Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This historic military post, established in 1827, is not only the oldest active United States Army post west of D.C., but also one of the most haunted forts in the country. From ghostly soldiers to tragic mothers, Fort Leavenworth has plenty of stories to chill your bones.

One of the most haunted places in Fort Leavenworth is the National Cemetery, which covers more than 36 acres and contains about 20,000 graves. Some of the graves date back to 1844, before the cemetery was officially consecrated in 1862. Many visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing voices, and feeling cold spots in the cemetery.

One of the most famous ghosts in the cemetery is Catherine Sutter, who died of pneumonia while searching for her lost children in 1880. Her husband, Hiram Sutter, was the sutler for the fort from 1841 to 1862. They lived with their two children, Ethan and Mary, in a home a few miles away from the fort. One winter day, they visited the fort and their children went off to gather firewood. They never returned.

Hiram and Catherine searched for days, but could not find any trace of them. Hiram eventually gave up and went home, but Catherine stayed at the fort, determined to find her children. She wandered around the fort every night, carrying a lantern and calling out their names. She died of pneumonia that winter and was buried at the cemetery.

The following spring, Ethan and Mary showed up at the fort, alive and well. They had fallen into the river and were swept away by the current. They were rescued by a group of Fox Indians, who took care of them until they could return them to their parents. Unfortunately, it was too late for Catherine.

Catherine's ghost still haunts the cemetery, looking for her children. Some people have seen her with her lantern, others have heard her voice or her sobbing. She is said to be harmless, but very sad.

Another ghost in the cemetery is Chief Joseph, a Nez Perce leader who was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Leavenworth for eight months in 1877. He witnessed the deaths of many of his fellow tribe members there and was never allowed to return to his homeland. He died in exile in 1904 and was buried in Washington state.

However, his spirit is said to roam Fort Leavenworth out of grief and bitterness. He is often seen emerging from the fog, wearing his regal headdress and robes. He does not interact with anyone, but seems to be lost and lonely.

The cemetery is also haunted by many soldiers from different wars and conflicts. Some are well-known, like General George Armstrong Custer, who was court-martialed at Fort Leavenworth in 1867 for leaving his post and mistreating his men. He is seen kneeling at various gravestones as if in prayer.

Others are unknown or forgotten, like a young Union soldier who appears to be about fourteen or fifteen years old. He has a large wound on his face and he approaches people as if to ask for help. When he gets close enough, he vanishes.

The soldiers are often seen wearing different uniforms from different eras. Some seem to be confused or injured, others seem to be angry or restless. They are usually seen at night or in dense fog.

The cemetery is not the only haunted place in Fort Leavenworth. The Rookery, a duplex built in 1832 and located at 12 and 14 Summer Place, is said to be haunted by several ghosts as well. It is the oldest house on the base and has been occupied continuously since it was built.

One of the ghosts is Father Fred, a parish priest who died in a fire that destroyed the original St. Ignatius Chapel in 1875. He is seen roaming around the house in his priestly robes, sometimes blessing people or objects.

Another ghost is Elizabeth Custer, the wife of General Custer. She lived in The Rookery for a while after her husband's death at Little Bighorn in 1876. She is seen wearing a black dress and veil, sitting by a window or playing piano.

A third ghost is Colonel Thomas Custer, General Custer's brother who also died at Little Bighorn. He is seen wearing his Medal of Honor around his neck and smoking a cigar.