chief Black Hawk was held captive at the fort. He felt the white man had cheated his people with a treaty and joined the British during the War of 1812. He also terrorized settlers until this was brought to an end. Many people have heard his spirit’s woeful cries.
- Confederate President Jefferson Davis was incarcerated at the fort after the Civil War because it was alleged he was took part in Lincoln’s assassination conspiracy. He was bound in chains and badly mistreated until he was finally freed. Davis’ is the most frequently seen ghost in different places in the fort. People have heard the rattling of chains.
Fort Monroe's Ghost Alley
This is an area behind Fort Monroe’s walls where three ghosts are known to inhabit.
- A ghostly woman dressed in white haunts the officers’ quarters. According to legend, unsubstantiated by records, she was an Army Captain’s wife. While he was away, she befriended another officer. This led to an affair. Her husband arrived home unexpectedly and found them in bed. He chased the man out of his home, then killed his wife.
- Another ghost that haunts officers’ quarter is one who makes itself known by strewing petals on the floor if any roses are brought into the home. Other than the haunter’s apparent dislike of roses, nothing else is known.
- The wraith of a child haunts the basement of an enlisted person’s home. People can hear its laughter and toys. Past residents guess the child’s age is about five, but no one knows who it is or what happened to him or her.
- Fort Monroe has a long and interesting history and it is also home to ghosts, both famous people in life and those whose identity is not known. The ones who were prominent in history haunt the fort, itself. The unknown ones haunt Ghost Alley.
- In the case of the legend of the Army Captain’s wife, there should be records of the murder, if not the Army’s, in the newspapers. Most likely, there should have been a court martial. It is possible that this incident was kept secret, but, one would think there would have been an obituary.
Related Articles about Haunted History
Readers may also enjoy reading Abraham Lincoln and the Paranormal, Alcatraz: Ghosts & Haunted History and Haunting Abraham Lincoln
Source:
Haunted Houses, Winer, Richard and Nancy Osborn, (Bantam Books, 1979)
