Ghost Soldiers of Old Fort Niagara

 Photo © 2014 Marica Sutic

With more than 300 years of history, Old Fort Niagara is believed by many to be haunted with the ghosts of soldiers from its past.  With a history soaked in violence, death and misery, it is no wonder there are so many claims of paranormal activity at this location.  Once occupied by three nations - France, Great Britain and the United States, today Fort Niagara sits along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario perfectly preserved as it appeared in the 1700's.  

Recently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Old Fort Niagara, and attend the Para-History Festival taking place on site. A number of paranormal investigators were in attendance, along side members of the TAPS family and former Haunted Collector, Brian Cano. After saying hello to a few friends, I excitedly headed out to explore the grounds and take a step back in time.

A short distance from the building where the festival was being held, is a small  fenced in cemetery with numerous headstones, many of which are unreadable. Two monuments to honor the fallen soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 are also in the cemetery. Beyond the cemetery, near the gated entrance to the fort, stands a historic, inactive lighthouse that served a great importance during its operational years.

Photo © 2014 Marica Sutic

Filled with excitement, like a kid in a candy store, I made my way over to the fort. My eyes were immediately drawn to the magnificent sight of the French Castle. It is within these impressive stone walls, where sightings and stories of paranormal activity are a plenty. As I stepped inside my eyes were drawn to a stone well. A longtime local legend tells a story of a decapitated French soldiers' body being thrown down the well and his head tossed in the nearby lake. According to this legend, a bitter feud erupted between two French soldiers over their love for the same woman, ending in the horrific murder.  It is said that the spectre of this headless soldier has been seen wandering the parade grounds and within the buildings on moonlit nights. * I have found no historical records to validate this story.*

 Photo © 2014 Marica Sutic

I continued my exploration of the building and grounds, taking numerous photographs; allowing my senses to guide me. I didn't capture any anomalies on film,  and I felt very comfortable throughout my exploration of the fort. At times I thought I heard a few odd sounds, but the winds were fierce coming off the nearby lake and I dismissed the sounds as mother nature being the cause. When I returned to the location of the event, I spoke to a number of paranormal teams who have investigated the site before. They told me that they captured a number of clear EVPs in the French Castle. Also, the sound of heavy boots coming from the upstairs level was heard and numerous shadow figures have been seen. Later that evening, a public investigation was being held at the fort. I did not participate and am waiting to hear from those that did as to what, if any, evidence was captured. I look forward to returning to this beautiful historic location in the nearby future.

Fort Pulaski: The History and the Haunts

Haunted Fort Pulaski: Located on Cockspur Island, Georgia, near the mouth of the Savannah River, stands a battered "monument of military ingenuity". This massive fortification, shaped like a truncated hexagon, played a critical role in the American Civil War. Named in honor of the "Soldier of Liberty", Casimir Pulaski,  the fort took nearly twenty years to complete construction and consisted of a moat, parade ground and two powder magazines. Fort Pulaski also served as the southern most destination along the many vast and intricate safe havens for slaves known as the Underground Railroad.

On April 10, 1862, under the command of Colonel Charles H. Olmstead, Confederate militia occupying the fort came under Union attack. After a 30 hour bombardment by the Union's innovative Parrott Rifle cannon and percussion shells, Colonel Charles H. Olmstead surrendered.

Today Fort Pulaski stands as a vivid reminder of these past events, including the story of The Immortal 600.

"To the dead and living comrades of the Immortal Six Hundred, Confederate officers, prisoners of war, who were confined in the stockade on Morris Island, South Carolina, under fire of our own guns shelling that island; and who were subsequently starved on rations of rotten corn meal and onion pickle at Fort Pulaski, Georgia, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, 1864-65, by order of Edwin M. Stanton, United States Secretary of War to all who remained true unto the end, under the terrible ordeal of fire and starvation, this history is affectionately inscribed with a comrades love. J. OGDEN MURRAY. "

These unimaginable events have imprinted the fabric of time, leaving energy to remain on the grounds.