A historic hotel set in one of America’s oldest cities is the site where thousands of people lost their lives in battle. Many locals believe the hotel is haunted by the souls of those who were never able to move on. Or could something else be lurking in the shadows?
Is the Fort Magruder Hotel Haunted?
Not only is the Fort Magruder Hotel located at the site of one of the deadliest battles of the Civil War, but it is also rumored to be situated on a sacred Native American burial ground. And that’s a combination that’s too morbid for any disturbed spirit to resist.
Are you ready to learn more about the haunted history of Virginia? Schedule your next ghost tour with us here at Williamsburg Ghost Tour for a spooky good time in one of the south’s most historic areas.
The History of Williamsburg and Fort Magruder
Visiting Williamsburg, VA, is like taking a step back in time. Founded in 1607, it was one of the first colonies in America and is considered the birthplace of the American Revolution. Several key events from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War occurred here, including the Battle of Williamsburg, also known as the Battle of Magruder.
The Battle of Magruder
The Battle of Magruder took place on May 5th, 1862, between the Union soldiers commanded by Major General George B. McClellan and the Confederate forces, who were commanded by Major General James Longstreet.
General McClellan took 120,000 men with him to Williamsburg in hopes of capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond. By doing so, he believed it would put an end to the war. But Brig. General John B. Magruder and his much smaller army of 11,000 men used their knowledge and deceptive tactics to delay the Union army from their mission for nearly 30 days.
This delay allowed the Confederate army more time to rally additional troops to the area. The battle raged on, and in the end, 2,283 Union soldiers and 1,682 Confederate soldiers lost their lives on the battlefield. The Confederates later abandoned Fort Magruder and continued their withdrawal toward Richmond.
The Aftermath of the Battle
The Battle of Williamsburg is very important to U.S. history because it pitted General McClellan against General Johnston, and both sides claimed an uneasy victory. It is now viewed by historians as the turning point in the Peninsula Campaign.
The battle is also considered to be one of the bloodiest in U.S. history. During the battle, many residential homes in Williamsburg were used as a space for the wounded as they were treated and a place to store the multitude of dead bodies.
Mass graves were dug in several places, and the butcher shops in town became makeshift hospitals. There were piles of arms and legs lying right outside the door. At the time, limbs were often needlessly removed for fear of infection or death. One Union doctor was given the name of “Yankee Butcher” for removing arms and legs that could have been saved.
In 1962, the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a small monument for those who died at the Battle of Magruder for its centennial anniversary. A local hospital also donated 22 acres to be used as a public park. Today, just north of the monument, is the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center.
The Fort Magruder Hotel
The Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center is located in Williamsburg, just a short distance from the popular Busch Gardens theme park, the College of William and Mary, as well as historic sites such as the old Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Battlefield.
This hotel is one of two located in the part of Williamsburg that is known as “The Bloody Ravine.” Staff members and guests who have stayed at the hotel have experienced some serious haunting activity over the years.
The ghost tales and legends are so well-known in the area that the hotel hosts an annual ghost hunt each January. Some say the ghosts are the spirits of dead Civil War soldiers. Others believe they are the spirits of deceased Powhatan tribe members. That is because the ground where Williamsburg was founded was once a sacred burial ground for the native tribe.
Both theories could be true. The ancestors of the Powhatan tribe may be seeking revenge against those who interrupted their peaceful slumber. At the same time, the soldiers from one of the bloodiest battles in history could be lingering around the place of their deaths, trying to find their way home.
The Ghosts of Fort Magruder Hotel
There have been multiple reports of strange and unusual activity inside the Fort Magruder Hotel. People have seen dark, shadowy figures roaming the halls, and some have woken up at night to see a red-headed Confederate soldier standing at the foot of their bed.
There have also been reports of the spirit of a woman dressed in 1860s attire, possibly looking for her beloved that she lost in the war.
Dark figures hovering in the hotel’s windows can be seen from outside. The doors will lock and unlock on their own, and guests have reported smelling the faint scent of sweet tobacco smoke.
The Haunted Rooms
Two rooms that see the most activity at the hotel are room 220 and room 442. In Room 220, guests reported hearing strange footsteps outside in the hallway, only to open the door and see that it was empty.
They have also reported seeing unusual figures moving among the trees in the courtyard behind the hotel. Some have even heard the sound of a drumbeat in the distance. According to the legend, the hotel’s backyard area is where the bodies of the dead soldiers would be thrown.
A woman who stayed in room 442 with her son reported they felt a drop in the room’s temperature in specific areas. They noticed the lights flickering and had a feeling that someone was watching them. While they were sitting on the balcony at night, they saw a figure of someone in the backyard. When they looked again, no one was there.
That same night, the lady felt an overall sense of unease while lying in bed. She woke up her son and went downstairs to request a room change. When the hotel staff went upstairs with her to investigate the issue, they looked at the bed and saw the imprint of a hand forming, as if an invisible entity was pressing against the mattress.
Some guests have also mentioned there are historic artifacts in the hotel’s lobby. They believe the spirits of the soldiers may be attached to the objects, preventing them from leaving.
Haunted Williamsburg
It is not surprising with Virginia’s historical background that there are so many ghost stories collected and shared by locals. There is so much haunted history in and around Williamsburg that it’s difficult to stay in town long and not witness something peculiar.
If you are hoping to experience a ghostly encounter, you’ll likely get your wish while you are visiting this southeastern Virginia city.
Check out our blog for more information on all the haunted locations in the Williamsburg area. If you are interested in more thrills and excitement, book a ghost tour with us at Williamsburg Ghost Tour today!
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Sources:
- https://www.fortmagruderhotel.com
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